Can I Steam Clean The Engine Myself?

peteking · March 31, 2008

First of all....the 4 posts below are, of course, accidental. I hit the 'Enter' button once, and all the sudden my screen blinks and I'm looking at 4 carbon copies of my original post. I'll go ahead and be the first to admit: "I'm an idiot!!" OK, moving on. I got a coupon from my truck dealer that says they can steam-clean my engine for 80 dollars. OK cool. But, my girlfriend has one of those portable kitchen/bathroom steam cleaners....who's to say I couldn't use that, and clean my engine myself? Any pros/cons? I'd probably still have to disconnect the battery......

ws6_guy · March 31, 2008

mask off the fuses, intake, alternator, and intake manifold, then try it.

C. Charles Hahn · March 31, 2008

Hell yeah you can use one of those "household" steamers. I use one all the time and I detail professionally:

peteking · April 1, 2008

OK, cool. I didn't think it'd be a big deal but ya never know. Always someone out there who knows more than you. Thanks Darren, Charlie!

silverbullet2005 · April 2, 2008

STEAM CLEAN

Most professional detailers use a chemical degreaser of some sort along with a power washer to clean the engine area underhood. I have a friend that has detailed cars professionally and now has his own detailing business and degreaser and a power washer is what he uses to "steam clean" the engine bay.

jnpaddison · April 2, 2008

be careful - i had a friend who had his duramax engine power-washed / cleaned and the attendant fried a computer module

review your engine compartment for modules which specifically state ' no powerwashing "

pennzoil29 · April 4, 2008

I just go to the Dollar store and get a bottle of Mean Green and spray the whole engine compartment down with it, let it sit for about 5 min and then hose it off. That reminds me, I need to do that.

GatorFan · April 5, 2008

Hell yeah you can use one of those "household" steamers. I use one all the time and I detail professionally:

Damn nice job Charlie. What types of "household" steamers are out there that I can do this? The last time I sprayed an engine down to clean it was my wifes 4Runner and I ended up having to let it sit for 2 days while the water dried. Damn rice-burner wouldn't start because something got wet so I haven't placed any H2O under the hood of either vehicle since.