Abstract: An industrial washer including structure for and method of automatically moving a cover of the industrial washer to permit rapid exhaust of washing fluid fumes from the washer to facilitate inspection and maintenance of the washer. The structure for removing the cover specifically includes independent rack and pinion means at opposite sides of covers at both ends of the washer for rolling the covers independently parallel to a conveyor moving engine blocks through the washer. The method of the invention includes selectively, independently rolling the covers parallel to the conveyor on mating track and rollers by the rack and pinion means to expose significant portions of the interior of the washer to rapidly exhaust fumes from the washer.