Steam Cleaner?
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 31,335
Likes: 4,449
From: Westminster Maryland
I use to see garages with signs that said they steam cleaned engines. I don't see those anymore. Is it possible that pressurized steam from a true steam generator is hard on the rubber and electrical components?
Regards,
Alan
Regards,
Alan
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 1,042
Likes: 19
From: Oswego New York
I use a small inexpensive McCulloch Steamer that I bought on the internet. It runs for about 45 minutes before needing a refill.
I've seen the same model at the local Harbor Freight store ... it's even cheaper if you use one of the 20% discount coupons that often come in their emails.
It's used mostly in combination with a degreasing spray ... works fine, but is very slow in getting the job done. I'm satisfied with the results.
I've seen the same model at the local Harbor Freight store ... it's even cheaper if you use one of the 20% discount coupons that often come in their emails.
It's used mostly in combination with a degreasing spray ... works fine, but is very slow in getting the job done. I'm satisfied with the results.
Last edited by 70Yellowbird; Jan 31, 2009 at 02:48 PM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 9,192
Likes: 27
From: Boca Raton Florida
I made a short nozzle for my pressure washer and a hose from the water heater on mine, clean as a whistle. I hung plastic from the walls above my cabinets and taped it to the floor to keep the spray off of everything. wear safety glasses and a disposable rain suit.
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 4,270
Likes: 20
From: Central Michigan
Hot water heater and a garden hose here, so if the part to be cleaned can be moved I can take it out to the driveway or backyard. Wear the aforementioned protective gear, and gloves, the water nozzle is going to get hot!
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 31,335
Likes: 4,449
From: Westminster Maryland
There's a big difference between pressurized hot water and pressurized steam. I think a pressure washer or car wash works great but I'd be concerned about steam. Steam is what you get when you open the radiator cap too soon... pretty dangerous.
Regards,
Alan
Regards,
Alan
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This method works fine.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 2,063
Likes: 1
From: Beverly Massachusetts
ive used my steam cleaner for cleaning parts on my car for a few years now and i must say that it is the fastest and easiest method that i have found plus you dont get those nasty fumes from chemichals. here is a link to the newer version of the one that i have.
http://www.target.com/Shark-Ultra-St...cleaner&page=1
http://www.target.com/Shark-Ultra-St...cleaner&page=1
Drifting
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 1,536
Likes: 1
From: Boca Raton FL
I use a small inexpensive McCulloch Steamer that I bought on the internet. It runs for about 45 minutes before needing a refill.
I've seen the same model at the local Harbor Freight store ... it's even cheaper if you use one of the 20% discount coupons that often come in their emails.
It's used mostly in combination with a degreasing spray ... works fine, but is very slow in getting the job done. I'm satisfied with the results.
I've seen the same model at the local Harbor Freight store ... it's even cheaper if you use one of the 20% discount coupons that often come in their emails.
It's used mostly in combination with a degreasing spray ... works fine, but is very slow in getting the job done. I'm satisfied with the results.
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 14,112
Likes: 28
From: Florida
Years ago I had a real "Steam Jenny" for cleaning heavy equipment etc. If you have oils and grease it works better than anything.
It used kerosene to heat, but only put out a few hundred psi vs a pressure cleaner than puts out thousands psi.
I think the max temp of the water was around 300°F.
Any eaquipment repair should be able to do it for you at a decent price.
It used kerosene to heat, but only put out a few hundred psi vs a pressure cleaner than puts out thousands psi.
I think the max temp of the water was around 300°F.
Any eaquipment repair should be able to do it for you at a decent price.
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 14,062
Likes: 602
From: Henderson Nv-Rohnert Park/Sonoma C o. ca/born in NY Rockaway Beach.
I used a local steam cleaning place it cost me 50.0 to do the underside before we did the motor swap... it was nice and clean when they finished ..
