Steam Cleaning Engine
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 5,141
Likes: 7
From: Metairie Louisiana
This one has 110K. Oil leaks were so bad it had 1/4" coating of crusted oily dirt on everything. Intake gaskets leaked so much oil was even dripping off the mufflers and rear end housing. I bought a gallon of WD-40, put the car on four stands over a tarp and cleaned the entire bottom of the car and engine compartment with brushes and rags. Of course dismantling the engine to get to the source of the leaks made it a little easier to clean I guess. Replaced every seal except for the rear main.
Ok. Now tell the truth those pictures were taken in 96?
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 96,443
Likes: 9
From: Fort Knox, KY
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 5,841
Likes: 19
From: CLT, North Carolina
No smell, but I blew it off pretty good and the stoddard solvent carrier evaporates after a day or so. A bucket of WD-40 sure works swell as a cleaning solvent and probably helps inhibit rust and corrosion somewhat.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 5,841
Likes: 19
From: CLT, North Carolina
Thanks for the generous compliment! Pix were actually taken on Sunday, August, 12th 2007. Another forum member was having questions about replacing and routing new sparkplug wires on his 96 CE. I volunteered the pictures hoping he could use the info. I posted a lot more pictures in that thread. Not really related to this thread but I am just finishing the brakes. Not sure what to do about the Edelbrock shocks yet. Trying to decide whether to stay with them or put Bilsteins back on.
Racer
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 292
Likes: 0
From: Houston texas
Thanks for the generous compliment! Pix were actually taken on Sunday, August, 12th 2007. Another forum member was having questions about replacing and routing new sparkplug wires on his 96 CE. I volunteered the pictures hoping he could use the info. I posted a lot more pictures in that thread. Not really related to this thread but I am just finishing the brakes. Not sure what to do about the Edelbrock shocks yet. Trying to decide whether to stay with them or put Bilsteins back on.
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 972
Likes: 0
From: Springdale AR
This one has 110K. Oil leaks were so bad it had 1/4" coating of crusted oily dirt on everything. Intake gaskets leaked so much oil was even dripping off the mufflers and rear end housing. I bought a gallon of WD-40, put the car on four stands over a tarp and cleaned the entire bottom of the car and engine compartment with brushes and rags. Of course dismantling the engine to get to the source of the leaks made it a little easier to clean I guess. Replaced every seal except for the rear main.
I see some dirt.....No...No...Never mind it was a smudge mark on my computer screen.
That is one clean engine.
Racer
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 281
Likes: 2
From: Mount Vernon Indiana
I personally don't see how you could get a steam cleaner near where the cleaning would need to be done.
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 11,628
Likes: 1
From: Sherwood, Arkansas
Hows your Opti?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 5,141
Likes: 7
From: Metairie Louisiana
They put out some moisture but not what some suggest. It is manageable. Think of the steamer on an iron or a clothes steamer. I have not used one on the Vette but I plan on it. I am still shopping around for the best one.
Last edited by rickneworleansla; Aug 23, 2007 at 03:02 PM.
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 3,840
Likes: 30
.....with the smaller versions as advertised on tv, how did it work out for you?...did ya have to make multiple passes at the dirt?
Racer
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 281
Likes: 2
From: Mount Vernon Indiana
On a side note, I'm sure there is a good quote in my last comment somewhere.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 1,161
Likes: 0
From: Orangeburg, NY
Power Washing - Steam Cleaning.
Not recommended for the following reasons.
Older cars 84-89 or thereabouts did not have the best wiring, Not fixed until around 1990 with a different type of wire insulation. Newer c-4's are tempermental when it comes to the optispark, once wet it's done (so I am told, I have an 89).
Water has a tendency to reak havoc on the cars. I did do mine, but was very careful. Had no issues.
The cars need alot of attention, as I work on it, and remove/replace parts, I clean them as I go.
Just my .02
Not recommended for the following reasons.
Older cars 84-89 or thereabouts did not have the best wiring, Not fixed until around 1990 with a different type of wire insulation. Newer c-4's are tempermental when it comes to the optispark, once wet it's done (so I am told, I have an 89).
Water has a tendency to reak havoc on the cars. I did do mine, but was very careful. Had no issues.
The cars need alot of attention, as I work on it, and remove/replace parts, I clean them as I go.
Just my .02
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 8,753
Likes: 9
From: Louisiana
Simple green, rags, scotch pad, hard nylon brush, toilet bowl brush for hard to reach places, mothers polish, WD-40, lots of time, sore finger tips for weeks, and enough water to remove the simple green and dirt.
