Steam cleaning engine bay???

Supposed to be getting my engine steam cleaned this fri from a friend

How dodgy is this exactly and is there anything i can do to make it safer?

Just because it an older car im worrying a bit

Cheers

Do a search mate, not sure it's a good idea.

Better to cover up electrics with foil/clingfilm and apply a de-greaser with a paint brush, agitate and then use a hose to gently rinse.

Most places don't use steam cleaners anymore.

spray on some citrus degreaser, clean, then just hose off.

You need to cover up things like the air intake, battery etc with cling film/tinfoil first.

Check out http://www.detailingworld.com

some good info there.

Oooh, there's an echo in here

Obviously the way to go then as two of us have come up with almost identical methods.

Great minds think alike

I did mine with some degreaser and then the pressure washer ......... BIG mistake it took ages to dry out plus it started missing so it was a case off stripping it down and drying it all out , but at least i changed the plugs at the same time which was a plus .

Thats why you don't use steam cleaners/pressure washers.

Its the high pressure water/steam thats gets in everywhere.

I've done it plenty times using a gentle hose and never had a problem

(except for cut hands getting into all the hard to reach areas)

Cheers 4 that info guys dont wanna end up fkin the engine

wot kind of degreaser u use?

Will the hose water not get into engine and do damage?

I used Auto glym engine de-greaser or gunks quite good i've been told , i also used some plastic dressing after which gives it a nice shiney look if ya looking to just tart it up to flog it .

I use Gunk(?) degreaser and lots of kitchen roll.

yeah, gunk is really good.

Viro-sol is the daddy

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/10-Litres-Viro-Sol-Citrus-Cleaner-Degreaser_W0QQitemZ180273208451QQcmdZViewItem?hash=item180273208451&_trkparms=72%3A12%7C39%3A1%7C66%3A2%7C65%3A12&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14.l1318

DONT STEAM CLEAN!

i got my old NA done and had the throttle body off few days later with paper towels soaking up water puddles in the spark plug recesses. not nice, especially with misfire and the lark.

Just cover anything electrical with cling film and keep away from the valley between the cam covers. I did mine a month ago with autoglym machine cleaner and a karcher pressure washer, came up a treat and had no problems at all.

I use alloy wheel cleaner to bring the metal back to life

Remember the most important thing for cleaning your engine bay, go out and buy some good elbow grease you will need it. Cannot believe no one mentioned this to you.

DIY, then at least you're in control and you will get satisfaction if you make a good job. As said DO NOT steam clean the engine.

I must have steam cleaned, with the pressure wash set not literally on super heated steam, just very hot water, with traffic film remover in the tank as a degreasant, at least 12 MKIV's and they are still running fine. Just air blow out the plug wells and take it for a long drive to allow the engine bay heat and air flow to dry the rest out and it'll be fine.

I must have steam cleaned, with the pressure wash set not literally on super heated steam, just very hot water, with traffic film remover in the tank as a degreasant, at least 12 MKIV's and they are still running fine. Just air blow out the plug wells and take it for a long drive to allow the engine bay heat and air flow to dry the rest out and it'll be fine.

The guy whos doing it says the steam is 180 deg...i personally thot this was WAY too hih...what would you recommend?

Also wot is this traffic film remover?

So to round it off exatly which parts should be covered and with what?

I put a plastic bag over my air intake and battery then cover with tinfoil.

Then i wrap tinfoil round the alternator and dizzy cap (+end of the ht leads)

That should be enough

Where abouts is dizzy cap?

What temp should the steam be at roughly?

Also which places of the engine bay should i stay well away from?

 

Also which places of the engine bay should i stay well away from?

http://www.mkivsupra.net/vbb/showpost.php?p=2062850&postcount=18

http://www.mkivsupra.net/vbb/showpost.php?p=2062006&postcount=13

I use alloy wheel cleaner to bring the metal back to life

Why did i not think of that lol....would of saved me hours lol.

If its steam cleaning it will be fine, if its jet washing it will screw up your engine.

Steam cleaning it 3% water and 97% air, thats why the steam doesn't burn you.

Steam doesn't burn you ? Try holding your hand over a boiling kettle and get back to us (using the other hand to type:d)

its defo steam cleaning

so it should be ok then guys?

bit worried