Steam clean the engine?

[aahyoo]

Here's a photo of my E30 engine bay which I can only assume I took after the clean, though not sure how soon after?!...



Uploaded with ImageShack.us


Product was a "Traffic Film Remover" not 100% sure of brand (though I think it may have been AutoSmart) - make sure you rinse thoroughly as a little goes a long way...

[Wychall]

I have used Meguiars Super Degreaser for many years now.

A 4:1 dilution shifts the muck from the engine bay and without the after-odour that the likes of Gunk and Jizer have.

I also use it at 10:1 dilution for cleaning the upholstery, door jambs, wheels, dog and anything else that gets dirty.

Totally recommended!

http://www.meguiars.co.uk/product/284/Super-Degreaser/

Shop around and you can find it cheaper than that.

[aahyoo]

I have used Meguiars Super Degreaser for many years now.

A 4:1 dilution shifts the muck from the engine bay and without the after-odour that the likes of Gunk and Jizer have.

I also use it at 10:1 dilution for cleaning the upholstery, door jambs, wheels, dog and anything else that gets dirty.

Totally recommended!

http://www.meguiars.co.uk/product/284/Super-Degreaser/

Shop around and you can find it cheaper than that.

You use it on your dog?!?

[Wychall]

You use it on your dog?!?

Yup! If a quick hose doesn't shift the muck then the degreaser will. Quite safe.

I also use a stonger mix for hand cleaning after muchanicing, clean the paintwork around the house, degunge the oven and lots of other uses.

[Oldiebut goodie]

I have used Meguiars Super Degreaser for many years now.

A 4:1 dilution shifts the muck from the engine bay and without the after-odour that the likes of Gunk and Jizer have.

I also use it at 10:1 dilution for cleaning the upholstery, door jambs, wheels, dog and anything else that gets dirty.

Totally recommended!

http://www.meguiars.co.uk/product/284/Super-Degreaser/

Shop around and you can find it cheaper than that.

I wouldn't use it on a dog!:

MEGUIAR'S D108 - DETAILER SUPER DEGREASER
Chemwatch Material Safety Data Sheet
Issue Date: 4-Mar-2008 CHEMWATCH 02-1324
NC317ECP Version No:2
CD 2008/1 Page 11 of 14

