Has any of you guys or gals had this done to get grime and dirt off the motor?My friend has a detailing buisness and pampers the cars he details.He said he steams engines all the time.Are there any vitals under the hood that prevent me from having this done? Thanks.

 

yup. it's call the "OptiSpark". Affectionately known as the "OptiPark". If it gets wet, all bets are off.

I would not advise steam cleaning an LT1.

The best thing? A bit of simple green, a low pressure hose and a brush. Hit those areas that are the most gunked up... down the sides, undernieth, things like that. Under, you can use a bit more pressure.

I would only do this on a cold, or cool motor. Under 100* F, this will limit the amount of steam generated.

The Opti is mounted low on the front of the engine, below the waterpump and above the harmonic balancer... right flat smack in the middle of the timing chain cover. It is not that well sealed and even more poorly vented.

The Opti is 2 parts... one side is a conventional (if not very thin) distributor, with a cap and rotor, the other side, the inside, is the Opti part. The opti part sets the timing and fuel events. It is an optical pickup.

If it gets water inside, it will cause the distributor cap portion carbon trace like a motha. If, god forbid, coolant gets in... yuck... that junk will eat up the bearings... and you can say bye-bye to Mr. Opti.

I hope this explains the problems with washing an LT1/4 motor.

 

Thanks for the input.I think you just saved me about $350 and a tow.

 

I told my detailer that if he steam cleaned my 93 LT1, to make sure his insurance was paid up, 'cause I was gonna kill him! :D