cleaning the engine
Discussion
I looked at those after your last mention jay, but was put off by the fact that it said do not operate at more than an angle of 45 degrees, which, without any hose type attachment might be a bit tricky. I think I might end up getting one of the £70 Vax steam cleaners complete with hose 
Al
The model I use is an Earlex SC165 - got it in B&Q (or it might have been Homebase) for around 20 pounds a couple of years ago - basically it's a plug in water container with a heater which boils the water to produce steam and allows you to use numerous hoses and attachments - the sealed steamer sits on the ground or horizontal surface and the hose allows you to use jet nozzle attachments to clean around small areas - works a treat for under bonnet and around suspension, etc. It has attachments for wallpaper stripping and steam cleaning carpets, etc. so could be usefull inside the cockpit area as well.
Jay
PS I imagine it could be very useful around the home too but I keep mine tucked away in the garage cupboard - just in case!
The model I use is an Earlex SC165 - got it in B&Q (or it might have been Homebase) for around 20 pounds a couple of years ago - basically it's a plug in water container with a heater which boils the water to produce steam and allows you to use numerous hoses and attachments - the sealed steamer sits on the ground or horizontal surface and the hose allows you to use jet nozzle attachments to clean around small areas - works a treat for under bonnet and around suspension, etc. It has attachments for wallpaper stripping and steam cleaning carpets, etc. so could be usefull inside the cockpit area as well.
Jay
PS I imagine it could be very useful around the home too but I keep mine tucked away in the garage cupboard - just in case!
Edited by Jay Ayegees on Saturday 5th May 20:25
I worry about you sometimes Dave 
Jay Ayegees said:
- the sealed steamer sits on the ground or horizontal surface and the hose allows you to use jet nozzle attachments to clean around small areas -
I'll have another look. the B&Q one just had a fixed 12" ish nozzle and Argos had three similar one around £30. The only one with a hose was as i said, the £70 Vax which looked a good piece of kit ... er, as I also want it for doing the kitchen floor!!!!
(I'm working on being allowed to go to PistonFest
) Al
Yeah that's the secret - small easily directed steam jet that allows a bit of precision.
I'm talking here about general detail cleaning up around awkward to get at places - not industrial scale degreasing of a caked-in oily muck engine.
Of course for a badly neglected engine bay you'll have to start with degreaser and a carefully applied water jet before moving onto detail cleaning around tricky components where alot of water or steam would cause problems.
Jay
Yeah that's the secret - small easily directed steam jet that allows a bit of precision.
I'm talking here about general detail cleaning up around awkward to get at places - not industrial scale degreasing of a caked-in oily muck engine.
Of course for a badly neglected engine bay you'll have to start with degreaser and a carefully applied water jet before moving onto detail cleaning around tricky components where alot of water or steam would cause problems.
Jay
im'e no better Dave 
Careful use of a steam cleaner or preferrably a cold pressure washer is perfectly ok when theyre used sensibly. If degreaser is applied first and left to soften things up, then a cold pressure washer is every bit as good and a much safer bet than a steam cleaner. Just avoid spraying directly at electrical connectors, distributors, plugs, injectors, alternators etc. The RV8, for example is absolutely fine to pressure wash except around the injectors and the general area just under the plenum. The rest of the underbonnet area is usually ok to clean too. Certainly the underside and chassis are always fine to pressure wash.
It is essential to replace any oil or grease when the cleaning process is finished. Oil all throttle linkages etc. (Not WD40 cos it won't last). Grease the bonnet release. Look for any corroded areas of chassis or suspension that are now 'raw' and exposed. They need to be treated asap.
It is essential to replace any oil or grease when the cleaning process is finished. Oil all throttle linkages etc. (Not WD40 cos it won't last). Grease the bonnet release. Look for any corroded areas of chassis or suspension that are now 'raw' and exposed. They need to be treated asap.
DarkMatter said:
Would it help, or indeed be possible, or inadvisable, to steam clean the engine with the engine running? I had in mind that the heat from the engine might dry out any moisture which might otherwise lead to an electrical problem.
You can pressure wash with the engine running but even more care is needed not to fire the spray near any air inlets. Its also advisable not to stick the end of the lance into the rotating fan or near any other moving parts. Dont spray cold water directly on the exhaust manifolds either because apart from giving a whole new meaning to steam cleaning, it is possible to crack a manifold with the sudden shock.
talkwrench said:
Careful use of a steam cleaner or preferrably a cold pressure washer is perfectly ok when theyre used sensibly. If degreaser is applied first and left to soften things up, then a cold pressure washer is every bit as good and a much safer bet than a steam cleaner. Just avoid spraying directly at electrical connectors, distributors, plugs, injectors, alternators etc. The RV8, for example is absolutely fine to pressure wash except around the injectors and the general area just under the plenum. The rest of the underbonnet area is usually ok to clean too. Certainly the underside and chassis are always fine to pressure wash.
It is essential to replace any oil or grease when the cleaning process is finished. Oil all throttle linkages etc. (Not WD40 cos it won't last). Grease the bonnet release. Look for any corroded areas of chassis or suspension that are now 'raw' and exposed. They need to be treated asap.
It is essential to replace any oil or grease when the cleaning process is finished. Oil all throttle linkages etc. (Not WD40 cos it won't last). Grease the bonnet release. Look for any corroded areas of chassis or suspension that are now 'raw' and exposed. They need to be treated asap.
Then dry off your Marigolds and pop them back under the sink
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