Chevy Express Engine Steam Clean

[Wills.WindowsAndWheels]

What up guys. I finally got myself a little steamer McCulloch Heavy-Duty Steam Cleaner - MC1275 at The Home Depot (http://www.homedepot.com/McCulloch/h_d1/N-5yc1vZ2qn/R-100646690/h_d2/ProductDisplay?langId=-1&storeId=10051&catalogId=10053) for $75 off craigslist. No its not the VX5000 or something of that grade...but it works nevertheless and i like it :).

So i had done a few interiors with it...but wanted to give it a go on an engine. This was a 96' Chevy Express whos engine probably had never been touched. It had been sitting on a dirt lot a full year before my friend bought it...and the engine surely looked it lol.

This was a freebie for a friend and a chance to try out my steamer on an engine....so i took my time...probably took about 90 minutes or so. The only things I used was Megs Degreaser 5:1 and Megs Hyperdressing 2:1.

The rest was just with the steamer and a couple terry/MF cloths...oh and i used an old paint brush to loosen a little dirt in areas where the brush attachment on the steamer wouldnt fit :).

So here is what i was looking at:

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/1089/Center_Before.JPG

Like i said...pretty grungy. Now let me tell you another awesome thing about using the steamer....NO PLASTIC BAGS. I didn't have to cover up air intake or alternator (which woulda been a pain in this crammed engine) or spark plugs or any of that. The steamer was totally safe to use...which means i didn't have to hold my breath when i went to start it up when i was doneIm the MAN

Heres the after:

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/1089/Center_Finished_2_.JPG

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/1089/Center_Finished.JPG

Here is another before but from a different angle:

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/1089/Right_Before.JPG


And here is the finished photo:

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/1089/Right_Finished.JPG


It also worked good on the painted areas on the underside of the hood:

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/1089/Upper_Left_Before.JPG


Just sprayed it lightly with degreaser...the hit it with steam (didn't scrub...) and most the dirt/grease rolled right off...for what was left over..id just hit it with steam and then wipe it clean with a terry cloth. Heres the after:

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/1089/Upper_Left_Finished.JPG


Now i wont lie...i didnt get to do the padding...i do want to try it though...its just i ran out of steam and by the time i finished i had other things i had to go do lol...but like i said...was a freebie for a friend and i think it turned out quite nice.

I can't stress enough how much i love megs Hyperdressing for engines (and tires too but especially engines!). You just spray it...all over...everything and let it set....thats it.

I let it set for a few minutes...then start the engine to help it dry...then take an old MF and wipe up any excess...and the excess that ends up on the cloth i can use to get little things the spray may have missed (which usually isnt much...maybe the underside of a hose here n' there).

So i hope you guys enjoy the little write up...i sure enjoy my little steamer lol.

Take care.

[Lucian]

Very nice job! Now I want a steamer like that!

[Wills.WindowsAndWheels]

Very nice job! Now I want a steamer like that!


lol, thanks...for $100 or so its worth it...if you can find one..i'd say get it :). Plus in the long run...it'll save money cause you dont have to use so many chemicals.

[SeaJay's]

Very nice. I have the same steamer, however I just upgraded to a better one. But that one definitely gets the job done! And can't beat the price.

[Wills.WindowsAndWheels]

Very nice. I have the same steamer, however I just upgraded to a better one. But that one definitely gets the job done! And can't beat the price.

Thanks. So what one did you upgrade to...and what improvements do you notice over the old one?

[SeaJay's]

Thanks. So what one did you upgrade to...and what improvements do you notice over the old one?

I upgraded to the Vapor Clean Gaia. It's a steamer and extractor in one. It's a very nice machine. the steam is hotter, maintains pressure longer and better, adjustable steam pressure, and it doesn't blow out a ton of water prior to steam coming out.

Just some of things I've noticed so far. I haven't used the extractor portion yet, but I plan to do a review on it once I have a chance to really play around with it. The steamer portion of it is awesome though.

[Wills.WindowsAndWheels]

I upgraded to the Vapor Clean Gaia. It's a steamer and extractor in one. It's a very nice machine. the steam is hotter, maintains pressure longer and better, adjustable steam pressure, and it doesn't blow out a ton of water prior to steam coming out.

Just some of things I've noticed so far. I haven't used the extractor portion yet, but I plan to do a review on it once I have a chance to really play around with it. The steamer portion of it is awesome though.


Nice...cant wait to see the write up

[WRAPT C5Z06]

:dblthumb2:

How did you use the steamer on the engine?

[Wills.WindowsAndWheels]

:dblthumb2:

How did you use the steamer on the engine?

I just used the small brush head attachment and after i sprayed an area with degreaser...u used the steamer w/attachment on that area and wiped it clean...then repeated throughout the entire engine bay and dressed

[kb2ehj]

How often did you have to refill the unit? Last year I contemplated getting one I just never pulled the trigger.

Mark

[Wills.WindowsAndWheels]

How often did you have to refill the unit? Last year I contemplated getting one I just never pulled the trigger.

Mark

The unit comes with a measuring cup and a funnel. The cup holds 16oz and on the cup it says 16 oz runs approx. 15 minutes...32 oz. runs approx. 30 minutes and 48 oz. runs 50 minutes.

If you use it in short bursts then it lasts longer. I had only put in about 20 oz when i did then engine...that why i ran out...so id say it gives a good amount of run time