What is the best way to get a car engine steam cleaned? Can it cause any harm?

Question

I have a '96 Toyota Avalon with about 96,000 miles on it
that I keep running for my teenager. It is leaking fluid, but
we never let it run out of anything. We believe it's oil, but
until everything is thoroughly cleaned, how can you tell what
or from where?
Thanks.

Answer 1

Now for some truth. You can do it yourself if you get some engine cleaner from your autoparts store and take it to the car wash. DO NOT USE OVEN CLEANER!!! It can and will eat rubber parts and wire coatings. Don't do it at home, you may get a citation for washing hazardous chemicals into the public sewer system. It's possible to cause some minor issues if you have exposed wires, get water in the fuel system (not such a concern on fuel injection as opposed to carburated engines) in the distributor cap, or too much in the alternator. It does require some basic technical ability to clean an engine and not have issues. Therefore, if you are uncomfortable trying this, take it to a mechanic. DO NOT steam clean and engine, use engine degreaser and pressure wash it. STEAM is harmful. If you know you have a leak you con't find, chances are it's coming from the lower half of the engine, a safer place to wash. The top half of the engine where the electronics are can pose a problem, but in all truth, there's really not much to leak that high except valve cover gaskets and a water hose or two. Check out the link below for information on engine cleaning from Hot Rod Magazine Online.

Answer 2

The easy way to do this is with a can of "Gunk" or other brand of engine cleaner. IT smells like diesel fuel when you spray it on the motor and the smell can linger for a few weeks.

I prefer "Simple Green" since it really cuts/melts the oil and it smells good.

You can do it when the motor is warm and let it sit for about 15 minutes and then rinse it off with the garden hose with warm or hot water.

Most engines are relatively water tight so you shouldn't have to worry about drowning anything.

If it has a distributor mounted sideways then on occasion some water will get in the distributor cap and the cap will have to be pulled off (not completely) and dried out with a paper towel or dry oil free rag.

Just focuse the water stream on the engine block and and other oily surfaces and don't blast the electrical stuff intentionally or with a hard stream.

I use the do-it-yourself carwashes and bring my can of Gunk or Simple Green and then rinse it off with the power sprayer or I do it in the driveway and hook up the hose to the kitchen sink to get some hot/warm water.

Good Luck!

Answer 3

No Need to steam clean. Take to any shop and have them trace the leak. They will add a harmless die to the oil and using a UV light can tell where the oil is leaking. Water and steam cleaning can short out sensitive electronic parts if not done with caution.

Answer 4

You can go to the Auto store and buy some stuff called gunk and spray it on the engine and spray it off... Do this at the car wash.... Good luck Grant M from Pennsylvania

Answer 5

There's only one way to get an engine steam cleaned. You take it to somebody that has the steam generator and offers that service.

It works pretty well, and it really does help finding leaks.

Answer 6

it will not hurt anything, Get some oven cleaner, go to the car wash, spray it on, start car and pressure wash it off. Avoid the alternator.

keep the car running.