Steam Cleaners

[Kerwin]

Wondering if anyone has tried using one of the smaller household steam cleaners to clean an engine of caked on oil/grease? A quick search found a Wagner steam cleaner and a McCulloch steam cleaner online for around $150. Just wondering if they have the output to clean an engine. Thanks.

 

[gregww]

I tried one of those things at work to clean machines. If you have 2 days to spare, you might make a difference on a very small machine. That was my experience anyway.

 

[LarrySTN]

A hot water pressure washer does a much better job than a steam cleaner, but they are quite pricey. Having 180* water at 3500 psi gets the job done, whereas steam has very little mass even though the temperature is @ 220*. Rapid expanding steam is rapidly trying to cool as is leaves the nozzle. I used a Steam Jenny steam cleaner many years ago and was much less than impressed.

 

[Bret4207]

You'd be days doing it I think. They aren't real steam cleaners. Probably the easiest answer is to put whatever you want cleaned on a trailer and try to find a car wash with a hot water wand. Assuming you can get in and use it without someone going nutso because of the mess it leaves, the $5.00 in quarters you spend will do the trick.

 

[Kerwin]

Thanks guys for the comments. That's why I like this site, get the info before spending the money on something that won't work as I want.

 

[Oregon Tractor Jack]

Don't waste your money like I did. The output from those little steamers is to low to really do anything. You will be better off with a pressure washer and some type of de-greaser solution.


OTJ

 

[showcrop]

I used a steam cleaner once. It came off the building steam heat. It didn't really seem to do that well. A hot water pressure washer has much more force.