To Steam Clean or Not?

F

Frankie169

Member
 North Somerset
Under the bonnet of my newly acquired E89 is very dusty as if the previous owner parked his car next to a farm or works of some sort so the engine area is covered is a find dust or powder...… so how to clean it? Steam cleaning sounds the obvious answer but read its not a good think with modern cars and all the electrics so question for the OCDs amongst us, what's the best way of bringing it back to a gleaming clean engine bay?

Thanks in advance
 
I had a good steam clean especially around where rocker cover gasket had been leaking
car used to stink of burnt oil...… perfect now in fact for a 15 yr old motor looks like new !

no issues but yes you would have to be careful of key electrical bits etc
 
I used Meguiar's Engine Cleaner when I got my car. As mentioned above avoid water in key electrical parts, alternator etc. I did the underside of the bonnet first and covered the whole of the engine bay with a plastic sheet which ensured that water and grime did not enter the engine bay (If you do this you can use a hose to rinse it off). Next, I covered the alternator and used a long handled wheel brush for the harder to reach areas. I have a 'blaster' blow dryer which I considered essential to ensure I removed excess water. I personally would not use a steam cleaner. There are various videos out there which are useful: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PRSoRkM8GcM is one. Once clean, I use Autofinese 'Dressle' as a final dressing.
 
Steam cleaning was something that used to be done in the 1980's before the really good detergents came onto the market. Absolutely not necessary these days and usually does more harm than good.
 
honestly steam is a great option, teamed with certain detergents, and a methodical process. When we say steam guys we aren't talking about one of these industrial steam cleaners, its a hand held device that does not get hot enough to cause damage, its a really effective way to do it and your not flooding the engine bay with water like using a pressure washer.
 
Just doesn't stack up in the risk / reward ratio for me. Not when the detergents are so good nowadays. Anybody that uses a pressure washer in their engine bay should be shot!
 
I wouldn't do any spraying of water in my engine compartment. I learned a hard lesson, after cleaning and rinsing my engine with water on my 97 328I C. I had to replace all of my coils, and alternator. Who know what else was damaged, and shown up yet. The car is now for sale, in New Hampshire, US.
 
Are people confusing steam cleaning with pressure washing?

Steam cleaning is fine, as it’s not high pressure and is great for removing oils/grease.

I’d never use a pressure washer in the engine bay, no matter how well I thought I’d waterproofed everything.
 
I've always used spray on products to keep my engine bays clean. As said above, spray them on and use a soft brush with a long handle to work the product into all the hard to reach parts.

I usually rinse off with a quick hose down. I've never had a problem, though I do cover the alternator with a bag before doing so.
 
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