[sleepinSaab]

Large discussion about using free flowing water on an engine bay in the last thread so I figured I would share this from today: I detail cars for a living, and I usually maintain my engine bay with steam. It's a great alternative to free flowing water. Largely eliminates my use for a degreaser or brushes. Just steam the dirty area and wipe away. I coat the darker plastic stuff and hoses in stoner trim shine or use a water based dressing. Spray was on all the painted surfaces. While I initially cleaned my engine with free flowing water (it won't hurt anything and my engine was filthy when I got it), now I keep up with it every month or two with my steamer. While I do have a nicer steam cleaner, you can easily use one of the $40 Amazon steamers and get the same results. Photo attached.

 

[hunterstein555]

That's one clean engine bay!

 

[LEP3]

Any advice on what kind of steamer on Amazon, $40 to $80 that I could use on my engine?

 

[sleepinSaab]

Any advice on what kind of steamer on Amazon, $40 to $80 that I could use on my engine?

I used a Bissell steam shot handheld steamer for the longest time professionally. You only get 15-20 minutes of steam on a full tank but that should be plenty. Good for use around the house too.

 

[LEP3]

Thank you. Just ordered one from Amazon last night. Something else too. Don't drink and shop. Bad Idea!

It turned out to be a set of LED lights.

 

[sleepinSaab]

I don't see the issue here lol LEDs is the best thing I've done to mine yet!

 

[LEP3]

I'll post some pics when I use it. Just wasn't planning on buying the LED's that night.

 

[jakeyboy999]

Large discussion about using free flowing water on an engine bay in the last thread so I figured I would share this from today: I detail cars for a living, and I usually maintain my engine bay with steam. It's a great alternative to free flowing water. Largely eliminates my use for a degreaser or brushes. Just steam the dirty area and wipe away. I coat the darker plastic stuff and hoses in stoner trim shine or use a water based dressing. Spray was on all the painted surfaces. While I initially cleaned my engine with free flowing water (it won't hurt anything and my engine was filthy when I got it), now I keep up with it every month or two with my steamer. While I do have a nicer steam cleaner, you can easily use one of the $40 Amazon steamers and get the same results. Photo attached.

Not tried steam cleaning, but I can see a project coming on....

 

[Nordic-Machine]

I'll give this method a try.

 

[davide c]

I use Simple green diluted in a squeeze/spray bottle.. let sit then Garden hose it off.
Been doing this for Decades with Zero ill effects .
My engine compartments always look showroom clean.

 

[jvanabra]

… except, you know, grease and oil being washed into the environment. :nono;

 

[sleepinSaab]

… except, you know, grease and oil being washed into the environment. <img src="http://www.saabcentral.com/forums/images/smilies/icon_nono.gif" border="0" alt="" title="NoNo" class="inlineimg" />

At least with simple green it's broken down with a biodegradable cleaner before being washed away.

 

[jvanabra]

AFAIK it doesn't do that. It breaks the connection between the oil and the surface, but doesn't do anything to petroleum products. I'd love to be proven wrong, but I'm 99% sure it's simply a surfactant. The US EPA certainly lists it as one. All the sludge it washes away just goes into the sewer. Or your grass.