What's the verdict on engine cleans? I've had a steam clean in the past without any problems,but I have also heard tales of subsequent electrical problems.
Experiences??
Experiences??
Engine bay clean.
- Thread starter Z Victor 1
- Start date
I would use cold medium pressure only, never steam where electrics are even close Ken. I used scrubbing bubbles and a spray like a rose on a watering can.
Tony.
Tony.
Yeah, the steam clean I had was on a car years ago.Must have been in the '80s I suppose. I haven't really had the need for anything so drastic since,but was hoping for some useful advice.Thanks for your comments.
Cheers,
Ken.
Cheers,
Ken.
- Joined
- Dec 5, 2011
- Points
- 190
Post number 7 on my old for sale thread
https://zroadster.org/threads/1997-1-9-z3-hellrot-bright-red-150k-miles-years-mot-£1750.11841/
A cheap degreaser from ebay, an old dustpan brush and a gentle hosing down. Stunned myself with the results.
https://zroadster.org/threads/1997-1-9-z3-hellrot-bright-red-150k-miles-years-mot-£1750.11841/
A cheap degreaser from ebay, an old dustpan brush and a gentle hosing down. Stunned myself with the results.
Thanks Andy.
Tony.
Tony.
Many thanks Andy,that transformation was brilliant.So was the degreaser a spray,then you brushed it and rinsed it off?
Ken.
Ken.
People used to rave about a product called Gunk years ago, but it was awful stuff when it came to rinsing off, Jizer, on the other hand was great, rinsed of dry and greaseless. It was made by the makers of Swarfega hand cleaner.
Tony.
Tony.
I'm guilty of washing both my zeds with a pressure washer, obviously avoiding things like the fuse box. I tried to keep the duration as short as possible, i used generous amounts of shampoo inside the bay to clean it after which I got a wire brush over my engine block (1.9 M44) as well as the intake manifold. Washing out the engine like this is not something I'd do very often, probably once every couple of years as water doesn't go that we'll with some of the things in the engine bay. What I found on both occasions is that water got into the spark plugs and caused a misfire - both cars. I just removed the spark plugs and cleaned them out gently with a cloth, and everything has been fine since. This was 6 months ago on my main car and about 2 months ago on my project zed. Hope that helps to an extent pal.
Hope that helps to an extent pal.
I've had two motor/engine compartments steam cleaned which was mandatory for importation to Canada! Never had a problem with the first and @spurs fan in a coupe had the second which I believe also had no problems! JIM
- Joined
- Dec 5, 2011
- Points
- 190
Autoglym engine degreaser is awesome stuff too and comes in a big bottle.
this is a half and half on my arches and that only sprayed on and hosed off, no scrubbing
this is a half and half on my arches and that only sprayed on and hosed off, no scrubbing
Good to have some product info! Thanks.
If you speak to that bloke that lives a stones throw from you he may have some APC that is perfect for engine bays!!! Just sayin.
Cheers Simon,but I don't have use for it just at the moment. I was thinking ahead!! As we speak there is a distinct lack of anything resembling a Z roadster in my garage, but hopefully not for too long!
Ok pal, whenever you are ready pop down.
That's tru
that may be true for Trinity but it was picked up for transport to the shipyard right after the decontamination but not for TOO! as Sean steam cleaned it and then did some work on a few small things in the engine compartment that needed sorting and then Andy picked it up. Just saying I've never had a problem, other people may not get so lucky I'd imagine. All vehicles from outside NA must be steam decontaminated and there are a lot funnelling into Canada especially from Japan but not hearing of any problems but I imagine they're out there. JIMBy the time yours got to you it had had plenty of time to dry out Jim.
Tony.
Steam is used to kill bugs, I get that, but the heat also causes condensation inside components which you can't see and its that what damages electronics.
Tony.
Tony.