Need Advice On Engine Steam Cleaning

[Dimitrios]

use my viper as a dailey driver and noticed lots of dust under the hood. is it healthy to get it steamed cleaned or is there another way to do this? also with my new headers,cats and cat back i noticed the rear end of the car especially the bumpber and trunk has lots of carbon or black particals, looks almost like gun poweder on it and after one run the rear look very dirty. is this normal?

thanks
DK

 

[joe117]

I wouldn't steam clean it unless you have to. If it's really dirty, try just washing it with some degreaser and a hose.
Steam cleaners can force water into lots of places where you don't want it.

That's just my opinion.

If you have that much carbon on the back of the car, you might want to see if you are running rich.

 

[dansauto]

steam is ok, pressure is bad. just don't turn the steam up too high or it may melt plastic parts

 

[onerareviper]

I can help with the black soot.

1.) Wash your Viper extremely well in that area to remove any loose debree.

2.) Purchase a quality clay bar and 'have at it'. Be patient....

3.) I hate to plug any one wax/polish, but a coat of Zaino does seem to reduce the amount of particles that stick to the paint.

 

[Bonkers]

I use Gunk Engine Bright Foam for the heavy road grim and just a light garden hose wash for everything else. During the summer whan I drive a lot I make it a point to just once-over the engine bay with the hose to keep it from building up in the first place.

 

[sbkim]

So is it ok to wash the engine bay with running water? I was a bit concerned about water getting into electronics and etc. thanks

 

[Bonkers]

I've personally never had a problem (wash the car once a week during the summer), though I did recieve a couple of emails telling me I was crazy.

 

[Finally got it !]

Re: Need Advice On Engine Steam Cleaning

I have not steam cleaned the engine, but have used a hose quite a few times with zero problems.
on my daily driver,plymouth breeze, with 180,000 miles I have used those self wash hoses hundreds of times on the engine also with no problems.

 

[Steve-Indy]

Re: Need Advice On Engine Steam Cleaning

If you do wash/steam clean the engine, you might consider drying out the spark plug areas with air from a compressor before you start the engine, as I have seen more that one party trip a "check engine" light with this process.

 

[Real Hummer]

Re: Need Advice On Engine Steam Cleaning

I washed mine last weekend with a pressure washer and stayed far away.left to take it for a ride and check engine light was on for about 1 hour and went out.

 

[Peter-RedGTS'98]

Re: Need Advice On Engine Steam Cleaning

I did it with a pressure washer/steamer. Started the engine right after without waiting to dry out completely. No problems.

But remember to cover the atlernator and intake with a plastic bag. Avoid spraying electronics.