I need to pressure wash belt side of my engine

Tiny
DAVENOOB
  • MEMBER
  • 2013 CHEVROLET IMPALA
  • 3.6L
  • V6
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 175,000 MILES
My impala blew front main gasket and sprayed oil everywhere. I've fixed the gasket, changed belt, cleaned all the pulleys but the block is still covered in gunk. If I remove battery, belt, and upper radiator hose can I just spray the block(below the wiring) with engine degreaser and pressure wash as long as stream is pointing down towards the ground? I need to make sure no more leaks which is hard when covered in oil.
Wednesday, November 19th, 2025 AT 12:52 PM

7 Replies

Tiny
STEVE W.
  • MECHANIC
  • 15,231 POSTS
Get some of the foamy engine bright that is sold in the stores, get about 3 cans. Then don't use a pressure washer, just a regular garden hose with a sprayer nozzle. Run the engine a bit to start warming it up, shut it off, then douse it heavily with the cleaner. Now let it soak a while. Then rinse the belt area off and start the engine then rinse the rest of it off. Try to do this over gravel or with a tarp under the engine room, then toss some kitty litter or absorbent under it to catch the run-off. Once it's all rinsed off shut the engine off and leave the hood open to let as much evaporate as possible. If you have a fan that you can set to blow on the engine that also helps.
I've washed off a lot of engines this way. Using a pressure washer can get water into places it shouldn't get because it can blow water past seals and gaskets, the lower hose pressure generally doesn't. It can also show you if you have a vacuum leak somewhere, listen for the engine sound to change and steam to come out the exhaust if a leak draws in water.
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Wednesday, November 19th, 2025 AT 9:39 PM
Tiny
DAVENOOB
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Thanks!
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Thursday, November 20th, 2025 AT 9:51 AM
Tiny
DAVENOOB
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So my upper radiator hose completely blocks the belt area I want clean. So it needs to be removed. How much do I let the engine warm up and still be able to safely remove this hose? Should I let engine heat up with the radiator cap off so pressure doesn't build up making so I can't remove the hose? What would you suggest as a work around? I already have 3 cans of store brand engine degreaser. Will these work or are they safe for my application?
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Thursday, November 20th, 2025 AT 11:47 AM
Tiny
DAVENOOB
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Is this OK?
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Thursday, November 20th, 2025 AT 2:38 PM
Tiny
STEVE W.
  • MECHANIC
  • 15,231 POSTS
You should be able to wash around the hose without a problem. Water will wrap around it and rinse the oil off. I don't remove parts if at all possible.
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Thursday, November 20th, 2025 AT 10:42 PM
Tiny
DAVENOOB
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Thanks
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Friday, November 21st, 2025 AT 9:51 AM
Tiny
STEVE W.
  • MECHANIC
  • 15,231 POSTS
You are welcome.
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Friday, November 21st, 2025 AT 2:28 PM

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