Date:         Wed, 1 Jun 2005 12:40:05 -0600
Reply-To:     jimt <camper@TACTICAL-BUS.INFO>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         jimt <camper@TACTICAL-BUS.INFO>
Subject:      Re: Steam Cleaning?
In-Reply-To:  <c3663498d82c08068f7df825c321d697@mac.com>
Content-type: text/plain; charset="ISO-8859-1"

On 6/1/05 12:22 PM, "Kim Brennan" <kimbrennan@MAC.COM> wrote:

> I've never been sucessful with a steam cleaning. A trusted mechanic
> preferred to use Brake cleaner, which will remove the oily gunk, and
> dry fast. I tend to use that now-a-days.
> 
> However, be careful with Brake Cleaner. Don't use it on a hot engine.
> And different brands are different formulas. I've found some that
> burned me (chemical burn), while others didn't. Using eye protection
> when using it. I also like to put a shallow drip pan under the engine
> to catch all the stuff so that it doesn't junk up the driveway.
> 
> 
> On Jun 1, 2005, at 1:48 PM, Trenholme, Phil wrote:
> 
>> Hello,
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> I just purchased a very nice fully loaded 1990 Westy.  Currently
>> showing
>> 140K with over 10K in receipts spent on maintenance since 1995! Anyway,
>> I am a bit of a clean freak and am considering having the transaxle and
>> engine steam cleaned. Are there concerns about doing this? Are there
>> better ways to clean an engine? There is quite a bit of gunk on the
>> engine and having the engine clean will makes working on this car so
>> much easier.
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> Thanks
>> 
>> Phil T
>> 
>> Santa Cruz, CA
> 
> 
Steam cleaning if kept to the bottom and around the transaxle (if no
electronics) works nice but I have had severe problems with vehicles when
used on the top.  Steam under pressure will put vapor into areas that you
wouldnąt think it could get into.

For the heavy oily stuff I will often warm up the engine and then put some
plastic sheeting over some areas (note warm not hot engine).  Then use Gunk
spray can cleaner (or similar) usually the non foam type, and a a plastic
scraper on any heavy stuff and just Gunk on the lighter oil messes.  Then
rinse well with warm water and then a flush off with the hose.  Will often
use a product like simple green or orange blast on other areas at full
strength and then rinse well afterwards.

jimt