Using Power Wash Equipment

All personnel involved with power washing equipment should observe the following precautions when cleaning under hood areas or operating in proximity to other vulnerable components:

Whenever possible, do NOT use high pressure washing equipment or steam cleaners. A hose connected to a cold water supply and provided with a spray nozzle should be adequate.

When there is no alternative to the use of power washing equipment:

1. Turn the Pressure Regulator to a LOW setting.

2. When using a steam cleaner, ensure that the maximum Temperature Setting does not exceed 90°C (194°F).

3. Do not bring the nozzle close to electrical connectors, electrical components such as generator, starter motor, fuel injection and ignition components, or relay & fuse housings. The minimum distance of the nozzle from such components should never be less than 1 meter, preferably 1.5 meters (3-4 feet).

4. Do not aim the water/steam jet directly at any electrical component or other vulnerable item. If necessary, provide local protection for components by wrapping them with plastic or other waterproof sheeting.

5. Avoid prolonged spraying of license plates. High pressure hot water can strip paint from license plates.

6. Avoid spraying door and window seals, and the seal surrounding the lid of the luggage compartment. A high pressure water jet may distort or damage the seals.

7. Avoid soaking of hood liner panels and other nonmetallic sound-deadening materials. These materials may absorb considerable quantities of water and drop out of position from the weight of the absorbed water. The recent recall R469 (bulletin 76-128) addresses this problem on 1994 XJ12 vehicles.