Hello,
I went to the car wash /auto wash and washed the engine and under the car with water.
The car started without any problems. (The car is not new and I am not sure if it is waterproof.)
I have heard that washing the engine with water can damage the sensors and alternator. If they will/can fail, how long will it take for the problem to occur? Because I want to go on a trip next week.
Thanks in advance
You are fine. The engine compartments are designed to be wet and prevent water from doing damage. Carmakers anticipate spray washes and seal the wiring.
Thank you for your answer, but the car is not new and I am not sure if it is waterproof.
Engines get washed/sprayed down all the time for various reasons.
If the engine started and ran fine after washing it, there’s nothing to worry about.
Tester
I used to spray-wash my 50 year old truck’s engine on its weekly car wash, many times. Sometimes it would crank but not start immediately after, but waiting 15 minutes it would. If I placed water proof plastic around the distributor and alternator, then it always started.
On more modern cars, say 30 year old and newer, however, basically computers on wheels, so I wouldn’t suggest to ever spray-wash the engine.
You didn’t say what the year make and model is, but main thing is to not spray water directly into the carburetor, throttle body or whatever delivers air to the engine…
Also if old enough to still have a distributor, don’t get it wet, other than being careful to not deliberately spray directly in the engine, ie any dipstick hole or fluid cover ie master cylinder, power steering you should be good…
If you started it and drove away without turning any extra dash lights you are ok…