Hello,

 

Can anybody provide comment on experiences with steam cleaning an engine. I have an oil leak on my scout (2lt diesel) and local garage has recommended steam cleaning so that they can pinpoint the leak (currently quite a lot of old oil around the engine, including down the rear of the block). Having looked online quickly, I can see that some have a preference to use hand tools and degreaser rather than steam clean (or high pressure hose - i definitely don't like the sound of this knowing the issues it can cause with cycles) as the moisture can cause serious electrical issues. Given the age of my car (08) I'm concerned that steam cleaning will do more harm than good.

Appreciate any advice. 

Thanks

Spend a bit of time with Degreaser & warm or cold water for me for vehicles i own and want to keep and not look terrible in not so long a time as alloy and metal looks terrible and dull or rusty.

Blasting away with a steam cleaner is something that others will do on other peoples vehicles IME.

i had an engine steam cleaned a few years back - although I'd call it more of a hot pressure wash really - it didn't cause any long term issues but in the short term caused rough running and needed a fair few connections 'drying out' to resolve.

 

I'm surprised they can't just trace the leak back up the block etc.  On my old 4x4 any oil in the engine bay only came from two places - the first was a blown turbo to intercooler hose at the back of the engine and the second was from the cam cover gasket at the front after a cambelt change.  The fuel pressure rail had to be moved to gain access and is held in place using the same fasteners as the cam cover, which hadn't been properly tightened afterwards (took me a while to find that one!)