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Engine cleaning & insurance
Posted by Rod W.
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Engine cleaning & insurance November 08, 2003 06:44AM |
Registered: 17 years ago Posts: 382 |
<HTML>I did my agent's Vette today. He's got a '99 black convertible. Very sweet. He wanted it done before he put it away for winter so in the spring, he could just start it up and drive his nice shiny & clean car. I'm the only one who touches it and he loves my work. Sends me some good biz, too!!!
Anyhow, we were B.S'n and I told him that I would power wash his engine in the spring since I was planning on starting to offer that service on a regular basis. He said that if anyone from my insurance company calls to ask what exactly I do, don't tell them that I do engine power washing. I asked why not. He said because carriers have had a lot of claims for water damage to engines. It seems that the water can get into places it shouldn't & cause problems several months down the road. Some of the claims are so bad that they end up replacing the whole engine. He said that if the carrier finds out I'm doing this, they'll change my classification from a detail shop to a body shop and my premiums will skyrocket!!! Carriers don't like to take on risks that are unpredictable and power washing qualifies as one of these risks.
Have any of you guys run into anything like this? Have any of you ever had a problem from power washing an engine? I'm thinking of not doing it now as it may not be worth the hassle and I'd sure hate to screw up a Ferrari or Benz engine. Yikes!!!I seem to recall talking to a another detail shop in the area that stopped engine washing due to insurance reasons. So, I guess it's not unheard of up here in Michigan.</HTML>
Anyhow, we were B.S'n and I told him that I would power wash his engine in the spring since I was planning on starting to offer that service on a regular basis. He said that if anyone from my insurance company calls to ask what exactly I do, don't tell them that I do engine power washing. I asked why not. He said because carriers have had a lot of claims for water damage to engines. It seems that the water can get into places it shouldn't & cause problems several months down the road. Some of the claims are so bad that they end up replacing the whole engine. He said that if the carrier finds out I'm doing this, they'll change my classification from a detail shop to a body shop and my premiums will skyrocket!!! Carriers don't like to take on risks that are unpredictable and power washing qualifies as one of these risks.
Have any of you guys run into anything like this? Have any of you ever had a problem from power washing an engine? I'm thinking of not doing it now as it may not be worth the hassle and I'd sure hate to screw up a Ferrari or Benz engine. Yikes!!!I seem to recall talking to a another detail shop in the area that stopped engine washing due to insurance reasons. So, I guess it's not unheard of up here in Michigan.</HTML>
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Re: Engine cleaning & insurance November 08, 2003 08:40AM |
Registered: 17 years ago Posts: 1,838 |
<HTML>Hi Rod:
I have never had a problem due to power washing. The only thing that did happen was I flooded a Volvo by wetting the spark plugs but after drying with a towel it started right up.
Never had a call months later for damage. Or any damage whatsoever. In my opinion, I believe detailing engines is totally safe. If it weren't safe then people would run into trouble driving over a big puddle or while driving in heavy rain.
Now damage could occur if someone aimed the pressure washer wand into the air intake inlet, hehe.</HTML>
Take care,
Brian
Precision Auto & Marine
Learn to detail boats! Visit www.detailtheboat.com
I have never had a problem due to power washing. The only thing that did happen was I flooded a Volvo by wetting the spark plugs but after drying with a towel it started right up.
Never had a call months later for damage. Or any damage whatsoever. In my opinion, I believe detailing engines is totally safe. If it weren't safe then people would run into trouble driving over a big puddle or while driving in heavy rain.
