Simple....Steam Cleaning Engine Compartment?

D

DeltaSteve

New Member
Joined
22 August 2002
Messages
5
Location
Williamson, Georgia, USA
Just bought my brand new 1992 NSX. New to me. Engine compartment is naturally dirty and I have been told that steam cleaning is a good idea. True or False? And are there any precautions to take prior to doing such as sealing air intake, etc?
Thanks
 
When I bought my 91 the engine bay was really dirty the first thing I did was take it to a detailler. They didnt cover anything in the engine bay and just steamed it off and man what a difference looked brand new all for $25.


Steven 91 Blk/Ivory
 
Is this different from just using the car wash type high pressure soapy water hose? Sorry if it is a dumb question, but I've done neither to my nsx.

anvil
 
I've done it all - soapy mit in the driveway, high pressure car wash spray, drive-thru car wash with the nappy revolving brushes (kidding, just seeing if you are paying attention
tongue.gif
) and using an aerosol degreaser. If you are careful not to blast a jet of water directly at critical components like the fuse box or the alternator, there is no harm done in rinsing of the NSX engine with water.
 
E-Z engine detailing method:

Engine cold, spray everything with Simple Green. Let sit for 10-15 mins.

Rinse with low-pressure hose.

Spray with Armor-All Foaming Tire Cleaner, wait 10-15 mins, then go for a drive.

You'll be amazed.

------------------
Russ
'91 black/black
 
Originally posted by sjs:
Do you use the Simple Green straight concentrated or diluted?
Click to expand...

I use Simple Green Auto Degreaser not diluted just spray on wait a few minutes and wipe off. I used it on my suspension components and they look new now works great.

Steven 91 Blk/Ivory
 
I second the recomendation made by Russ. I saw that here in an earlier thread and tried it. The earlier post said to use Gunk, but to me the Gunk treatment leaves an ugly smell. The Simple Green part wasn't new to me as I've done that before, but the Tire Foam trick blew me away. Everything takes a shine and looks like new with no work. As weird as it seems, just cover everything in sight (except SC belt)with it and take a ride. Best detailing trick I ever heard of.
 
Originally posted by Chuck:
The Simple Green part wasn't new to me as I've done that before, but the Tire Foam trick blew me away. Everything takes a shine and looks like new with no work. As weird as it seems, just cover everything in sight (except SC belt)with it and take a ride. Best detailing trick I ever heard of.
Click to expand...

Everything...meaning rubber, plastic, metal parts? just spray away?
 
Spray away.......Armor Al works but once u apply it have fun, just remeber not to forget to apply everytime there afta....Wax on Wax off....Side to side.....
smile.gif


[This message has been edited by Wadasan (edited 02 September 2002).]
 
I use Griot's engine cleaner after I cover all electrical and other exposed parts. Rinse off, and us an air compresser to dry hard to reach areas.
 
Done it for years on all my cars, if you like what it did for the engine bay, try the front spare area! pop the spare out and clean the battery and all. Put the spare back in and sray with foam. The guys at the car shows still don't believe that my nsx is a 91 and everything looks so clean.
Have fun !!!!
 
Oh ya,
you have to try it in the wheel wells. just wash them and spray the foam around the wells, try to keep off brakes, makes them look brand new. Makes the space between the tire and fender disapear.
See Ya.
 
Decon is right on the money - these tire foam sprays are great for enhancing all kinds of vinyl. When I clean engines like this I dilute the Simple Green 1:1 with water, and after spraying I agitate with a brush. Spray one side of the engine (or 1/4 if it's really dirty) agitate and rinse with the hose. If you use high pressure keep it away from the decals as well as the electrical connectors.
 
You guys seem to have taken care of all the details regarding engine cleaning...[simple green + 1:1 mix of armour all and water]...One cautionary note...DO NOT get the simple green on any body parts, it'll strip the wax off the paint quicker than you can hit 60 mph.
 
Another note of cation - I would not use Armor All on anything that might hit sunlight. Armor All has no UV protection to speak of and my actually accelorate wear.

I use a dilluted 50/50 mix of Lexol in a spray container as I run without an engine cover and even with the tint I get a lot of sun back there.
 
You don't think its bad to spray the engine bay with water? Electronics, connectors and corrosion? No problem? are there areas to avoid?

If its safe, i'm gonna try it. My car has "only" 4,000 miles so far and already its dirty in there.

------------------
keep the shiny side up
MikeC 01 #46
 
Your fine - just keep it low pressure. There is nothing blocking water from coming in from under the car. If you have ever sprayed under your car with a power washer or gone through big puddles in the rain - then you have probably allready "washed" everything with grime.

Good luck - keep it clean!
 
FYI... an interesting note from a Boeing engineer friend. Apparently Boeing has discontinued the use and recommendation of Simple Green as it was determined that it promotes oxidation of aluminum.

-- Chris

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