washing the engine

Discussion in 'General Motoring' started by lastnn30, Jul 30, 2003.

  1. The small steamers are a scam. They're only sold on TV because every
    single one purchased at a store would be returned. It takes a lot of
    pressure and power for steam cleaning; much more than you get from one
    that plugs into a wall outlet.

    The easiest way to clean an engine is to hook up a garden hose to the
    hot water faucet at your clothes washer. Wear gloves so you can hold
    the nozzle. Cover all fluid tanks and don't directly spray bearings.
    Drive the car after it drip dries so pockets of water are boiled off.
     
    Kevin McMurtrie, Aug 1, 2003
    #21
  2. The small steamers are a scam. They're only sold on TV because every
    single one purchased at a store would be returned. It takes a lot of
    pressure and power for steam cleaning; much more than you get from one
    that plugs into a wall outlet.

    The easiest way to clean an engine is to hook up a garden hose to the
    hot water faucet at your clothes washer. Wear gloves so you can hold
    the nozzle. Cover all fluid tanks and don't directly spray bearings.
    Drive the car after it drip dries so pockets of water are boiled off.
     
    Kevin McMurtrie, Aug 1, 2003
    #22
  3. The small steamers are a scam. They're only sold on TV because every
    single one purchased at a store would be returned. It takes a lot of
    pressure and power for steam cleaning; much more than you get from one
    that plugs into a wall outlet.

    The easiest way to clean an engine is to hook up a garden hose to the
    hot water faucet at your clothes washer. Wear gloves so you can hold
    the nozzle. Cover all fluid tanks and don't directly spray bearings.
    Drive the car after it drip dries so pockets of water are boiled off.
     
    Kevin McMurtrie, Aug 1, 2003
    #23
  4. lastnn30

    SoCalMike Guest

    some water heaters have a spigot as well. crank up the water heater
    temporarily to get the hottest water possible.
     
    SoCalMike, Aug 1, 2003
    #24
  5. lastnn30

    SoCalMike Guest

    some water heaters have a spigot as well. crank up the water heater
    temporarily to get the hottest water possible.
     
    SoCalMike, Aug 1, 2003
    #25
  6. lastnn30

    SoCalMike Guest

    some water heaters have a spigot as well. crank up the water heater
    temporarily to get the hottest water possible.
     
    SoCalMike, Aug 1, 2003
    #26
  7. some water heaters have a spigot as well. crank up the water heater
    temporarily to get the hottest water possible.
    [/QUOTE]

    That's a drain and flush spigot. You'll clean the crud out of the
    bottom of the tank but many models won't provide hot water there. It's
    right next to where the cold water comes in.
     
    Kevin McMurtrie, Aug 1, 2003
    #27
  8. some water heaters have a spigot as well. crank up the water heater
    temporarily to get the hottest water possible.
    [/QUOTE]

    That's a drain and flush spigot. You'll clean the crud out of the
    bottom of the tank but many models won't provide hot water there. It's
    right next to where the cold water comes in.
     
    Kevin McMurtrie, Aug 1, 2003
    #28
  9. some water heaters have a spigot as well. crank up the water heater
    temporarily to get the hottest water possible.
    [/QUOTE]

    That's a drain and flush spigot. You'll clean the crud out of the
    bottom of the tank but many models won't provide hot water there. It's
    right next to where the cold water comes in.
     
    Kevin McMurtrie, Aug 1, 2003
    #29
  10. I guess it depends on how much oil and oil/dirt mixture there is but I'm
    not a fan of water or solvent washing - too many accessories, electrical
    harness connections which can be damaged. For grit, dust, and loose dirt,
    I use a smallish paint brush - about the size you'd use for painting window
    frames. Use it dry to get loose dirt out of all the nooks and crannies,
    then spray some WD40 on the bristles and brush off any oily spots... with a
    little extra WD40 on the part as necessary. It may not make things sparkle
    but it sure helps when I go to do work on the car.

    Rgds, George Macdonald

    "Just because they're paranoid doesn't mean you're not psychotic" - Who, me??
     
    George Macdonald, Aug 2, 2003
    #30
  11. I guess it depends on how much oil and oil/dirt mixture there is but I'm
    not a fan of water or solvent washing - too many accessories, electrical
    harness connections which can be damaged. For grit, dust, and loose dirt,
    I use a smallish paint brush - about the size you'd use for painting window
    frames. Use it dry to get loose dirt out of all the nooks and crannies,
    then spray some WD40 on the bristles and brush off any oily spots... with a
    little extra WD40 on the part as necessary. It may not make things sparkle
    but it sure helps when I go to do work on the car.

