The need to wash the car engine is a procedure, which periodically becomes relevant for several reasons. First of all, the engine is washed after emergencies, which led to its heavy pollution. Also, keeping the hood space clean allows you to identify possible leaks and quickly localize the problem. In other words, facilitates visual preventive inspection during vehicle operation or diagnosing a specific fault.
We also recommend reading the article about it, how to wash the engine with your own hands at home. In this article you will learn about the features and nuances of self-cleaning the engine at home.
Another reason, when the engine is better to wash, severe contamination of the power unit and attachments is considered, which leads to impaired heat transfer. If the motor is covered with a thick layer of dust, engine oil and other contaminants, then the engine needs washing. Cleaning the engine can be done in different ways, from manual "delicate" washing using special tools and ending with washing the engine Kercher with pressurized water and active cleaners. Note, that each of these methods has a number of disadvantages, as a result of which the washing of the engine by steam gained great popularity against this background.
Engine wash and consequences: it is dangerous to wash the engine with steam
Before, how to talk about steam engine washes, let's take a look at all the available ways to clean the engine. Let's start with the Kercher engine wash, as this service is very common. Quite obviously, that the ingress of water into the bonnet space is undesirable. With the problem of flooding electrical equipment, short circuit, the appearance of errors and engine failure to start after an unprofessional engine wash Kercher is well known to many drivers. This is what happens at a car wash, often problems arise after trying to clean the engine from dirt with a high-pressure device with your own hands in your own garage.
pay attention, it does not mean at all, that the engine cannot be washed by Kercher, water under pressure and in any other similar way. The point is, that this procedure must be performed correctly. Given the complexity of the process, most car washes simply ignore the basic rules.
The owner is warned in advance, that the car service does not bear any responsibility for possible consequences after washing of the engine by Kercher, that is, all actions are carried out at your own risk. Then the power unit is washed in the same way, as well as the body, applying shampoo and abundantly watering the space under the hood. When washing yourself, the main cause of problems is usually ignorance of motorists about possible problems or deliberate non-compliance with the rules of preparation of the car for engine washing.
We also recommend reading the article, how to wash a car engine with Kercher. In this article you will learn about it, how to prepare the engine for pressure washing, to avoid possible problems.
As for the hand wash, that is, without the use of pressurized water, so the procedure is less risky, but often has a purely cosmetic effect. The point is, that on the majority of modern cars access to many elements under a cowl is very difficult. It turns out, getting to many hidden or hard-to-reach surfaces and cavities under the hood with your hands and brush is extremely problematic.
Given the above, it becomes clear, that there is simply no safe way to wash the unit relatively quickly and at the same time qualitatively. Note, that the situation changed for the better after that, how the offer of washing the engine with steam appeared on the market of car services. The main advantage is to minimize the amount of water, which falls under the hood. Now let's look at the pros and cons of this process in more detail.
Why it is better to wash the engine with steam
Let's start with the obvious benefits. Steam engine wash is deservedly considered much safer than Kercher car wash in that form, in which this service is offered at car washes and small car repair shops. After cleaning with steam, you can not worry so much about it, the engine will start.
Steam has a better ability to penetrate hard-to-reach places. As a result, such a sink is better. At the same time, there is almost no risk of flooding the generator, electrical contacts, fuses, ECU and other electrical equipment.
The point is, that a steam generator is used for steam washing. The average vapor pressure in the device is about 9 atmospheres. In the usual Kercher water pressure can be on the mark from 150 bar and above. The general procedure for washing the engine with steam looks like this:
- the bonnet space is treated with an active cleaning agent;
- then the cleaner along with the softened dirt and deposits is removed by steam from the steam generator;
- after washing, the hood space is further dried to remove residual moisture;
Another advantage of such cleaning can be considered, that the vapor has a lower density and a higher temperature. For this reason, it is the steam that makes it easier to remove oil leaks, fuel, layers of dried dirt, etc., but the overall hydration is not as intense. As a result, the washing quality is good, less water and not much time is required.
Now about the shortcomings. First of all, the main disadvantage is the cost of the service of washing the engine with steam. The price can be up to two or even three times more expensive than a regular Kercher wash, as well as to be at the level or exceed the value (sometimes noticeable) a similar professional car wash with pressurized water with pre-treatment of the car (waterproofing of separate units and knots under a cowl).
The high cost is due to the relative novelty of the method, high cost of the steam generator, as well as the need for special training of staff in order to improve the skills of specialists. The point is, that the steam outlet may have a temperature of about 150 degrees Celsius and above. For this reason, you need to be able to work properly with the equipment, which will reduce the risk of serious burns and other injuries. Let's add, that for the above reason it is recommended to refrain from attempting to wash the engine by ferry itself in the absence of the necessary training and experience.
It is worth paying attention to that fact, that washing by steam does not mean, that oxidation and corrosion processes will not occur or will begin to proceed less intensively (in the presence of such). Steam is the same water, humidity under the hood after cleaning inevitably increases. For this reason, dielectric compounds and special rust preservatives should be used, which are recommended for use as in steam washing, and with any other methods of cleaning the power unit and washing the car under the hood.
Let's summarize
If you compare all the available cleaning methods, steam washing can be considered the safest for the engine. Also, this method saves a lot of time and quickly give the engine compartment a marketable look. The use of "soft" cleaning compositions in combination with steam cleaning gives quality and, most often, the best effect.
Finally, let's add, that the risk of spoiling the appearance or damage to plastic and rubber parts in the hood space is much less, than after washing with aggressive cleaners for manual cleaning.