Toyspeed.org.nz Message Board

In reference to a thread in tech - just wondering how you guys reccomend cleaning engine bays? Basically, which option do you think is fine to do?

There seems to be quite different opinions on the matter...

i have used steam cleaning before, i know of a few other garages who also do things this way, i would advise against using water

Steam cleaning works for me, I just cover filters, BOV's, dizzys etc with a plastic bag and go nuts.
I have used a waterblaster before, that worked just as well.

we got a water blaster @ werk dat jus has lots of pressure and temperature wich cleans off old grease and oil off craines and trucks beuty.

Still such mixed opinion eh! I /really/ don't want to clean my Altezza with a high pressure hose and end up having to buy a new dizzy, or other electrics. But the elbow grease approach is a nightmare (although a good way to learn about where everything is in your engine... no doubt!)...

I'd be keen to hear about the steam clean.
What kind of equipment do you need for that?

I think most people go to car grooming places to get them done...

You need a steam cleaner. Its a machine of its own. Water + fuel = steam at high pressure.

I steam clean mine all the time, I dont cover anything, just avoid direct blasts at the dizzy and filter.

Comes up mint (we have one at my work)

spray a cheap degreaser every where....and then wash off with a no pressure hose... works like a charm and the waters got no presure to get were it shouldnt

geee you kids dont know how lucky you are with your technology, back in my day (when i used to walk 20miles to work barefoot, and shoveled rocking horse shit), we used elbow grease and a bit of spit and polish....damn whippersnappers *hits you with his walking stick*

Nothing like elbow grease, made my ex's engine bay come up just spankin'

Degreaser sprayed all over it first, then water blasting it with a high pressure water blaster with warm water! Usually does the trick but I get told that doing that can damage my engine....

[quote="Shady_Dan"]geee you kids dont know how lucky you are with your technology, back in my day (when i used to walk 20miles to work barefoot, and shoveled rocking horse sh*t), we used elbow grease and a bit of spit and polish....damn whippersnappers *hits you with his walking stick*[/quote

hahahahahahahahahahahhahhahaaaaaaahhahah

In the end, I opted for degreaser, elbow grease and a low pressure hosing.

Consequence? One of my hideously expensive Xenon headlamps stopped working a day later. Hmmm, coincidence? Ended up taking the ballast box apart and getting it working - but the prospect of having to replace a several hundred dollar bulb was scary as hell. :-/

Think I'll stay away from the steam clean....

i say......

rip everything out, pull it all to bits and use brakleen then put it back together :D:D

the again liek some ppl have said, thatd egreaser is awesome stuff

does a toothbrush and detergent count?