hi, i have an octy vRS on a 52 plate. is it ok to steam clean the engine? i had a 1998 106 gti and she didn't like the steam cleaner at all!!!

daddy2coull

Ahem, I think it has generally been considered a no-no. Better off with a toothbrush and some warm water or car cleaning fluids. Its what I might plan to do soon I reckon.

Just get some engine detailer (like a degreaser) from Halfords. Works a treat, but just don't spray it on the bits which are meant to be oily

Chris

buger, that's what i thought the case would be. i didn't particularly need to wash the engine itself more the engine bay, but i agree a proper steam clean would be a no no. i'll have to see what we've got in the workshop for a gentle clean lol

daddy2coull

Halfords sell a 2 part cleaner / detailer called CD2 that stuff is brilliant. the cleaner can be sprayed over the engine engine and bay and after a hose down (being careful in places) and a blast round the block the engine comes up spotless. the detailer then makes all the hoses and plastics look really clean and shiney.

tbh i reckon as long as you are careful where you spray you'd be ok. obviously spraying the alternator, starter motor and coils is going to cause you problems.

if the pug was anything like the R19 16v i used to have the ht leads on the plug end werent very good at stopping water from running into the wells and ultimately killing the plugs.

Think I'm going to go for the old toothbrush and white spirit approach for cleaning the chassis parts of the engine bay, but am afraid to touch other parts for fear of doing any damage....

.....am afraid to touch other parts for fear of doing any more[/b'] damage....

I just dont understand why people bother cleaning their engines - its not as iff you can see it.

shame i dont have the pic from my car at trax this year... maybe you'd understand why some of us take care in cleaning "every" part of the car...

dont take that the wrong way... each to their own an all that.

Steam clean or jet wash?

The owners handbook does say washing is OK but with the usual precautions. Never tried it myself though.

I don't fancy using steam or jet wash - anything that applies excess heat or powerful water jets sounds bad in my book. It'll be a bucket of soapy luke warm water for me, with some white spirit for the stubborn bits.

The engine is that dirty thing in the front isn't it

I clean my engine bay everytime I wax the car (bout once a month). I personally cant understand why anyone WOULDN'T clean the engine bay, it isn't just for cosmetics its basic maintenence/rust prevention.

For those that can't see the point of doing it because no-one sees it - ask yourself why you wipe the crack of your backside after going to the toilet?