Steam cleaning the engine bay

[Oldromola]

I know the generally perceived wisdom is NOT to steam clean an engine/engine bay, but I wondered whether any of you have tried it on a Stag. One idea that has often been mooted is to keep the engine running during the cleaning.

Feedback would be most interesting.

[Guest]

imported post

Robert 2 Stags wrote:

I know the generally perceived wisdom is NOT to steam clean an engine/engine bay, but I wondered whether any of you have tried it on a Stag. One idea that has often been mooted is to keep the engine running during the cleaning.

Feedback would be most interesting.

Hi Robert, between the starter, alternator and ignition (electronic ? ) I think I would avoid that one, unless you're sure you can bag and waterproof everything, difficult with the alternator in particular. Autoglym do a very good, water soluable engine cleaner, I get very good results with that and a paint brush. Martin.

[marshman]

imported post

Steam cleaning or pressure washing?

What are you trying to achieve by a steam clean/pressure wash? They are pretty aggressive on any flaky paint. If it is just to degrease the engine bayI would give the whole lot a good drenching in a degreaser, I use Jizer, use a small stubby paint brush to work it into the nooks and crannies, leave it to soak for 10 mins then rinse off with a hose pipe, then go for a good long drive to dry everything out. Then spray the engine with WD40 or similar because the degreaser will leave any baremetal clean and it will start to tarnish/rust immediately.

If you do go ahead then I wouldn't worry too much about the alternator and starter they can cope with just about anything. I would cover the distributor. The biggest issue is driving water into the electrical connectors and fuse box. If its not dried out properly then the problems start. If you are uncertain don't do it and do asI described above.

Having said all that I regularly blast my Escort van and Land Rover under the bonnet with a pressure washer and they have never suffered any ill effects - they are both diesels though

Roger

[european voyager]

imported post

I steam clean under my bonnet at least once a year , I keep the revs at a hard tick over and spray the electrics with wd 40 . ive got lumenition on it . I wouldnt give the distributer or luminition box a direct hit though.
and then I give it a good blast down the road to dry her out.
im not saying its correct but thats what I do , and Ive had her just short of 20 years.

[Guest]

imported post

european voyager wrote:

I steam clean under my bonnet at least once a year , I keep the revs at a hard tick over and spray the electrics with wd 40 . ive got lumenition on it . I wouldnt give the distributer or luminition box a direct hit though.
and then I give it a good blast down the road to dry her out.
im not saying its correct but thats what I do , and Ive had her just short of 20 years.

Another thought, although it might seem like a joke, any oil, of whatever sort, that sprays along underneath, IS keeping rust at bay, such agressive cleaning will take it off. If it's just a matter of a gungy engine bay, then stick with what Marshman and I have said. If however, you're trying to shift old rust proofing and / or underseal, pressure / steam cleaning won't work. Whatever you decide, good luck, and let us know how it went. Martin.

[singapore stag]

imported post

Hi I used a Halfords de-greaser and hosed the engine and bay down, firstly i masked off all electrical parts with plastic bags ( tesco's are the best ) and masking tape,believe me the engine and bay were really bad,put me off the car, people used to comment on it. What do you think of the results? took a lot of elbow grease and time.

[STAG1973]

imported post

Hi Sukh

Wow you have done well, i do like your chrome rocker covers and other shiny bits,so areyou planning toenter the concours at the national day

Adrian

[DJT]

imported post

Very tidy and smart Sukh. But what's that tubular object between your header tank and air cleaner?

Dave

[singapore stag]

imported post

DJT wrote:

Very tidy and smart Sukh. But what's that tubular object between your header tank and air cleaner?

Dave

It was there when I bought the car, never got round to investigate, I think it is some kind of that silly gadgets that are suppose to enhance perfomance,perhaps? or maybe petrol treater, writing on it is faded so don't really know. Will show it to someone in the "know" about these things.

Thanks....Sukh

[Guest]

imported post

singapore stag wrote:

DJT wrote:

Very tidy and smart Sukh. But what's that tubular object between your header tank and air cleaner?

Dave

It was there when I bought the car, never got round to investigate, I think it is some kind of that silly gadgets that are suppose to enhance perfomance,perhaps? or maybe petrol treater, writing on it is faded so don't really know. Will show it to someone in the "know" about these things.

Thanks....Sukh

Hiya, engine bay looks great Sukh. That's one of those fake lead substitute devices that amazingly you can still buy. That looks like the one supposed to "infuse" the petrol with tin. When the addative market was tested, these people refused to allow their products to be tested and compared, I wonder why ? Martin.

[singapore stag]

imported post

Well I did say someone in the "know" will identify it, thanks Martin. I will remove it ,it will only scratch my roc... opps nearly wrote rocker covers( someone on the forum does not like them being called that)cam covers.

[STAG1973]

imported post

OOOHHH your right cam covers...

Adrian

[whereufromnosecity]

imported post

Looking good Suki

I must get round to doing mine, also the outside as i seem to half the worlds population of flies stuck to the front