Want to steam clean my engine...nervous

[spta97]

I will be selling my Explorer soon as well as my fiancee's RX300. Both in great condition, but the engines are dirty.

I read THIS THREAD a while ago and 410Fortune outlined the proceedure for cleaning his engine.

I have had a costly experiance the last time I tried it with my 92 Sentra (plugs, wires, cap, rotor). I was thinking of instead of a hose to rinse, using a garden sprayer (the 2 gallon one you pump) and then drying things off with my leaf blower.

What to you think? I don't want to ruin anything on either of these cars but seeing the results on 410's explorer I have to try it. Also, I figure a garden sprayer would be akin to a rainy day (although I could be wrong).

 

[dkkne]

I own a detail shop and have been detailing for 12+ years. basically, stay away from spraying directly on the coil, plugs etc. I would use a quailty degreaser first, let it soak ( not in direct sunlight and on a cool engine) and let sit for 5 minutes or so. Then power wash the engine bay , again keepign the direct stream of the pressure washer from hitting the coil and any thign electrical. You can get right up close to the valve covers etc wthout harming them. Everything will get wet, coil and all, but if you stay away from directly spraying those items you will be fine.

The ONLY vehicle that I do not powerwash the engine bay on is the 4.6 and 5.4 F series Fords, as there plug wells like to fill up with water very very easily.

 

[Mbrooks420]

I have steamed my motor several times without any problem, and I'vew never covered anything. I just tried not to directly spray the connectors, the alternator, and the coil. This is a just a motor washing however, steam cleaning requires hot,pressurized water. I steam mine at about 300 degrees and 60-80 psi.

 

[spta97]

I've been doing more research online and found out the following:

1) It's a good idea to cover electrical components (like alternator / coil) with plastic bags or tin foil.

2) Stay away from petrolum based cleaners - use citrus based instead (this prevents white spots and damage to hoses.

3) Stay away from power washing.

I don't think I need to power wash because I'm hoping the cleaner and scrubbing will get rid of the dirt. I just plan to use the water to rinse.

Thoughts?

 

[aldive]

I would never steam clean. Use Simple Green and a brush.

Good luck ....

 

[Jakee]

I've been doing more research online and found out the following:

1) It's a good idea to cover electrical components (like alternator / coil) with plastic bags or tin foil.

2) Stay away from petrolum based cleaners - use citrus based instead (this prevents white spots and damage to hoses.

3) Stay away from power washing.

I don't think I need to power wash because I'm hoping the cleaner and scrubbing will get rid of the dirt. I just plan to use the water to rinse.

Thoughts?

It all boils down to what you fill compfortable doing. I've been cleaning my engines for 10 years without covering anything at all. Just like the other guys, I just don't spray things directly like the coil and alt. I've never once had a problem.

 

[Abom]

I used to work in a detail shop and we degreased / pressure washed engines all the time. Never covered anything, and we soaked everything, including wires, cap, alternator, whatever was there. We never had an issue at all.

I personally think the whole "be careful when washing an engine" is a bunch of hype. I've pressure washed my Ex's engine 3 times in the past month and a half (it was rather filthy when I bought it), and have had no issues.

If you are worried about the electronics, the simply disconnect the negative battery cable and wait a few hours until the engine is dry before you reconnect.

 

[spta97]

I used to work in a detail shop and we degreased / pressure washed engines all the time. Never covered anything, and we soaked everything, including wires, cap, alternator, whatever was there. We never had an issue at all.

I personally think the whole "be careful when washing an engine" is a bunch of hype. I've pressure washed my Ex's engine 3 times in the past month and a half (it was rather filthy when I bought it), and have had no issues.

If you are worried about the electronics, the simply disconnect the negative battery cable and wait a few hours until the engine is dry before you reconnect.

Well I have personally screwed up an engine so it's not hype (although this was over 10 years ago). I like the idea about disconnecting the battery - but you know I won't have that kind of patients

I think I will cover the electronics and air intake and give it a shot. Any thoughts on the citrus based vs. petrolum based cleaners? I was told the latter dulls aluminum and leaves a white residue.

 

[Abom]

Well I have personally screwed up an engine so it's not hype (although this was over 10 years ago). I like the idea about disconnecting the battery - but you know I won't have that kind of patients

I think I will cover the electronics and air intake and give it a shot. Any thoughts on the citrus based vs. petrolum based cleaners? I was told the latter dulls aluminum and leaves a white residue.

Fair enough, I mean, driving through a huge puddle while it's raining can warp your brake rotors if they're hot. I dunno, I just personally have never had an issue with pressure washing an engine, and I've seen lots of threads on the subject.

Citrus would naturally be less acidic, but then again, it will also be less effective on grease. All depends how dirty your engine bay is. I use Castrol Heavy Duty Engine Degreaser (the stuff in the purple spray bottle), and it's probably the most petrolum based acidic stuff you can get "off the shelf" at your local WalMart. I find it works great, no problems at all with the white residue claims. The only time I get residue is from water spots if I don't wipe the engine down afterwards.