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 954
Likes: 2
From: San Jose CA
http://sanjoseautosteamcleaning.com/...eam_clean.html
I've used this place in San Jose for the past 20 years. I get almost every "new" old car steam cleaned before working on it. They steam the top & bottom of the engine plus the chassis for about $200. Not cheap but worth it. Ten years ago, it cost $75 but now these companies have to pay $$$ enviromental fees. Most closed. Few exist anymore.
But well worth it. Most "steam cleaning" businesses actually use pressurized hot water and call it steam. This place has a giant boiler and uses real steam. Big difference. With real steam, your engine and chassis are spotless. Makes finding leaks easy. Plus your hands remain clean when working on the car.
I've used this place in San Jose for the past 20 years. I get almost every "new" old car steam cleaned before working on it. They steam the top & bottom of the engine plus the chassis for about $200. Not cheap but worth it. Ten years ago, it cost $75 but now these companies have to pay $$$ enviromental fees. Most closed. Few exist anymore.
But well worth it. Most "steam cleaning" businesses actually use pressurized hot water and call it steam. This place has a giant boiler and uses real steam. Big difference. With real steam, your engine and chassis are spotless. Makes finding leaks easy. Plus your hands remain clean when working on the car.
Drifting
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 1,536
Likes: 1
From: Boca Raton FL
http://sanjoseautosteamcleaning.com/...eam_clean.html
I've used this place in San Jose for the past 20 years. I get almost every "new" old car steam cleaned before working on it. They steam the top & bottom of the engine plus the chassis for about $200. Not cheap but worth it. Ten years ago, it cost $75 but now these companies have to pay $$$ enviromental fees. Most closed. Few exist anymore.
But well worth it. Most "steam cleaning" businesses actually use pressurized hot water and call it steam. This place has a giant boiler and uses real steam. Big difference. With real steam, your engine and chassis are spotless. Makes finding leaks easy. Plus your hands remain clean when working on the car.
I've used this place in San Jose for the past 20 years. I get almost every "new" old car steam cleaned before working on it. They steam the top & bottom of the engine plus the chassis for about $200. Not cheap but worth it. Ten years ago, it cost $75 but now these companies have to pay $$$ enviromental fees. Most closed. Few exist anymore.
But well worth it. Most "steam cleaning" businesses actually use pressurized hot water and call it steam. This place has a giant boiler and uses real steam. Big difference. With real steam, your engine and chassis are spotless. Makes finding leaks easy. Plus your hands remain clean when working on the car.
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 14,062
Likes: 602
From: Henderson Nv-Rohnert Park/Sonoma C o. ca/born in NY Rockaway Beach.
http://sanjoseautosteamcleaning.com/...eam_clean.html
I've used this place in San Jose for the past 20 years. I get almost every "new" old car steam cleaned before working on it. They steam the top & bottom of the engine plus the chassis for about $200. Not cheap but worth it. Ten years ago, it cost $75 but now these companies have to pay $$$ enviromental fees. Most closed. Few exist anymore.
But well worth it. Most "steam cleaning" businesses actually use pressurized hot water and call it steam. This place has a giant boiler and uses real steam. Big difference. With real steam, your engine and chassis are spotless. Makes finding leaks easy. Plus your hands remain clean when working on the car.
I've used this place in San Jose for the past 20 years. I get almost every "new" old car steam cleaned before working on it. They steam the top & bottom of the engine plus the chassis for about $200. Not cheap but worth it. Ten years ago, it cost $75 but now these companies have to pay $$$ enviromental fees. Most closed. Few exist anymore.
But well worth it. Most "steam cleaning" businesses actually use pressurized hot water and call it steam. This place has a giant boiler and uses real steam. Big difference. With real steam, your engine and chassis are spotless. Makes finding leaks easy. Plus your hands remain clean when working on the car.
Drifting
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 1,536
Likes: 1
From: Boca Raton FL
No wonder I am having a hard time finding anyone down here. Not going to give up but if their are only 2 in all of CA we probably have 1/2 of one down here in FL. If anyone knows of a place down here in So Fla please let me know. Thanks
