Engine bay steam cleaning...

[Mako]

My engine bay isn't exactly filthy, but I have a leaking rocker cover gasket and so have oil and road dirt in there. Once I replace it, I was thinking of an engine bay steam-clean.

On some cars I've owned in the past, that was seriously bad ju-ju because of electrics, (for example, the K-Series in the Mk2 Coupe and Mk3 has the ECU mounted in there ).

If I got this done, is there anything I should protect specifically? Or would you advise not doing it at all and just using degreaser and an old toothbrush at home?

 

[Procomm]

never done it but I would suggeswt removing the battery and the IMRC

 

[Mako]

I don't have an IMRC because I am two cylinders short of a proper engine...

But I can see the point of removing the battery, as long as everything is properly dry before it's reconnected. Anything specific I should isolate that doesn't dry out so easily?

 

[spjmorris]

I don't have an IMRC because I am two cylinders short of a proper engine...

you got that right!!

have always shied away from this kind of cleaning ever since I saw a nearly new car years ago that kept starting itself up over and over

that and, well, you just can't beat the satisfaction you get from doing it yourself

 

[Procomm]

you got that right!!

have always shied away from this kind of cleaning ever since I saw a nearly new car years ago that kept starting itself up over and over

that and, well, you just can't beat the satisfaction you get from doing it yourself

Maybe you would like the satisfaction of doing my engine bay YOURSELF

 

[spjmorris]

sorry chap, hands well full at the mo with my own, go on get in there and roll yer sleeves up!

 

[Mako]

ROFL at both of you.

 

[Procomm]

ha ha mine doesnt need doing yet

 

[Pid_16V]

I had one engine bay steam cleaned a few years back. It was a 2.0ltr sierra TC. The car took 30 mins to get started afterwards, and when i got moving i was fighting a wide open throttle, no matter what i did, and the only way i could stop at traffic lights was to turn of the ignition. I have since thought maybe the tps system was shorted out.

 

[Mako]

That's exactly the sort of thing I mean, Alan. Looking around, I see nothing but horror stories from people doing this.

Toothbrush, Auto Glym and a watering can it is, then...

 

[MaxFlow]

Hi Mako, What about using a rag soaked in gunk and just wipe it round the bay ect,. might do the trick! but wear some gloves.

 

[localloon]

Hi Mako, What about using a rag soaked in gunk and just wipe it round the bay ect,. might do the trick! but wear some gloves.

That "gunk" is good shizzle!

 

[Mako]

Hi Max - I have the AutoGlym spray degreaser (purple label) which is a bit more gentle. Coug's engine bay isn't so nasty that is needs something as heavy as Gunk...I hope.

But I do have some Gunk - which I've never needed to use - so if it comes to it I could use that.

 

[froggy]

Autosmart tardis is great, use it on exhaust headers and swing arm on the bike.

 

[Mako]

Autosmart tardis is great, use it on exhaust headers and swing arm on the bike.

Never heard of that but will look it up, ta.

 

[spjmorris]

Gunk seconded here, but then....my cat was in a much worse state than a lot of others out there
as others have said, don't forget the marigolds

 

[Mako]

I need to take a pic of it tomorrow. All I can say is that compared to the rest of the car...

 

[Tophat]

Autosmart tardis is great, use it on exhaust headers and swing arm on the bike.

Sounds great stuff froggy I too will have to have a look for it. Any chance of a photo of the bike as evidence of its effectiveness??

 

[Mako]

Can't provide an "after" pic, but here's a couple views of my filthy donk (stop tittering at the back) which is in desperate need of a clean;

The observant among you will notice I've sprayed plastic seal over the ignition components. I've replaced the plugs and leads since.

 

[spjmorris]

yeah can see why you want to do that now, get yourself a couple of decent length baby bottle brushes, not the round type but the ones that look like long toothbrushes (these are also great for doing the alloys)