Steam cleaning a mk1 engine?!?!?

I'd never heard about this until about 5 minutes ago. A friend of mine had it done to a mk4 golf and said it worked a treat.

Surely steaming an engine must cause some sort of electrical damage??

Anyone ever had it done to a mk1 golf ?

I did think it may be safer on a newer engine… ?

_MILLA said

I'd never heard about this until about 5 minutes ago. A friend of mine had it done to a mk4 golf and said it worked a treat.

Surely steaming an engine must cause some sort of electrical damage??

Anyone ever had it done to a mk1 golf ?

I did think it may be safer on a newer engine… ?

dude my mates & me used to do things like that years ago it did work at the time with a bit of rag to cover the plugs, dizzy cap etc.. Nowadays I prefer to use Autoglym engine degreaser, nice brush to irritate the cr4p, then rinse off.. Did the trick on mine.. & a bit of armor-all wax then some Autoglym Vinyl & Rubber care..



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Forgot to mention there was a post on here a few months back & they mentioned something like an ice clean steam or words to tha effect..


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Glad someone else has heard of it haha.. Awesome dude, I'll check out the degreaser now! I need something lol!


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Have a Look at my project Thread i still Post a Video of my Method of cleaning the Full Engine


Posted at work…

figti said

Have a Look at my project Thread i still Post a Video of my Method of cleaning the Full Engine


Posted at work…

Will do when I get chance bud


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Sweet, I'll check it out in the morning


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No Problem.. Hope it will be help or get inspired


Posted at work…

Its usually OK to do.

If your leads and dizzy cap etc are in good nick then it shouldn't affect it too much.

Worth having a can of WD40 to hand and keep it away from the obvious.

I've done my MK2 golf syncro a few times and apart from a couple of stutters it clears itself within a mile and its fine.
Do it while the engine is hot.

Here is how I clean mine.
How I clean my Mk1 | Volkswagen Owners Club Forum


I start with having a warm engine, not hot, but warm.
I spray the entire engine compartment with WD-40 prior.  I make sure to spray the wires and connectors and plugs and things.
I let that work for a bit.

Over here we have a cleaner you buy for a dollar a bottle called "Totally Awesome"  it will start dirt and grease running as soon as you get it sprayed.
I soak all parts (save for the dizzy…and wires and connectors when I can.).  I let it work for a bit about 10 minutes, and Brush for the really heavy stuff.

I start my Pressure washer and go to town……
After I am done, I give it about 5 minutes to drip dry.  I remove the Plug Wires and wipe the plugs, and spray the connectors with CRC Wire-Dry.
I remove the dizzy and Wipe the inside and Spray the Hall connector, the Maf connector,  I tend to spray every connector I can find including the coil wire, and plug wires.

I usually don't have any issues with Carbon tracks or water in the connectors….

Here is the kicker… When the engine is dry, take your favorite brand of protectorant,  I use formula21.
Get a real fine misty sprayer, and fill it half with the protectorant, and half with distilled water.  Shake it well.

Now Spray the engine and every where with the fine mist.  Then close the hood and come back in a few hours, it will have evaporated, and left your engine bright and shiny with no residue.



 

When you do it, do the inside of the bonnet first. I just use engine degreaser stuff and a pressure washer which can be controlled for power, not a steam cleaner. And just use common sense ie don't aim it at the dizzy, coil and leads for ages.

Thanks guys, turned out to be a very helpful thread!!


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Good luck for your Choice


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I've done a few older cars like the MK1 and Minis without any problems. Done with a warm engine.

I'd be very wary with a modern like MK4 Golf or later, all those wires, looms, sensors, ECUs and electronic-ery

Early-1800 said

I've done a few older cars like the MK1 and Minis without any problems. Done with a warm engine.

I'd be very wary with a modern like MK4 Golf or later, all those wires, looms, sensors, ECUs and electronic-ery

Totally agree with this a mate of mine did his 06 reg Mercedes and to be honest it hasn't been right since, where as the old skool car are ok with all this cleaning experience lol

I've done this before.  Once when I topped the oil up and left the cap off and drove a few miles to work - all everywhere.  Steamed cleaned engine bay but always left the engine running whilst cleaning.  I put a rubber glove over the dizzy and cut holes in the ends of the fingers for the HT leads.  Never got any water in and cleaned the engine up well.