Is it safe to steam clean engine?
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Joined: Jul 2002
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From: Baltimore, MD
Is it safe to steam clean engine?
i have called a couple of detail shops, and they are reluctant to do a steam clean due to possible electronics failure afterwards, has any one had this done before and experience any problems afterwards?
the whole reason behind me doing this is in another thread. called 2003 c230 service a oil everywhere.
I have been calling around, (i ive near baltimore MD) i cant find any place near here that offers this service, anyone know a place i could take my car?
thanks.
the whole reason behind me doing this is in another thread. called 2003 c230 service a oil everywhere.
I have been calling around, (i ive near baltimore MD) i cant find any place near here that offers this service, anyone know a place i could take my car?
thanks.
Last edited by christian655321; Jan 30, 2003 at 10:56 AM.
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From: Laguna Niguel, CA
I've heard MB policy is not to steam clean but my dealer did it anyway as part of a complimentary detail and broke/shorted/drowned the crank position sensor. But it was fixed under warranty.
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I'm a dummy on this one (yep most other topics, too). Can I use my Jet-X washer to power wash once a year or so? Or the wand at the local hand car wash? In other words, is there a difference between steam cleaning and outside faucet temperature cleanings at home?
My engine bay is 18 months old and starting to look it...
My engine bay is 18 months old and starting to look it...
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From: Laguna Niguel, CA
Steam cleaning is a misnomer, it's actually a pressure washer with warm water mixed in with caustic chemicals. I guess it would be relatively safe if you spray your engine with a solvent and scrub the dirty spots and then use a mist of water from a garden hose to rinse. The problem is the pressure washers shoot out at 1-2,000 PSI and that forces water even into the watertight connectors.
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From: Nashua, NH
2008 VW GTI
I've sprayed my engine a few times and have had no problems this far. I wouldn't use any more pressure than necessary to rinse the cleaning agent off. Of course you want to avoid the intake opening.
I've hosed down Fords with EEC-IV (lots of wires and connectors) with no problems. It's the only way to get 30 pounds of mud off the engine. Ford's connectors have rubber gaskets. I'm sure MB does too. I did have an alternator fail at 90,000mi the day after it's 20th hose-off. May have been related, maybe not.
I've hosed down Fords with EEC-IV (lots of wires and connectors) with no problems. It's the only way to get 30 pounds of mud off the engine. Ford's connectors have rubber gaskets. I'm sure MB does too. I did have an alternator fail at 90,000mi the day after it's 20th hose-off. May have been related, maybe not.
Last edited by avlis; Jan 30, 2003 at 12:33 PM.
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From: Peoria IL
2003 MB C230 coupe
i have a suggestion that i will probably try this summer:
go to your local manual car wash (the one with the high pressure hand wand washer thingy thing). soak a sponge or wool mitt or something with the soapy spray (don't spray the engine with the high pressure) and wash the engine bay carefully with the sponge or mitt avoiding any electronics. then when you're done you can rinse off the engine bay with the rinse spray from the hand wand, the non-spot final rinse spray at these car washes are usually not high pressure at all.
water shouldn't hurt the electronics anyway, but who knows. i may just try rinsing the engine off every once in a while with that gentle final rinse and then if i'm brave enough, i'll actually wash the engine. does this sound like a good idea, let me know folks.
go to your local manual car wash (the one with the high pressure hand wand washer thingy thing). soak a sponge or wool mitt or something with the soapy spray (don't spray the engine with the high pressure) and wash the engine bay carefully with the sponge or mitt avoiding any electronics. then when you're done you can rinse off the engine bay with the rinse spray from the hand wand, the non-spot final rinse spray at these car washes are usually not high pressure at all.
water shouldn't hurt the electronics anyway, but who knows. i may just try rinsing the engine off every once in a while with that gentle final rinse and then if i'm brave enough, i'll actually wash the engine. does this sound like a good idea, let me know folks.
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From: Nashua, NH
2008 VW GTI
Go for it Truelove.
As I said above, I have no fear of hosing the engine off. As long as you're not driving water into things with high pressure- no worries. It's hard for me to believe that MB would build an engine compartment that can't withstand a rain storm.
As I said above, I have no fear of hosing the engine off. As long as you're not driving water into things with high pressure- no worries. It's hard for me to believe that MB would build an engine compartment that can't withstand a rain storm.
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From: Atlanta, GA
C230 coupe 6sp
Originally posted by avlis
Go for it Truelove.
As I said above, I have no fear of hosing the engine off. As long as you're not driving water into things with high pressure- no worries. It's hard for me to believe that MB would build an engine compartment that can't withstand a rain storm.
Go for it Truelove.
As I said above, I have no fear of hosing the engine off. As long as you're not driving water into things with high pressure- no worries. It's hard for me to believe that MB would build an engine compartment that can't withstand a rain storm.
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From: York, PA
2003 C230K Sport Coupe, 1986 190E 2.3
When I worked for my father's dealership we just sprayed the engine down with a hose and then applied engine cleaner. Let it sit and do its work and then rinse off. We did keep the car running on older cars when rinsing to make sure we did not soak the cap and rotor assembly, but for newer ones it is not needed. The car may start hard next start due to water everywhere but that is fine. Let the engine get nice and hot first and this helps a lot.
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'06 Lexus GS300 RWD, '07 Camry SE V6 auto, '91 190E 2.6 auto
Anyone remember that aweful movie Deal of the Century w/ Chevy Chase, where the guy's wash the pilot-less plane causing it to go haywire and attack the crowd at it's public debut? 
What a stinker! Anyway, it you are going to pressure-steamwash your engine, allow it to set for about 24 hours afterward and everything should be AOK. And the high pressure steamwasher I've seen used is HIGH PRESSURE.
By the way, can anyone recommend any foaming engine degreasers? The one's I've tried, can't remember the name, didn't foam very well at all.
What a stinker! Anyway, it you are going to pressure-steamwash your engine, allow it to set for about 24 hours afterward and everything should be AOK. And the high pressure steamwasher I've seen used is HIGH PRESSURE.By the way, can anyone recommend any foaming engine degreasers? The one's I've tried, can't remember the name, didn't foam very well at all.