Now damage could occur if someone aimed the pressure washer wand into the air intake inlet, hehe.</HTML>
Take care,
Brian
Precision Auto & Marine
Learn to detail boats! Visit www.detailtheboat.com
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Re: Engine cleaning & insurance November 08, 2003 09:07AM |
Registered: 17 years ago Posts: 31 |
<HTML>The only time you should use caution is when doing older cars that have distributor caps. Another idea it to say you clean and dress the engine rather than pressure wash. Also to play it safe, remember that not every car you do needs to be pressure washed, a hose some chem's and a brush will do just fine.</HTML>
Shone A. Rowley
Mobil Brite
Previous Trainer: Auto Magic of Western NY
Shone A. Rowley
Mobil Brite
Previous Trainer: Auto Magic of Western NY
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Re: Engine cleaning & insurance November 08, 2003 09:11AM |
Registered: 17 years ago Posts: 31 |
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Re: Engine cleaning & insurance November 08, 2003 09:12AM |
Registered: 17 years ago Posts: 31 |
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Re: Engine cleaning & insurance November 08, 2003 09:13AM |
Registered: 17 years ago Posts: 1,838 |
<HTML>Shone has the right idea. That's especially popular on the high end cars. They are rarely ever in need of an engine pressure washing, from my experience that is. I do however, pressure wash the undersides sometimes if its really dirty.</HTML>
Take care,
Brian
Precision Auto & Marine
Learn to detail boats! Visit www.detailtheboat.com
Take care,
Brian
Precision Auto & Marine
Learn to detail boats! Visit www.detailtheboat.com
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Re: Engine cleaning & insurance November 08, 2003 10:49AM |
Registered: 17 years ago Posts: 31 |
<HTML><img src="[www.angelfire.com];
<img src="[www.angelfire.com];
Shone A. Rowley
Mobil Brite
Previous Trainer: Auto Magic of Western NY
![www.angelfire.com](http://www.angelfire.com/pro/srowley/DirtyEngine.jpg">){kind=link}
<img src="[www.angelfire.com];
![www.angelfire.com](http://www.angelfire.com/pro/srowley/CleanEngine.jpg"></HTML>){kind=link}
Shone A. Rowley
Mobil Brite
Previous Trainer: Auto Magic of Western NY
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Re: Engine cleaning & insurance November 09, 2003 04:19AM |
Registered: 17 years ago Posts: 117 |
<HTML>WHEN YOU PRESSURE WASH AN ENGINE YOU DONT USE FULL PRESSURE ( 500 - 1000 PSI ) IS MORE THEN ENOUGH THE REASON OF A POWER WASHER BECAUSE IT DOESNT SPRAY ALOT OF WATER. IF THE ENGINE IS REALLY DIRTY USE A PUMP UP SRAYER AND A GOOD DEGREASER AND SPRAY IT IN THERE ON HEAVY LET THE DEGREASER DWELL FOR 5 TO 10 MINS SCRUB AND APPLY MORE. WASH WITH POWER WASHER I USE 800 PSI AND APPROX 150 DEGREE WATER ANYTHING HOTTER WILL LEAVE TO MUCH CONDENSATION WHERE WATER DIDNT GET. THEN USE AN AIR COMPRESSER BLOW OUT ANY EXTRA WATER. FINISH YOUR DETAIL 3 - 5 HOURS LATER YOUR ENGINE SHOULD BE DRY AS A BONE. START YOUR ENGINE LET IT RUN RUN FOR 5 MINS SO IT IS WARM, THEN SHUT IT OFF APPLY DRESSING (WATER BASE ) EVENLY, MOP UP ANY PUDDLES, THEN SHUT THE HOOD AND TURN ENGINE ON AGAIN FOR 10 MINS THIS IS GOING TO BAKE ON THE DRESSING FOR A HIGH GLOSS</HTML>
PRECISION POWER WASHING & AUTO DETAILING
PRECISION POWER WASHING & AUTO DETAILING
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Re: Engine cleaning & insurance November 09, 2003 07:48AM |
Registered: 17 years ago Posts: 1,838 |
<HTML>Here's a perfect example of a high-end vehicle's engine compartment. Like Shone mentioned, not every car's engine needs to be pressure washed. Just a good cleaner and rinse.
Notice in this picture how well protected the engine is with the plastic engine covering. And also notice that this engine wasn't cleaned yet, requiring little cleaning attention but a good attention to detail.
