Alright, so I finally got around to steam washing my car's engine. It was long overdue, let me tell you. That bay was looking like a real mess, just caked with grime and dust from who knows how long. I’d been putting it off, but the other day I just thought, "Enough is enough!"

My Approach

I decided to go the steam route because I’d heard it’s a bit gentler than just blasting everything with a pressure washer, and uses way less water. Seemed like a good idea, especially with all the electronics under the hood these days.

Here’s basically what I did:

• Gathered my stuff: I used a pretty basic handheld steam cleaner I borrowed. Nothing fancy. Also had a few microfiber towels and a soft-bristled brush for any stubborn bits.
• Prep work is key: This was important. I made sure to cover up the sensitive parts. You know, the alternator, the air intake, the main fuse box, and any exposed electrical connectors I could see. I just used some plastic bags and a bit of tape. Didn't want to fry anything!
• Engine temp: I let the engine run for just a minute or two. Not to get it hot, just a little warm. Figured it might help loosen some of the grease. Then I switched it off and let it cool down a touch so I wouldn’t be steaming a super hot engine.

The Actual Cleaning

Then came the main event. I started at the top and worked my way down, section by section. The steam cleaner actually did a pretty good job cutting through a lot of the surface dirt and old, oily residue. I’d hit an area with steam, let it sit for a few seconds, and then wipe it down with a microfiber towel.

For some of the really caked-on gunk, especially around the valve cover and some of the lower parts, I had to go over it a few times. That’s where the soft brush came in handy. I’d steam the spot, give it a gentle scrub, then steam it again and wipe. It was a bit of a slow process, not gonna lie, especially since I was trying to be careful.

I made sure not to just blast steam directly and continuously at any one electrical component or connector, even the covered ones. Just quick passes.

The Outcome

After about an hour or so of this, I stepped back, and man, what a difference! It wasn’t like factory new, you know, it’s an old car. But it was a huge improvement. Most of the grease and dirt was gone. All the plastic covers looked much blacker, and you could actually see the metal parts again without a layer of grime on them.

I left the hood open for a good while afterwards, just to let everything air dry completely. Didn't want any moisture lingering where it shouldn't be.

So yeah, that was my little adventure in engine steam cleaning. Took a bit of patience, but definitely worth the effort. The engine bay looks so much better now, and it just feels good knowing it’s cleaner under there. If you’re thinking about doing it, I’d say go for it, just take your time with the prep and be gentle.