Steam Cleaning

[choppa7]

I recently bought a steam cleaner from homebase. Its like a big tub of water with a hose and various attachments for cleaning stuff such as carpet and tiles in home.

Would this be a good idea to use it on the engine bay do you think if I got bored one afternoon or could it potentially damage "stuff" in there?

I say stuff as I'm not sure on how steam/water effects engine bays but since they're exposed to road water I'm sure it'd be ok - just after some reassurance

[smithy318i]

cover the electrical bits with plastic bags if your concerned.

main bits i would cover are the fusebox, coil, dizzy, and any alarm system.

[DaveD]

I was told that if you do it with the engine slightly warm it would dry out quicker!

[E30BeemerLad]

steam cleaning probably isn't as bad as letting a hooligan with a B&Q pressure washer lose on your engine bay, but would recommend bagging up any electrical bits and also the use of some WD40 spray on electrical bits can help to keep water from them

May invest in one of these things myself as the golf has a bit of oil and crap around the rocker cover, just need to find the source first

[kadettc]

Get some GUNK engine degreaser first and work it into crud with a paint brush or a stiff wheel brush. Make sure you take time going over and over again and then steam clean it all off after, covering electrical components as already explained......................

[edster]

Don't do it! car running fine ? don't go throught the pain of a clean but stuffed engine. My buddy steam cleaned his e30, no probs before, but now (even bagged all the sparkies) the car misfires, ecu went, inducted some steam down the inlets, & stuffed some sensors. Shi** idea! just use gunk & a cloth with some rag!

[tim-ix]

I've heard two schools of thought on this one. Either bag all electrical bits up or just keep the engine running the whole time you're steaming.

May invest in one of these things myself as the golf has a bit of oil and crap around the rocker cover, just need to find the source first

Check the engine breather. They clog up easily and spill shite all down the side of the engine.

[E30Mark]

I'm just a hooligan, i pressure wash all of my cars engines, never had a problem. Use a bit of common sense and everything will be fine, after all the engine is water / gas tight....

[snoops]

i normally keep the engine running