<br>
<center>
<img src="[www.precision-online.com];
</center></HTML>
Take care,
Brian
Precision Auto & Marine
Learn to detail boats! Visit www.detailtheboat.com
Notice in this picture how well protected the engine is with the plastic engine covering. And also notice that this engine wasn't cleaned yet, requiring little cleaning attention but a good attention to detail.
<br>
<center>
<img src="[www.precision-online.com];
![www.precision-online.com](http://www.precision-online.com/MBsl500_0376.JPG">){kind=link}
</center></HTML>
Take care,
Brian
Precision Auto & Marine
Learn to detail boats! Visit www.detailtheboat.com
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Re: Engine cleaning & insurance November 10, 2003 03:05AM |
Registered: 17 years ago Posts: 382 |
<HTML>Wow!!! Thanks everybody for all your help. You guys are strictly A-list in my book!! Once again proving that this is the best detailing forum on the net.
I never even thought of not power washing an engine. Now, I have just used degreaser and waterlesss wash to clean under the hood using a lot of elbow grease. never thought of just taking the hose to it after degreasing!!! DOH!!! I will from now on though. It's great to have another option...especially one that was right in front of my face and won't cost anything extra, lol!!!</HTML>
I never even thought of not power washing an engine. Now, I have just used degreaser and waterlesss wash to clean under the hood using a lot of elbow grease. never thought of just taking the hose to it after degreasing!!! DOH!!! I will from now on though. It's great to have another option...especially one that was right in front of my face and won't cost anything extra, lol!!!</HTML>
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Re: Engine cleaning & insurance November 10, 2003 04:03AM |
Registered: 17 years ago Posts: 1,838 |
<HTML>I agree, this is the best forum. Your welcome for the help. I'm just glad this forum is always active and not an everyother day forum like a lot others. Some are even dead, with no answers or responses in months!</HTML>
Take care,
Brian
Precision Auto & Marine
Learn to detail boats! Visit www.detailtheboat.com
Take care,
Brian
Precision Auto & Marine
Learn to detail boats! Visit www.detailtheboat.com
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Re: Engine cleaning & insurance November 12, 2003 11:51PM |
Registered: 17 years ago Posts: 73 |
<HTML>power washing....I would say be careful...Some engines dont take to water well..usually you find out the hard way...Vettes, landrovers, and some mercedies, and any engine that has the plugs mounted on the top..usually on in-line 6s..I belive saturn has this style engine as well..usually the plugs will be in a "well" with sometimes a so called water tight seal some have no preventive measure to stop water from pooling up in there...Water can get in easier than it can get out..it will stay there for months and no one will know it till the plugs start to arc causing it to missfire...then the engine light comes on then the mechanic find water in the engine..the the 90's vettes were sensitive to water as well..the new ones probably arent so bad...even low pressure water can do this..One thing you can do is talk to some mechanics at the various dealers cuz they have seen it from their dealer prep dept.s...they can instruct you on what to look out for...
another pressure washing problem is poping off paint...if you put the stream to close to a rock chip or any break in the paint water can get under the paint and pop off a chunk..repaints are usually worse for this cuz the prep work before painting may not create a good bond with the new paint.
hope that helps</HTML>
another pressure washing problem is poping off paint...if you put the stream to close to a rock chip or any break in the paint water can get under the paint and pop off a chunk..repaints are usually worse for this cuz the prep work before painting may not create a good bond with the new paint.
