Steam clean engine Dublin?

All_in_Flynn

Hi all,

Had a bad oil leak in my car recently which I’ve had repaired.

The car is due for NCT and the mechanic recommended I get the engine steam cleaned. Anyone know anywhere in Dublin that will do this? I’ve rang a few places but no joy!

Max Moment

I’d be inclined not to steam clean the engine. Fair chance you’d damage something electrical with the high water pressure.

Could you try cleaning up the oil with solvent and rags as much as possible?

Not worth the risk IMHO....

firstlight

+1 just use a few rags and tidy it the best you can
Asking for trouble steam washing it

All_in_Flynn

Max Moment wrote: »

I’d be inclined not to steam clean the engine. Fair chance you’d damage something electrical with the high water pressure.

Could you try cleaning up the oil with solvent and rags as much as possible?

Not worth the risk IMHO....

I need to get the undercarriage properly cleaned too and I don’t have the facilities myself to get properly under and clean it. I know someone who works in NCT centre and they said the car will fail if they see signs of leak.

I’m willing to take the risk of having it cleaned so just looking for a place that does it in Dublin?

biko

Any place that cleans cars have degreaser and power hoses to clean the engine
That said, www.thevaletcentre.ie can probably help you with steam

All_in_Flynn

biko wrote: »

Any place that cleans cars have degreaser and power hoses to clean the engine
That said, www.thevaletcentre.ie can probably help you with steam

I tried these and they said they don’t go near engines.

If I was to do this myself is the best thing to jack the car up and get under with rags and degreaser and give it a clean?

Haven’t a notion about cars other than basic maintenance.

Appreciate any advice/help

magentis

All_in_Flynn wrote: »

I need to get the undercarriage properly cleaned too and I don’t have the facilities myself to get properly under and clean it. I know someone who works in NCT centre and they said the car will fail if they see signs of leak.

I’m willing to take the risk of having it cleaned so just looking for a place that does it in Dublin?

I don't think that's correct.I believe the nct manual says it needs to be a dripping leak.If there is residual oil on the engine I wouldn't believe that would fail.

Lots of cars would pass with a weeping seal.

biko

All_in_Flynn wrote: »

If I was to do this myself is the best thing to jack the car up and get under with rags and degreaser and give it a clean?

There are videos on youtube on engine cleaning but in short:
Cool engine
Cover all sensitive stuff with plastic bags
Spray water everywhere to get off big dirt
Spray degreaser
Scrub like mad
Spray water to wash away degreaser

Many garages have special wash areas with a drain to handle chemicals like degreasers

All_in_Flynn

biko wrote: »

There are videos on youtube on engine cleaning but in short:
Cool engine
Cover all sensitive stuff with plastic bags
Spray water everywhere to get off big dirt
Spray degreaser
Scrub like mad
Spray water to wash away degreaser

Many garages have special wash areas with a drain to handle chemicals like degreasers

Thanks for reply.

From what I understand the oil is at bottom of engine so I’ll have to clean from ubderneath. Will I be able to get to it with a jack safely?

chicorytip

Max Moment wrote:

I’d be inclined not to steam clean the engine. Fair chance you’d damage something electrical with the high water pressure.

There are no risks associated with steam cleaning an engine. It's quite safe and very effective. I have done so myself on numerous occasions. Remember, the engine should be left running during the procedure.

Gorgeousgeorge

I personally cover any electrics in sight. Spray on road traffic film remover. Scrub any spots with a tooth brush and then rinse off with a little pressure sprayer.

Been doing this for years without any problems.

Gorgeousgeorge

All_in_Flynn wrote: »

Thanks for reply.

From what I understand the oil is at bottom of engine so I’ll have to clean from ubderneath. Will I be able to get to it with a jack safely?

Never go under the car with just a jack.

All_in_Flynn

Gorgeousgeorge wrote: »

Never go under the car with just a jack.

That’s what I thought, surely there must be somewhere that would do it? I’ve rang a few places but no joy

Gorgeousgeorge

All_in_Flynn wrote: »

That’s what I thought, surely there must be somewhere that would do it? I’ve rang a few places but no joy

Just make sure you have axle stands if your going under the car at a minimum.

Thing with it is no one wants to take the chance with water and electrics all it takes is a drop of water to get in at a relay or into the air filter and your in trouble. I only do it to spruce her up for a test or when selling

All_in_Flynn

Thanks for the help folks, will keep trying around. I’m sure I’ll get someone eventually

J.R.

http://www.eco-steamclean.ie/pricelist.html
based in Finglas


https://car-valet.ie/

They come to you

CJhaughey

This is a pretty thorough video on engine bay cleaning.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PRSoRkM8GcM

corks finest

All_in_Flynn wrote: »

Max Moment wrote: »

I’d be inclined not to steam clean the engine. Fair chance you’d damage something electrical with the high water pressure.

Could you try cleaning up the oil with solvent and rags as much as possible?

Not worth the risk IMHO....

I need to get the undercarriage properly cleaned too and I don’t have the facilities myself to get properly under and clean it. I know someone who works in NCT centre and they said the car will fail if they see signs of leak.

I’m willing to take the risk of having it cleaned so just looking for a place that does it in Dublin?

Do as I did years ago,borrow a hose,down on the hands and knees and give the undercarriage a good lash

corks finest

All_in_Flynn wrote: »

Max Moment wrote: »

I’d be inclined not to steam clean the engine. Fair chance you’d damage something electrical with the high water pressure.

Could you try cleaning up the oil with solvent and rags as much as possible?

Not worth the risk IMHO....

I need to get the undercarriage properly cleaned too and I don’t have the facilities myself to get properly under and clean it. I know someone who works in NCT centre and they said the car will fail if they see signs of leak.

I’m willing to take the risk of having it cleaned so just looking for a place that does it in Dublin?

Do as I did years ago,borrow a hose,down on the hands and knees and give the undercarriage a good lash

corks finest

corks finest wrote: »

All_in_Flynn wrote: »

Max Moment wrote: »

I’d be inclined not to steam clean the engine. Fair chance you’d damage something electrical with the high water pressure.

Could you try cleaning up the oil with solvent and rags as much as possible?

Not worth the risk IMHO....

I need to get the undercarriage properly cleaned too and I don’t have the facilities myself to get properly under and clean it. I know someone who works in NCT centre and they said the car will fail if they see signs of leak.

I’m willing to take the risk of having it cleaned so just looking for a place that does it in Dublin?

Do as I did years ago,borrow a hose,down on the hands and knees and give the undercarriage a good lash[/quote ref op advice on tags etc good advice, you can get a spray on foam that dissolves the oil,bit of work but works,dirty but doable

conor2469

I have seen road traffic film remover mentioned. Is that more effective at removing oil and grime than using kerosene or the gunk brand engine cleaner?

Gorgeousgeorge

conor2469 wrote: »

I have seen road traffic film remover mentioned. Is that more effective at removing oil and grime than using kerosene or the gunk brand engine cleaner?

I use rtf or jizer

StereoSound

I use WD40 and paper towels to clean my engine compartment. I've done that for donkeys years.

Skatedude

Or if they are near enough to you http://www.vapourblast.ie/

Dry ice engine cleaning so no water or residue, they were demonstrating it at the terenure car show in 2017.