Steam cleaning the engine compartment

[barnesjtsl]

I just pulled the engine in my 79 2000 replaced the gaskets cleaned the engine up and reinstalled, everything looks good and it's running great.

To clean the engine I just took it down to the car wash, stuffed rags in the intake and exhaust ports and preasure washed it to death. Worked very well.

I made the mistake of not cleaning out the engine compartment. It didn't look that dirty, but now with the clean engine in it I can see it really needs to be cleaned.

I would like to steam clean everything under the hood. Can I just rent a steam cleaner and go to town cleaning everything under the hood, or do I need to protect anything. Obviously I will protect the carburetor, but what about everything else?

Thanks,

jb

[Fiat88]

Alternator

[majicwrench]

Is really a shame to subject relay or any non-sealed electrical piece to blasts of water. The alternator can actually deal with it better than a relay can....the alternator is vented, and gets engine heat to help dry it out. Alternators get wet driving in rainstorms too. Still not a bad idea to cover it. Any water that gets in a relay is somewhat stuck there. So cover or tape over whatever relays you have, depending on the car, any electic gizmo ( very tech term that).
BTW oven cleaner works wonders on grime, it will remove paint too if you leave it on very long.

[narfire]

Have you thought about using engine cleaner for the compartment? Gunk.. engine brite works well and then I wash with a hose at tap pressure. A can and a half should cover it all if the engine is out.
Chris

[TulsaSpider]

Purple power works wonders!

[azruss]

i've had great luck with biodegradable degreasers like you get a lowe's. apply liberally. now you can wash it down without using a high pressure spray and will get better results.

[bradartigue]

Have to agree with the two above, a pressure washer (which is what I think you're referring to) in the engine compartment can screw some things up. Try four or so cans of engine cleaner first, it works very well. Most grime is so ancient you'll have to brush it anyway, even if you use a pressure washer.

Pressure wash the bottom, suspension, driveline, differential, etc. You'll usually knock about 20# of dirt off the chassis even on a clean car.

[mdrburchette]

Collect the family's toothbrushes. They are my favorite tool for cleaning. Of course, the kids' teeth turn black when they first use them again.

[Fiat88]

Collect the family's toothbrushes. They are my favorite tool for cleaning. Of course, the kids' teeth turn black when they first use them again.

I do that too. We're going green!

[azruss]

That's why you go to the dentist. Right, Denise.

[mdrburchette]

You got it. A 6 month degrease and check up.

[Fi8spider]

You dont wash fiat engine compartments, they hate it.
Since you have already a clean engine, your safest bet is to get stuck into it with the before mentioned toothbrush and cloths.
Unscrew and move what you can, clean under it and move on,,,I do it a section at a time and it comes up a treat.
What ever time was spent doing it this way will be won back by not having to spend hours trying to figure out what got wet and why it wont start or run right.
Once you do it right the first time you wont have to do it again for ages unless you develop bad engine leaks or drive in dusty conditions.
Be at one with the spider..and leave the steam cleaner for the shed floor.