Has anyone used a steam cleaner to clean their engine, underside, under wheel wells, etc on their car?

I have access to a steam machine my brother bought. He has used it on wheels and such and it literally gets all brake dust out without any chemicals.

I want to clean my engine, but I don't want to put on any heavy chemicals or run a hose over the engine.

I figure steam, while still being water, would be much more economical and environmentally safer to use over a product such as engine brite etc.

I have nothing against using a heavy degreaser. I use simple green lots for cleaning other things, so I could use that to assist me.

I was thinking I could steam clean my engine thoroughly, then spray it down with some armor all type of protectant and just keep the engine clean.

I would of course allow the engine bay to dry from the steam I used, and I would wipe things down with a rag as well where needed.

I would not use the steam directly on any electrical connections or items or computers, and I would not use the steam on any gasket area's. i am mainly looking to clean up the metal and plastic parts of the engine, especially under the air cleaner housing and the rest of the engine bay.

at the same time, I would also steam clean the entire underside of the car including the suspension etc.

I really just want to spend a weekend pretty much detailing the car more inside than out as the outside I have cleaned usually 2 times a week.

I was wondering how safe it is to use steam,a nd if anyone recommends things to not spray the steam on. I know I should stay away form computer modules etc, but I am skeptical about applying any kind of moisture in or around my engine and electronics..

I have used the steamer on my wheels, and it does a good job of cleaning them. I have also used it on other non car things and it has worked great on those things too. So I am now itching to give the engine a througough degreasing and cleaning.

What are your thoughts on steam and how to apply it?

Alon

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'92 300CE - Sold
2004 C240 - 744 - C7 Wheels - Android Radio
2002 C320 - 816 - Sport Wagon

Alon,

My tech uses a steam cleaner. He will usually do it once or twice a year to knock off the heavy stuff. I asked him about it and he said just be careful around electricals ect. (you know the drill).

Once clean, I have used a two part system from CD-2. It has a cleaner that I'll use in between steaming and a nice detail spray that you spray on and wipe off. It looks good and doesn't turn yellow like some I've seen.

Say howdy to the Clampet's for me.

Bill

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Mr. BILL

91 300E 120K
90 300SE 275K (sold)
92 BMW 525iM 120K
90 BMW 525iA 175K
85 300D 175K (sold)
84 300SD 245K (sold)

I've always wanted a steam cleaner to perform the procedures you were talking about. Do you know how much they cost and where I could get one? Thanks

Alex

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1983 300D (parked for four years)
2012 VW Sportwagen TDI Manual
2001 Miata SE
1962 Chevrolet Corvair Rampside

I think Alon has a good question here.

Does anyone have any really good experience with steam cleaning an engine. I have personally always wondered if this works and weather it damages anything in the engine. I know that most used cars at the dealership are steam cleaned but I have heard mixed reviews about this.

Finally for those of use that don't have access to a steamer does anyone know if this is offered by detail shops and what the cost is?

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Afshin

Current:
02 C32 AMG

Previous:
92 500E
84 190E 2.3 5 Spd

The only reason I prefer steam over the degreaser/water method is the water.

I would hate to get water into one of those nice expensive electronic things under the hood.

The steam worked good for me int he few areas I tried it. I even added some simple grean to it and made some simple green steam. worked wonders on my brothers rover engine which was black.. now its cleaner. and we can see any leaks. Of course the best thing on the valve cover in his car was the mothers metal polish. the covers shine now he he.

Alon

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'92 300CE - Sold
2004 C240 - 744 - C7 Wheels - Android Radio
2002 C320 - 816 - Sport Wagon

I have washed my engine in my 300E and E320 many times with water and degreaser. never had a problem yet. Although, i do make sure to stay away from my alternator and any electronics on the other side of the firewall. I highly recommend Greased Lightning as a degreaser, awesome stuff, you must try it on something putridly dirty sometime in your life. the stuffs like magic!

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Current Stable:
01 ML55 AMG
92 500E (a few mods)
87 300E (lots of mods)
00 Chevy 3500HD Diesel Box Truck
68 18' Donzi Marine
06 GT i-Drive7 1.0 Mountain Bike (with GPS!)

PREVIOUSLY OWNED:83 300SD, 87 420SEL, 88 420SEL, 90 420SEL, 86 560SEL, 86 190E 2.3-16V AMG, 94 E320

The local MB dealer recently steamed one side of my engine block, so the source of a small oil leak could be determined. I was a little hesitant, because my car's old, a 73, and the electical connections look a little fragile to me. But, no problem whatsoever. They must have been careful, and they didn't clean the whole engine compartment however.

I am shopping around for a good detail shop to clean the underside of my car and undercoat it and maybe clean the engine too. This one place I went to (this is an exotic car dealer and authorized Lambo dealer by the way) says that he uses a pressure washer with heated water (to like 150F). Then I found other ones that use steam. What is better? And any recommendations or things to watch out for on undercoating? Thanks for any info.

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'86 420SE Euro
904 Midnight Blue, Gray Velour
Dad bought it new, now I own it.

"A Mercedes-Benz is like a fine wine, it only gets better with age."

I don't know the exact specifications of those steam machines but theoretically steam's temperature could well over the 100ºC. Although vapor coming out from boiling water is always arround 100º C, you can raise the pressure and have it easily at 250º-300ºC (pretty close to the machine's nozzle) which could do some damage...(both to the car and to you )

What say the specifications of the steam machine you have Ashman? Does it have any kind of temperature regulation?