Steam cleaning the engine bay

[mndude07]

So my dad got this steam cleaner today (he wants to use it to clean crap off the oven, etc.) and I figured well...I can use this on my engine. I have only tried it on a small area and it took off a small amount of dirt, but not all of it. Will the steam be more effective if i first spray some sort of chemical on the engine parts, or am I just doomed to bust out the toothbrush?

[shadycb7]

So my dad got this steam cleaner today (he wants to use it to clean crap off the oven, etc.) and I figured well...I can use this on my engine. I have only tried it on a small area and it took off a small amount of dirt, but not all of it. Will the steam be more effective if i first spray some sort of chemical on the engine parts, or am I just doomed to bust out the toothbrush?

Truthfully what i do is i spray the entire engine bay down with some Castrol's Super Clean, let it soak for 5 minutes and then hose it off..My engine bays look MINT!...repeat if needed for grimey ass engine bays...

[cp[mike]]

i would imagine that letting engine degreaser sit on the dirt would help loosen the majority of it up, you could try "GUNK Engine Degreaser GEL" let it sit for a while (whatever it says on the can) then go over it with the steam cleaner

[Leung]

i just used that cheap shit at walmart or autozone. i sprayed it on let it sit for a bit and then went to town on it with a detailing brush.

well the other day i had the valve cover off so i had my fun with cleaning that also.

[jyoungblood87]

Simple Green from Autozone, Pep-boys, etc. is pretty good also...

[Accord R33]

simple green, dish soap, a rough sponge, and a pitcher of hot water works wonders

[mndude07]

thanks for the feedback guys, sounds like even with steam im still gonna have to scrub a little bit

[MRX]

greased lightning is the shit

[MadSpleen85]

Simple Green from Autozone, Pep-boys, etc. is pretty good also...

Simple Green is a little cheaper at Wal-Mart. Later

[midnightrayne]

engine brite and a power washer works wonders.

[hondawonderboy]

no!!! Don't do it! You'll get water in places you never thought it could go! It could be a disaster. Plus it could take off a lot of finish that may be under the dirt and grime.

[HondaB18]

no!!! Don't do it! You'll get water in places you never thought it could go! It could be a disaster. Plus it could take off a lot of finish that may be under the dirt and grime.

If he constantly sprays a ton of water in the electrical system then yes but a few light spray here and there should not be any problem. And if you are able to take off the finish from the engine then I'd say thats some cheap paint. Have you done this before? Have your engine paint peeled or came off? I am guessing you have not used Simple Green (or equilalent) before.

[johnson]

i always take it to the car wash and use the foam engine degreaser and pressure wash the bay..... i go when there aint too many peeps because everyonce in a while the car stalls for a bit..... not recommended but works great!!!

and for the little jobs, gotta go with brake cleaner!!!

[kelton]

if you know anybody who works at jiffy lube ask them to get you a can of there engine cleaner. it works great! i forget what its called tho.

[cp[mike]]

i always take it to the car wash and use the foam engine degreaser and pressure wash the bay..... i go when there aint too many peeps because everyonce in a while the car stalls for a bit..... not recommended but works great!!!

and for the little jobs, gotta go with brake cleaner!!!

those are both exactly what i do.

let degreaser soak then use the pressure washer. for my coupe's bay, i just let the gun run lightly, water only. only have to rinse it down

and i use brake cleaner outside, but if im washing it in the sink i usually use gojo.