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steam cleaning

ray stobbs

New member
hi whats your thoughts on steam cleaning the engine and bay ive been warn against it because it forces water in to places not ment to go but my engine is covered in wax oil and all the dust just seems to stick to it [:)
 
I used to sell cars in a former life. The car washers used to steam clean all the engines but half of them used to conk out due to either water getting where is shouldn't or the pressure knocking a lead off somewhere.

Maybe try posting this in the concours section of the forum, although they might suggest a tooth brush and a large tin of elbow grease [:D]
 
Always pressure washed my cars and engine bays, never had a problem. However looking at the modern stuff, my A3 for example the backs of the plugs and wiring looms are not sealed with grommets etc like they used to, so old stuff yea, modern no.

kevin.

 
I would have thought steam cleaned was better than jet washed [&:] ..... not sure exacly how much water is involved with steam cleaning! perhaps someone can explain?
 
I use a steam cleaner or hot water washer as they are now known, on the new and older cars, just put something in the air intake and steam it off, dont forget to remove rag or plastic from air intake after cleaning. I allways blow off the engine with an airline after cleaning. It,s the only way if your looking for oil leaks. regards Berny.
 
We have a used car business. We have started cleaning all our engines now as the presentation is fantastic. It's a tricky one though and you can't win!!
We get 'WOW look at the engine, you could eat your dinner off it'!
OR
'OH, you have had the engine cleaned to hide all the oil leaks'!![8|]

However, because we take great pride in the presentation of our cars, we don't like people to open the bonnet and find a dirty, greasy mess!!
We warm the engine up, then spray the whole bay with a degreasing agent and then Power Wash the engine.
We always leave the car running throughout the process and then leave it running for a good 30 mins afterwards to dry off. Every now and then, some moisture gets into the ignition and it will run rough for a few mins, but usually, they are fine and look fantastic afterwards.
We do however specialise in German cars which are probably a little more robust than say French ones!!

Having said all that................would I jet wash my 911 engine..............er I don't think i'm brave enough!![:D]
 
Lovetts steam cleaned my 2.7 911 to find an oil leak 25 years ago. Result was new engine loom and alternator required. (Oh, it was probably faulty, Sir, and would probably have blown anyway)

Oh, and the leak ? A 50 pence seal around the filler tube.

So, although we regularly jet wash our Landrover defender (diesel) engine with no ill effects, I would never steam clean another 911 engine. Better to use plenty of elbow grease and TLC, and don't let the crud build up in the first place.

 
Like anything in life ..do it will care and consideration as you have components that need lubrication and others that will rust if stripped clean.

Throttle linkages for one ..they need protecting before cleaning or at least re lubricating after. Alternators & the Fan hub bearing , belt sensor on the 964 etc etc . If you super clean these with a jet/steam wash and you will rip the bearings dry in no time.

On the 964 we have quite a few metal baffles ..Porsche paint here is rubbish .Strip it off while cleaning and it will rust ..so sometimes the oil helps to protect.

Yes I do jet/steam clean my 964 engine but not weekly and I certainly lubricate all the necessary parts, but I keep it moderatory clean as I'm not selling the car so its not needing to be spotless, more to remove the main dirt that has accumulated yearly.

Personally if I'm buying a car i like to see a dirty engine as you can a lot about it.
Super clean engine bays when buying only put me off, as what are you hiding ....~Thats the mechanical mind over the presentation mind.
But a clean and presented bay with lightly used dirt is fine and the perfect world..ie a cared for engine bay .
 

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