    Rgds, George Macdonald

    "Just because they're paranoid doesn't mean you're not psychotic" - Who, me??
     
    George Macdonald, Aug 2, 2003
    #31
  12. I guess it depends on how much oil and oil/dirt mixture there is but I'm
    not a fan of water or solvent washing - too many accessories, electrical
    harness connections which can be damaged. For grit, dust, and loose dirt,
    I use a smallish paint brush - about the size you'd use for painting window
    frames. Use it dry to get loose dirt out of all the nooks and crannies,
    then spray some WD40 on the bristles and brush off any oily spots... with a
    little extra WD40 on the part as necessary. It may not make things sparkle
    but it sure helps when I go to do work on the car.

    Rgds, George Macdonald

    "Just because they're paranoid doesn't mean you're not psychotic" - Who, me??
     
    George Macdonald, Aug 2, 2003
    #32
  13. WD-40 damages rubber. Hoses will slip off, oil gaskets will break, and
    electrical gaskets will jam the connectors. Paint thinner works better
    here because it completely evaporates.
     
    Kevin McMurtrie, Aug 2, 2003
    #33
  14. WD-40 damages rubber. Hoses will slip off, oil gaskets will break, and
    electrical gaskets will jam the connectors. Paint thinner works better
    here because it completely evaporates.
     
    Kevin McMurtrie, Aug 2, 2003
    #34
  15. WD-40 damages rubber. Hoses will slip off, oil gaskets will break, and
    electrical gaskets will jam the connectors. Paint thinner works better
    here because it completely evaporates.
     
    Kevin McMurtrie, Aug 2, 2003
    #35
  16. Are you sure it damages rubber... permanently? I thought they claimed it
    did not. Anyway, I'm not talking about hosing it around and making puddles
    of the stuff - just a small amount to dab up oil spots.

    Rgds, George Macdonald

    "Just because they're paranoid doesn't mean you're not psychotic" - Who, me??
     
    George Macdonald, Aug 2, 2003
    #36
  17. Are you sure it damages rubber... permanently? I thought they claimed it
    did not. Anyway, I'm not talking about hosing it around and making puddles
    of the stuff - just a small amount to dab up oil spots.

    Rgds, George Macdonald

    "Just because they're paranoid doesn't mean you're not psychotic" - Who, me??
     
    George Macdonald, Aug 2, 2003
    #37
  18. Are you sure it damages rubber... permanently? I thought they claimed it
    did not. Anyway, I'm not talking about hosing it around and making puddles
    of the stuff - just a small amount to dab up oil spots.

    Rgds, George Macdonald

    "Just because they're paranoid doesn't mean you're not psychotic" - Who, me??
     
    George Macdonald, Aug 2, 2003
    #38
  19. buy a engine cleaner, or like a bottle of simple green,, next i woud go back
    home and have a hose ready open up the hood and take a plastic bag and put
    it over the valve cover which is the thing that says honda on it with the H
    emblem. what that does is protect the electronics.. then take the bottle of
    simple green dgreeser or whatever you got and spray all over the engine try
    to avoid the belts but you can get some on it, then let it sit for like 3
    mins then hose it down, let it sit out in the sun to dry then take a tire
    shine spray and spray all the hoes and plastic parts, Donot i repeat donot
    get any on the belts. thn your done. bling bling, it should take you no more
    than a hour. and it will look tight
     
    Email from K Y L E, Aug 3, 2003
    #39
  20. buy a engine cleaner, or like a bottle of simple green,, next i woud go back
    home and have a hose ready open up the hood and take a plastic bag and put
    it over the valve cover which is the thing that says honda on it with the H
    emblem. what that does is protect the electronics.. then take the bottle of
    simple green dgreeser or whatever you got and spray all over the engine try
    to avoid the belts but you can get some on it, then let it sit for like 3
    mins then hose it down, let it sit out in the sun to dry then take a tire
    shine spray and spray all the hoes and plastic parts, Donot i repeat donot
    get any on the belts. thn your done. bling bling, it should take you no more
    than a hour. and it will look tight
     
    Email from K Y L E, Aug 3, 2003
    #40
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