hope that helps</HTML>
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Re: Engine cleaning & insurance November 13, 2003 04:20AM |
Registered: 17 years ago Posts: 1,838 |
<HTML>pmack:
If you look in the pic that I posted you'll see that the upper end of the engine is protected and covered with the plastic covering. Most high end cars are now protected in basically the same manner.</HTML>
Take care,
Brian
Precision Auto & Marine
Learn to detail boats! Visit www.detailtheboat.com
If you look in the pic that I posted you'll see that the upper end of the engine is protected and covered with the plastic covering. Most high end cars are now protected in basically the same manner.</HTML>
Take care,
Brian
Precision Auto & Marine
Learn to detail boats! Visit www.detailtheboat.com
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Re: Engine cleaning & insurance November 14, 2003 12:18AM |
Registered: 17 years ago Posts: 32 |
<HTML>i clean engines with every complete but never power wash them.like every one said,it's not nessasary.older cars i cover the dist and generator with aluminum foil.i learned my lesson from a freind of mine who power washed a alfa romeo motor...started it up and there was water in the motor.it blew the intake right off the engine lol woops!</HTML>
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Re: Engine cleaning & insurance November 14, 2003 02:08AM |
Registered: 17 years ago Posts: 1,838 |
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Re: Engine cleaning & insurance November 14, 2003 03:15AM |
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Re: Engine cleaning & insurance November 14, 2003 03:22AM |
Registered: 17 years ago Posts: 751 |
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Re: Engine cleaning & insurance November 14, 2003 03:50AM |
Registered: 17 years ago Posts: 382 |
<HTML>What kind of dressing do you guys use? I know Brian likes the Auto Magic and may give that a try. What else do you use and what do you like about it?
And does anyone else use a release for engine cleaning? What a great idea!!! Maybe you could post a copy of that release, Delon (sorry if I got the name wrong) and give us newer guys some idea of how you worded and formatted it.</HTML>
And does anyone else use a release for engine cleaning? What a great idea!!! Maybe you could post a copy of that release, Delon (sorry if I got the name wrong) and give us newer guys some idea of how you worded and formatted it.</HTML>
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Re: Engine cleaning & insurance November 14, 2003 03:56AM |
Registered: 17 years ago Posts: 751 |
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Re: Engine cleaning & insurance November 14, 2003 05:05AM |
Registered: 17 years ago Posts: 382 |
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Re: Engine cleaning & insurance November 14, 2003 05:08AM |
Registered: 17 years ago Posts: 1,838 |
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Re: Engine cleaning & insurance November 14, 2003 09:49AM |
Registered: 17 years ago Posts: 31 |
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Re: Engine cleaning & insurance November 14, 2003 05:19PM |
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Re: Engine cleaning & insurance November 14, 2003 10:47PM |
Registered: 17 years ago Posts: 117 |
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Re: Engine cleaning & insurance November 15, 2003 01:24AM |
Registered: 17 years ago Posts: 1,838 |
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Re: Engine cleaning & insurance November 16, 2003 02:19AM |
Registered: 17 years ago Posts: 32 |
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Re: Engine cleaning & insurance November 17, 2003 11:08PM |
Registered: 17 years ago Posts: 117 |
<HTML>BRIAN
SUMMIT DRESSING IS GOOD IT IS A CONCENTRATE DILUTE 1- 3 FOR A HIGH GLOSS 1 - 5 FOR A SATIN SHEEN BUT VERY EXPENSIVE $33.00 A GALLON. I ONLY GO TO CARBRITE ONLY IN AN EMERGENCY. THE ONLY CARBRITE DEALER IN NJ IS NEAR ONE OF THE TGI FRIDAYS WHERE I DO POWER WASHING WORK FOR IS IN BELLVILLE EXIT 141 OFF THE PARKWAY.</HTML>
PRECISION POWER WASHING & AUTO DETAILING
SUMMIT DRESSING IS GOOD IT IS A CONCENTRATE DILUTE 1- 3 FOR A HIGH GLOSS 1 - 5 FOR A SATIN SHEEN BUT VERY EXPENSIVE $33.00 A GALLON. I ONLY GO TO CARBRITE ONLY IN AN EMERGENCY. THE ONLY CARBRITE DEALER IN NJ IS NEAR ONE OF THE TGI FRIDAYS WHERE I DO POWER WASHING WORK FOR IS IN BELLVILLE EXIT 141 OFF THE PARKWAY.</HTML>
PRECISION POWER WASHING & AUTO DETAILING
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