Hi pressure wash/ steam cleaning

[JDMills]

I have easy access to a high pressure (hot) water system, and have been thinking of cleaning out the engine room, as well as the frame and body of the truck. does that put too much water into the electrical components? and or is it smarter to use a steam cleaner.

Also is it smart to stay away from the chemicals and just use the heat of the water to strip the grease/dirt off. Or do the chemicals help speed the process?

 

[BushWakr - RIP]

The process I have used many many times is a garden hose set on heavy mist or 'shower'.

I wrap ALL the connections/connectors and make sure they are sealed up good, then let the degreaser sit on the engine for a bit... I hit the bad spots with extra degreaser...

When it has had a chance to do it's job... out comes the garden hose. I repeat as needed till all is clean.

Once that is done, I unwrap all the connections, spray with electrical contact cleaner, blow dry and apply dielectric grease then reconnect them as I go.

The product I had the most success with is called Ducan... or "The Duke". Since I'm up here in the great white north I don't know about it's availability down south, but it works good.

I use it on my differentials, T-Case, transmission, and all dirty grimey things...

Under my hood is clean as the day it came from the factory. . pretty much. .



OH, I wouldn't use a high pressure system of any sort but I'm sure others have, without any problems... still, I don't want to "force" water/steam/degreaser chemical into anything. .



Pastor Bob..... no I don't use Holy Water... not allowed

 

[DJW]

Of steam etc, pressure washers, with the Mickey Mouse electric connections used, probably best not to use anything stronger or with more force than what one would drink. Guiness makes Strong Bodies Stronger. Scrum Down

 

[dpuckett]

I used my boss's 3500psi/ 4gpm pressure washer to clean the engine and hood this summer, along with the transmission, driveshaft, diff, and the rest of the undercarriage. Only problem I've ever had is one time, I got some water in Mom's truck's pump wire, and it didnt want to start right away. Had to unhook it, and blow it out. DIdnt bother with grease, but I dont think I had any at the time.



Daniel

 

[JDMills]

Thanks for shairing your expierence. The front suspension is plenty greasy, and after scraping away at the drivers side coil spring with a putty knife, I have started to wounder if there is a better way.

I guess will try the least invasive process first... Thinking it over some more with a Guniess? may be it is abit early for that.

Jason

 

[bgilbert]

JD, you probly can take that Guiness (yuck) and pour it onto the grimey affected areas, might work as good as the degreaser! I've used degreasers, the car wash, so can't tell ya if thats real hot or very high pressure, but just use care and caution. Try not to spray electrical connections at least with HIGH pressure, and near the driver side fender area where its all electrical. Read the directions, some degreasers say use on cold and some on hot engines. Buy at least two can of degreaser just for the engine if its real bad, then another two cans for the underside of the truck. Don't be afraid of getting wet and dirty. Bring a change of clothes. When I bought my 91 it was pretty much nasty under hood and underneath. I was laying on the ground spraying underneath real good. Bill

 

[1stgen4evr]

pressure washing

A thing I heard of once regarding the pumps on John Deere equipment. Don't run cold water on the distributor head when the motor is hot and running. Some mechanics swear that it will kill the pump. I have NEVER heard of this on the VE.



Certainly caution is in order where water and electricity are mixed.



Jack Daniels is right good for flushing things out to.



1stgen4evr

James McPherson

 

[bmoeller]

If there is knob on the wand to turn down the pressure and have changeable tips w/different sized holes, you should be OK w/the washer. I use the one at work also. The one I use is 4000psi/4gpm. I can turn the pressure down far enough that I can put my hand in front of it without harm.

 

[JDMills]

I am thinking that this will be a couple hour long bath for the truck. so I have not even considered the car wash. Hoping to get the underside of the truck clean enough to paint. I will start with degreaser and a hose...