Just wondering what the thoughts are re a steam clean of the engine on the FF?

I am contemplating having it done since I have a fair bit of old residual oil on the sides from a while back.

Are there any disadvantages? Is it worth it? I am looking at £30 + VAT.

Some cantons in Switzerland insist on this - fortunately not mine. People worry about electrics but it's generally ok. I wouldn't do mine unless there's some serious mess.

As Kurt says, keep it away from electrics. Problem is the kit that is used is super powerful. I have a steam cleaner at home, tried it out on a mildy dirty/oily engine, just didn't touch it ?

That said some have gone at their engine bay with a pressure washer (do not recommend this!) .
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You can buy degreasers and engine cleaner that should shift old residue in visible areas with some cleverly constructed nooks and crannies getter atters and a wee bit of grime time without risking damage from a steam cleaner

Remember to keep the engine running whilst steam cleaning.... Previously..
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Don't go there........ High pressure washers put water where water normally can't get to.
My son did this on his Disco (which you would have thought could cope with a bit of water) and he was in a right mess afterwards.

Low pressure(100 psi) high temperature steam(150°) is superb for cleaning engine bays. I've been doing it for over 30 years and never once had a problem. The best method is to steam off heavy oily residue. ....This will take a while as you must continually stop to see what you are cleaning amongst the clouds of steam.

Then use a paintbrush to apply degreaser to the nooks and crannies. ...kerosene or diesel is just as effective. Leave for 30 mins or so and steam off again with low pressure high temperature steam.

Spray on general detergent...Traffic film remover. ..Cleaning foam etc....Leave settle and steam off again. ....Stand back and put on sun glasses to prevent the glorious dazzle emanating from your engine bay

I normally leave diesel engines switched off for this procedure. ...but I tend to leave petrol powered units run.

Avoid high pressure washing in the engine bay as this normally forces water where it is not desired 2008 Range Rover TDV8 435,000kms
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wealy wrote:

Don't go there........ High pressure washers put water where water normally can't get to.
My son did this on his Disco (which you would have thought could cope with a bit of water) and he was in a right mess afterwards.

I've done my l322 v8 a couple of times with a karcher hot washer, the type with a diesel burner, I did warm up the car, switch off, leave for 10 mins, and steam it, then sprayed on some traffic film remover, agaitated a few greasy areas with a few stiff brushes and an old toothbrush etc, gave it a good steam, even from underneath too, as I had it on some. Jacks , and I was on a step ladder, (helps) , then almost immediately after I finished, I started her up and after a few revs, I closed bonnet to bake it dry, leaving it running for about 15 mins. I washed car while I was baking it, as there was all sorts of crud balls over it. I had some old auto gym engine dresser that you spray on, it's a sort of lacquer in thinners solution, that dries off to a nice shine, like it's been clear coated, this is not to everyone's taste. But it does dull down a bit, and stops some rusting etc. looks real nice.

remember that the FF will wade through a considerable amount of water so its pretty well insulated ...as long as you dont directly pressurem wash the electrics you will be ok.
i done my engine bay with a basic washer after a trip on salisbury plain and it came up fairly clean.. ... - .- -.




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Don't do it! You run he risk of getting fine water spray into your ABS unit amongst others. I believe crud can actually help protect your bits!

I was always told not to steam clean engine bays as it was likely to remove all the protective wax put there at build stage.
Degreaser applied with a hand spray bottle, agitated with an old paint brush and gently cleaned off with a garden hose works for me.
I used to pressure wash the engine bay of my Discovery without any problems but I wouldn't risk it on an FFRR.
It's not such a bad idea to leave any oil / grease on the underside in place, certainly means no corrosion.