Steam Cleaning Engine and Engine Bay Precautions

Post by **bloodyank** » Mon Mar 17, 2008 4:19 pm

I need to do an extensive engine bay steam cleaning, and I want to be able to start the car when I'm done. I'm thinking wrap the dizzy and coil tightly in plastic. Should I acually remove the spark plug and coil wires? Anything else I should do?
Thanks,
Dave

Post by **Spag** » Mon Mar 17, 2008 5:12 pm

If i am hosing or jetwashing an engine, I'll usually keep it running. Then if you get too close to the electrics, you know about it coz the revs drop and you - or your assistant in the glittery swimsuit can up the revs a bit till it clears.

Post by **MoggyTech** » Mon Mar 17, 2008 5:17 pm

Be carefull of any electrical items that will let water inside. Dynamo/alternator are vented, and some starter motors have a band round the body that can let high pressure water in.

It is a good idea to run the engine after cleaning anyway, as any water that does get into electrics will get spun out, and the heating of components will help dry them out.

If you have an alarm, make sure it's sealed up, as water destroys modern circuit boards PDQ.

Post by **LouiseM** » Mon Mar 17, 2008 7:40 pm

My indicator / flasher unit stopped working after a steam clean and I had to replace it as it didn't dry out so it's best to keep all electrical items covered.

Post by **rayofleamington** » Mon Mar 17, 2008 10:21 pm

Steam cleaning any engine bay is a risky business. The problems you get 5 minutes later are usually much easier to sort than the long term damage you can cause to all wlectical connections and components.

Not one piece of minor electrics was designed to resist steam cleaning so dizzy, dynamo, and every single connector (including the light bullets) may play up later on when the damp starts off the corrosion process.

Post by **RogerRust** » Tue Mar 18, 2008 7:26 am

I have to say when I had my trav steam cleaned I did have a few problems.
I took the distributor cap and leads off and wrapped the dizzy in plastic. I also sealed the air intake by stuffing a plastic bag in the hole.

The car started fine when the leads back on and unplugged the inlet.

BUT the next day it wouldn't start (the coil had failed) and the day after the indicators topped working (water in the relay)!

If you do have it done have the underside cleaned as well its well worth it. Don't forget that your brakes will be full of water though so test them before you need them.