Steam Cleaning Engine
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 945
Likes: 61
From: Palm Desert, CA
Steam Cleaning Engine
Has anyone done this before on a C6- I liked to spray out my engine compartment and steam clean the engine.
Not sure with all the sensors around the motor if this is a bad idea or I it will be okay.
If you have suggestions and feedback I would appreciate it - if it can be done safely - what recommendations to you have on covering certian componets.
Not sure with all the sensors around the motor if this is a bad idea or I it will be okay.
If you have suggestions and feedback I would appreciate it - if it can be done safely - what recommendations to you have on covering certian componets.
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 14,071
Likes: 1,589
From: Edmond Oklahoma
I would not steam clean the engine. Too many electronic components in the engine bay to potentially damage. Just use the simple green route with limited amounts of water. Stay away from the electronics any you should be fine. Don't get in a hurry and just take your time. A day spent with your Corvette is a day well spent.
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 21,502
Likes: 461
From: Southern Utah
You shouldn't need steam to clean the top of the engine unless something is wrong and its leaking. The underside of the engine would be the only place that I would use a steam cleaner because there might be enough grease there to need it, but I would be surprised if any C6 would be old enough at this point to need steam cleaning.
I use 409 in a spray bottle on the top of the engine and engine compartment. With the engine warm, like an hour or two after driving, I gently spray down the engine compartment with a hose....water just pouring on it, not spraying hard. I cover the air filter and alternator with rags. The I spray 409 and let it sit for a minute or so, then gently rinse off. I dry with an air compressor and then take the car for a short spin to dry the rest.....and it is a good excuse to go for a short spin!
I use 409 in a spray bottle on the top of the engine and engine compartment. With the engine warm, like an hour or two after driving, I gently spray down the engine compartment with a hose....water just pouring on it, not spraying hard. I cover the air filter and alternator with rags. The I spray 409 and let it sit for a minute or so, then gently rinse off. I dry with an air compressor and then take the car for a short spin to dry the rest.....and it is a good excuse to go for a short spin!
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 1,412
Likes: 0
From: Texas 1,002rwhp/928rwtq
St. Jude Donor '09-'10
I typically warm the engine up, then spray it down with Simple Green, hose it off and then dry it with a towl. Just don't get water on the headers when they are hot. Should look new again.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!
Brett Foote
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know
Joe Kucinski
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2
Michael S. Palmer
2027 Corvette vs The World: Every C8 vs Its Closest Competitor
Joe Kucinski
10 Most Common Corvette Problems of the Last 20 Years!
Joe Kucinski
5 MOST and 5 LEAST Popular Corvette Model Years in History!
Joe Kucinski
2027 Corvette Buyer's Guide: Everything You Need to Know!
Joe Kucinski
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 24,466
Likes: 309
From: Scottsdale AZ
Simple Green works well . . just stay away from the serpentine belt, fuse box and other obvious electronic centers, then hose off. Several people use blowers of one sort or another - - I use a towel and follow the process with tire foam spray on the plastic and rubber parts - - again, avoiding the serpentine belt-- then wipe to reducing spotting.
Works well too in the wheel wells - - I remove the wheels once or twice a year - - you could probably use a pressure washer or steam cleaner on the wheel barrels and the wheel wells - - tire foam works well on the plastic fender liners as well. Just depends how picky you are about these things and how much time you've got on your hands.
And while you've got the rear wheels removed, you might want to check your rear axle nuts - - do a search, there are several well-informed posts.
And hey - -post pics when you're finished- -