TOXICITY IRRITATION
Oral (rat) LD50: 273 mg/kg Skin (human): 50 mg/24h SEVERE
Skin (rabbit): 50 mg/24h SEVERE
Eye (rabbit): 1mg/24h rinse- Moderate
Asthma-like symptoms may continue for months or even years after exposure to the material
ceases. This may be due to a non-allergenic condition known as reactive airways
dysfunction syndrome (RADS) which can occur following exposure to high levels of highly
irritating compound. Key criteria for the diagnosis of RADS include the absence of
preceding respiratory disease, in a non-atopic individual, with abrupt onset of
persistent asthma-like symptoms within minutes to hours of a documented exposure to the
irritant. A reversible airflow pattern, on spirometry, with the presence of moderate to
severe bronchial hyperreactivity on methacholine challenge testing and the lack of
minimal lymphocytic inflammation, without eosinophilia, have also been included in the
continued...
MEGUIAR'S D108 - DETAILER SUPER DEGREASER
Chemwatch Material Safety Data Sheet
Issue Date: 4-Mar-2008 CHEMWATCH 02-1324
NC317ECP Version No:2
CD 2008/1 Page 10 of 14
Section 11 - TOXICOLOGICAL INFORMATION
criteria for diagnosis of RADS. RADS (or asthma) following an irritating inhalation is an
infrequent disorder with rates related to the concentration of and duration of exposure
to the irritating substance. Industrial bronchitis, on the other hand, is a disorder that
occurs as result of exposure due to high concentrations of irritating substance (often
particulate in nature) and is completely reversible after exposure ceases. The disorder
is characterised by dyspnea, cough and mucus production.
The material may produce moderate eye irritation leading to inflammation. Repeated or
prolonged exposure to irritants may produce conjunctivitis.
The material may cause severe skin irritation after prolonged or repeated exposure and
may produce on contact skin redness, swelling, the production of vesicles, scaling and
thickening of the skin. Repeated exposures may produce severe ulceration.
EDTA TETRASODIUM SALT:
unless otherwise specified data extracted from RTECS - Register of Toxic Effects of
Chemical Substances.
TOXICITY IRRITATION
Oral (rat) LD50: 2000- 3200 mg/kg* Skin (rabbit):500 mg/24h- Moderate
Eyes (rabbit): 1.9 mg
Eyes (rabbit):100 mg/24h- Moderate
*[BASF]
Asthma-like symptoms may continue for months or even years after exposure to the material
ceases. This may be due to a non-allergenic condition known as reactive airways
dysfunction syndrome (RADS) which can occur following exposure to high levels of highly
irritating compound. Key criteria for the diagnosis of RADS include the absence of
preceding respiratory disease, in a non-atopic individual, with abrupt onset of
persistent asthma-like symptoms within minutes to hours of a documented exposure to the
irritant. A reversible airflow pattern, on spirometry, with the presence of moderate to
severe bronchial hyperreactivity on methacholine challenge testing and the lack of
minimal lymphocytic inflammation, without eosinophilia, have also been included in the
criteria for diagnosis of RADS. RADS (or asthma) following an irritating inhalation is an
infrequent disorder with rates related to the concentration of and duration of exposure
to the irritating substance. Industrial bronchitis, on the other hand, is a disorder that
occurs as result of exposure due to high concentrations of irritating substance (often
particulate in nature) and is completely reversible after exposure ceases. The disorder
is characterised by dyspnea, cough and mucus production.
WATER:
unless otherwise specified data extracted from RTECS - Register of Toxic Effects of
Chemical Substances.
No significant acute toxicological data identified in literature search.
Section 12 - ECOLOGICAL INFORMATION
Do NOT allow product to come in contact with surface waters or to intertidal areas below
the mean high water mark. Do not contaminate water when cleaning equipment or disposing
of equipment wash-waters.
Wastes resulting from use of the product must be disposed of on site or at approved waste
sites.
Cationic substances, and their polymers and those polymers that are reasonably
anticipated to become cationic in the natural aquatic environment (pH range 4-9) may be
environmental hazards.
Exempt from this concern are those polymers to be used only in solid phase, such as ionexchange
resins, and where the FGEW (Functional Group Equivalent Weight) of cationic
groups is not 5000 and above.
Cationic groups such as alkylsulfoniums, alkylphosphoniums and quaternary ammonium
polymers are highly toxic to fish and other aquatic organisms. Similarly potentially
cationic groups such as amines and isocyanates are of concern. Some cationics, however,
may fall into the category of PLCs (polymers of low concern) provided they possess low
charge density, and/or are not water-soluble or are not self-dispersing polycarboxylates
or poly- (aromatic or aliphatic) sulfonate polymers.
The toxicity of quaternary ammonium compounds is known to be greatly reduced in the
environment because of preferential binding to dissolved organics in surface water.
Prevent, by any means available, spillage from entering drains or water
courses.
DO NOT discharge into sewer or waterways.
Refer to data for ingredients, which follows:
OLEYLAMMONIUM CHLORIDE, ETHOXYLATED:
Cationic substances, and their polymers and those polymers that are reasonably
anticipated to become cationic in the natural aquatic environment (pH range 4-9) may be
environmental hazards.
Exempt from this concern are those polymers to be used only in solid phase, such as ionexchange
resins, and where the FGEW (Functional Group Equivalent Weight) of cationic
groups is not 5000 and above.
Cationic groups such as alkylsulfoniums, alkylphosphoniums and quaternary ammonium
polymers are highly toxic to fish and other aquatic organisms. Similarly potentially
cationic groups such as amines and isocyanates are of concern. Some cationics, however,
may fall into the category of PLCs (polymers of low concern) provided they possess low
charge density, and/or are not water-soluble or are not self-dispersing polycarboxylates
or poly- (aromatic or aliphatic) sulfonate polymers.
The toxicity of quaternary ammonium compounds is known to be greatly reduced in the
environment because of preferential binding to dissolved organics in surface water.
PROPYLENE GLYCOL MONO-N-PROPYL ETHER:
DO NOT discharge into sewer or waterways.
POTASSIUM HYDROXIDE:
Prevent, by any means available, spillage from entering drains or water
courses.
DO NOT discharge into sewer or waterways.
EDTA TETRASODIUM SALT:
DO NOT discharge into sewer or waterways.
Not readily biodegradable. Harmful to aquatic organisms.
May cause long term adverse effects in the aquatic environment. [ORICA]
Toxicity to fish: LC50 (96h): >500 mg/l (Leuciscus idus)
Toxicity to daphnae (acute): EC50 (48h): >100 mg/l
Toxicity to algae EC50 (72h): 10-100 mg/l
COD Value: 570 mg O2/g
BOD5-Value: 20 mg O2/g
Toxicity to bacteria: 50 mg/l Warburg test

[Wychall]

Any other suggestions for shifting oily smears from the fur then? Although I suppose you would say don't allow the dog to get oily?

[aahyoo]

I use dog shampoo.

[Cruz]

Can I please make it clear that no dogs were harmed in the cleaning of my engine

[Oldiebut goodie]

[aahyoo]

Can I please make it clear that no dogs were harmed in the cleaning of my engine

Pahahahaa!

[AdrianC]

Can I please make it clear that no engines were harmed in the cleaning of my dog

[Wychall]

I find a wire haired terrier ideal for loosening those stubborn deposits.

[Oldiebut goodie]

Wireworms are good for those crevices and dark corners.

[Plasticman]

All i can add is that some of the vans ive been to view over the years would have benefitted from having the rest of the interior lanced over with the steam pig
mm

[ghost123uk]

Back on topic !



I would just steam clean the dog whilst doing the engine bay.