I'm going to go in for my 30K service in a thousand or so miles. Any particular reason I should not steam clean my engine? Not sure the dealer would even do this but I have steam cleaned engines in the past and it really makes the engine look nice(r). If I do steam clean the engine, can/should I take that cover off? I believe that cover is more for aesthetic purposes; doesn't necessarily protect anything. Thanks for the input. Yes, I'm posting a lot today; very few meetings scheduled.

 

I personally wouldn't do it. I think the potential for damage is greater than the benefits.

 

What's wrong w/ Simple Green [or any automotive degreaser] and a little bit of elbow grease? Spray down the engine bay with simple green and let it soak for a few minutes, then scrub any areas that look particularly nasty and just hose it all away. I then turn the car on with the hood closed and let the engine warm up to get rid of most of the water, and dry off the rest with a towel/sponge.

 

*COUGH*diy*COUGH*

If there isnt one already could someone make one? :D i've never steam cleaned and spraying pressurized water from a hose -directly- into my engine bay just sounds like asking for trouble....

 

You could generally get away with steam cleaning or pressure washing engines back in the old days, well before all of the sensors and computers showed up. Personally, I would not let any moisture touch any of the electrical connectors or electronics in any modern automobile I own. It's just not worth the risk of possible rust, corrosion or any flaky electrical connections that would likely confuse the OBC and make the engine run poorly, or not at all. Even if you got away with it initially, you might be setting yourself up for future headaches.

1.3L

 

Concur. Steam cleaning was fine in the good old days, but far too many computer/sensors, other electronics to risk it these days.

 

Message received. No steam clean for my 8. Thx. danH

 

So what's the proper way to clean an engine then?

 

Agree with 1.3L. There's just too much electronics in the engine bay to risk steam or pressure washing. Even if you're successful, you're just asking for corrosion and electrical connector problems later on. If you insist, you should cover as much electrical stuff as you can before you start.

 

Or just get one of those electronic safe spay and spray it all over .... let it dry.

Few bucks will clean your thing, without any worries.

 

LOL...I thought you were talking about steam cleaning the inside of the engine.

Quite a few in the rotary community acutally do and swear by it. I have seen a few DIYs through the year but don't really know how to do it myself.

 

I've been pressure washing my engine for a while now, from my 68 fairlane to my 89 civic to my 98 mustang to 2004 rx-8.

My dad also does it to all his cars, which include a 2002 jetta, 2004 TSX and a 91 alfa 194.

None of those cars have/had any problems because of pressure washing. Don't worry about it.

 

I pressure wash mine, try to hit electronic parts lightly and leave the hood open woith some sunshine for awhile afterwards, no problems so far.

 

yeah, if you put the pressure washer on the wide angle stream like the car wash does, you won't have any issues - even over the electronics.

 

you don't even have to pressure wash it. the dirt that gets on our engines isn't really caked on there. just spray it down with some degreaser and simply hose it off. run it so the water evaporates from the engine's heat.

 

i have wanted to do this but it does sound scary, what about just spraying it with a do- it-your self car wash, not steam cleaning by just a high pressure hose on the low cycle?

 

Uh--can you say "not advised"?

What is wrong with some elbow grease???

 

I would say you leave the cover and not take them off when steam cleaning the engine. When i used to own rx8 my younger brother got the engine bay pressure (water) cleaned.... nothing happened, that was a relief... though would not recommend anyone doing this intentionally.

 

4 and a half year bump, well played sir

 

I have been pressure washing my 04' since day one. I use the degreaser setting, spray, let it sit, spray it off with the pressure washer rinse, then I use the spot free rinse to assure it looks clean after it dries. I just make sure I don't spray one area directly or too long and I stay away from exposed connectors.

This is all done hot of course and you can also do it running and let it dry running to be safe.

 

4 year bump FTW!!!
I have cleaned my engine just using a hose and degreaser. Haven't had any issues! Just covered my alternator with foil, sprayed engine with degreaser, let sit for 5-10 and spray off! Then start the car and dry off any flat surfaces (and the little waffle pattern UIM!) with a sponge or cloth.
et voila!! shiny engine bay!!!

PS a little elbow grease is recommended for those **** retentive folks

 

I find simple green works the best. I wait for a hot sunny day, disconnect the battery an go to town on it. After it's clean I just let the engine run to dry, and use a rag for things like the intake or anything else that collected puddles of water.

-Shawn

 

I would never do this to my engine. Something happens after pressure washing... nahhhhhh, forget it. I'll just leave it as is.

 

They have this magical stuff called engine cleaner or engine degreaser. Works wonders you should try it.