Dear Tom and Ray:

About a year ago, I purchased a 1991 Ford F-150 pickup from my local Ford dealer's used car lot. The truck had about 45,000 miles and a fuel injected V8 engine. When I first saw the truck, the engine compartment was absolutely spotless, I assumed from their detailing shop. Now, the engine is slightly dirty and I asked the same dealer's service department about doing an engine cleanup. They were adamant about NOT cleaning the engine due to the electronics. What's the story here? Wayne

Tom: All of the important electrical connections under the hood are weather tight, Wayne. Think about it. Lots of water gets up into the engine compartment whenever you drive in the rain, and that doesn't stop your car, does it?

Ray: Of course, you could make the engine stall if you really soaked the plug wires or distributor. But you certainly won't do any permanent damage to them. In a hour or so, when they dry off, the truck will run fine.

Tom: So wash to your heart's content, Wayne. These guys at the dealership are all wet.

How can you tell if a used car is in good condition -- or even OK, for that matter? Find out by ordering Tom and Ray's pamphlet "How to Buy a Great Used Car: Things That Detroit and Tokyo Don't Want You to Know." Send $3 and a stamped (55 cents), self-addressed, No. 10 envelope to Used Car, PO Box 536475, Orlando, FL 32853-6475.

© 1994 by Tom and Ray Magliozzi and Doug Berman Distributed by King Features Syndicate, Inc.

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