Need input re engine steaming

[oceangal]

For sure there is no glamour in scraping off engine gunk, last night I spent 2 hours scraping, sanding and any other method I could come up with to get the slime off . It was wierd crawling under the car and then standing inside where the engine used to be. Hubby slept through the whole thing.

So i was wondering would something like this work to make things easier?

http://www.asseenontv.com/prod-pages/scunci_steamer.html

I have to say the smell of break cleaner etc is pretty gross. I would ask the husband but he is still sleeping and I am anxious to get to the store and get one if you all think it will work so hopefully there are some other early risers here!

Thank you!

 

[ken mohr]

[/I have done areas on the engine that were bad with wd40. Sprayed on let set, resprayed, blow off with air hose and rinse with water. It came out nice and clean. If you are doing a large area may get expensive.]

Good luck

 

[KANE]

For sure there is no glamour in scraping off engine gunk, last night I spent 2 hours scraping, sanding and any other method I could come up with to get the slime off . It was wierd crawling under the car and then standing inside where the engine used to be. Hubby slept through the whole thing.

So i was wondering would something like this work to make things easier?

http://www.asseenontv.com/prod-pages/scunci_steamer.html

I have to say the smell of break cleaner etc is pretty gross. I would ask the husband but he is still sleeping and I am anxious to get to the store and get one if you all think it will work so hopefully there are some other early risers here!

Thank you!

Dry-rotted weather pack connectors will be something to look out for. You don't want water to get back behind in the connectors and corrode everything.

Simple Green works very well. You could use WD-40 first and then Simple Green to dissolve the WD-40. Either way- you'll need to soak the gunk for a while to get it loose. I'd use a garden spray bottle and scrape the really bad stuff off with a shortened wood paint stirrer.

 

[oceangal]

Thank you for your suggestions. I went to the store and bought a bunch of stuff, I will let you know if I find anything new that works.

 

[oceangal]

I know most of you can't relate to this but when this car is done I am going for a nice manicure

 

[fine69]

Lori,

I used the generic engine cleaner from Advance Auto for the heavy stuff, and then used Simple Green to follow-up with a variety of stiff brushes, picks, and scrapers.

Another thing I found to be effective was that I got a "Y" connector and hooked it up to a hot & cold water source... then I hooked this to my power washer. Using this hot water rinse really helped get things clean.

It's was a nasty WET job, especially doing the underside but well worth it...

Ralph

 

[TimAT]

Soaking everything down with something like Simple Green, then hitting it with a power washer and hot water has always worked for me. I try to wash that kind of stuff over the grass so I don't get the driveway/garage all nasty. May make the yard a little sick for a bit, but it seems to come back.

And really, you won't need the manicure. I just do a couple loads of dishes and my hands get nice and clean.

 

[oceangal]

I couldn't find simple green in the one Walgreen I went to but I did get this stuff that is similar with a pic of a cow on it. I did get another can of WD40 and spent 2.5 hours scraping. I bought a spray version of goo gone which seems to help get the remaining residue off. Hubby has a pressure washer device that hooks up to his air compressor and the hose and that worked pretty well. Not hot water but for sure more pressure than the hose nozzle. We are in MA so we are inside working but we do have a drain in the floor for the water to go down.

I did buy a similar steam cleaner to the one I posted avoe and while I can't use it while upside down its a handy toy and I will keep it. Hubby said something about me cleaning his truck seats - I just pretended not to hear him ;-)

A quick dip in the hot tub didn't get the rest of the grime off my nails so I guess I will have to do dishes

Today was my first time using a creeper under a car. I learned a few things. One, long hair in a ponytail is not a guarantee of safety, I found that out the hard way when I backed up the creeper over my hair. Two, when wearing a hooded sweatshirt be careful when backing up or it will get caught under the wheels as well. Another hard lesson learned! LOL. It was kinda funny I am stuck between my hair and the hood and I get a cramp in my leg and the wheels are caught on the edge of the cardboard and I was stuck. For sure I would have been on Americas Funniest Videos is my husband had a camcorder ready.

 

[Curtis]

I just think it is really cool that you have the initiative and pride to do it yourself.. Congratulations.. and thanks for the smiles .

 

[TimAT]

I can relate to running over your hair with a creeper-- many long years ago that was an hourly event for me. And then going home with 90w gear oil and #2 Permatex (that's BEFORE RTV for you young'uns) in my hair and trying to get it clean. Good old #2 sets like concrete.

 

[LittleRedFlatBack]

Age

I can relate to running over your hair with a creeper-- many long years ago that was an hourly event for me. And then going home with 90w gear oil and #2 Permatex (that's BEFORE RTV for you young'uns) in my hair and trying to get it clean. Good old #2 sets like concrete.

You ARE showing your age. I grew up using permatex and still do. I use the non-hardening type though. I've just had good luck with it for many years.

 

[LittleRedFlatBack]

I just think it is really cool that you have the initiative and pride to do it yourself.. Congratulations.. and thanks for the smiles .

I second that Oceangal, you'll be very proud of your accomplishment when you're finished. Your "hair stories" remind me of when I had some.