I have got to wash my radiator, clean out some of the bugs. The engine has a nice collection of live oak leaves, bugs, moths and dust and i want to wash it as well. The COPs look to be sealed much better than they were on the 5.4 but I was thinking about putting some duct tape across the top. Have you washed yours? Any tips?

 

-removed'clown' post-

 

I usually just hose it off when i wash the truck but not directing any water towards the computer. using a pressure washer i'd imagine would cause issues

The land cruiser gets sprayed a little heavier than everything else since i'm still open fenders up front, i get mud and dirt thrown up a lot. Runs perfect afterwards, never had an issue but i also water proofed all my wiring when i re-wired the thing.

 

I asked a mod about moving it and his advice was to leave it where it is since it can only apply to 2011 and 2012 models.

Good suggestion, though.

 

Since you're old, when you ask yourself about these things does your wife ever think you are losing your mind and threaten to put you in a home?

 

-removed clown post-

 

It is possibly not universal due to the way the COP is constructed and the way the hole is sealed off as stated in my original post. The question applies to the 5.0 in the 2011 and 2012 trucks.

I need help and all I get are clowns!

 

How much of the crud could be blown off with high pressure air? I doubt a 2011 has too much oil on it unless you're pretty sloppy when changing it.

 

During the week, I live deep in the East Texas woods about 5 miles from a state highway. It's a very sandy area, lots of live oak trees, and bugs. Once I reach a highway, I go through some river bottoms. So, I have lots of bugs on the engine, leaves and sand. There is no oil. I have blown it off to get the loose stuff, but I want to wash it off to get all the sand and dust off.

In 8 months, I have put 22,500 on her so she stays on the move. I can not have her down, so was just wondering about the COPs and the way they are protected better than the 5.4. I think if I was it when the engine is cold and cover the COPs, I will be fine. I never cleaned the 5.4 as I could not take a chance, just wiped it off as best possible.

 

Clowns? i guess i'll take that as a compliment seeing i still have hair

 

I rinsed off my old 5.4s before and always used a pressure washer and degreaser. The pressure washer doesn't put out the volume of water as the hose does and once it gets more than a foot or so past the nozzle it's nothing more than a mist. A hose will dump a ton of water which will pool up in the low places (plug holes etc) which can cause problems. I always stuck to hitting the block, heads, and sides of the engine bay. If there was a wire nearby I avoided it and used a wet rag to wipe down the top side of the motor. Other than looking nasty I doubt a little dust and sand will hurt anything.

 

wrap them in plastic bags. If you want to feel even more comfortable take them out after you clean the engine bay and blow the plug hole and coil off with compressed air.

 

Ok, success. Used the air hose to blow out everything loose and the larger bugs in the radiator. Then took it to the car wash. Wrapped the PCM with a bag and put a couple of duct tape strips across the COPs. Sprayed it with Windex. Used the Spot Free Rinse which is low pressure and sprayed it off. Looks much better now.

 

I have been detailing cars for 10 years. Spray everything down with degreaser, scrub down any heavy soils, and spray it down with a pressure washer. As long as you dont focus the water on an area you dont want to get soaked you shouldnt have any issues.
Thats the way I always clean engines and have never had a problem.

Looks like you got it taken care of

 

i wash my 2011 5.0 every 3rd wash or so with no problems. never cover up anything. but like KdubyaH said just don't focus the water in one area to long and you'll be good.