Steam Clean engine to investigate an oil leak

[jangol]

Have an oil leak, currently unable to see where it's coming from due to old oil & crud getting in the way.

Thinking about getting the engine top & bottom steamed cleaned to give a better chance of seeing where it has come from.. Looking at the drops on the floor, its engine oil... But oil levels appear to be fine..

Did look at using some old fashioned elbow grease, but don't think it will give as good as an outcome compared to the steam clean.

I'm just slightly concerned about the steam clean causing gremlins.

Has anyone had to steam clean engine, how did it end? Or can you offer an alternative.



[simonpoulton]

Any idea roughly where it is coming from? I.e. front, mid or back (where the gearbox is)?

Might be best to have a look at some of the obvious culprits first.
- Valve cover gaskets although mine were not getting too far down the engine
- Oil cooler hoses - they corrode. Near the front of the car
- Rear main seal flange / seal. That will be in the middle, where the engine meets the gearbox.
- Seals on the gearbox - will appear past the front wheels (there is a post on this at the moment)

Maybe park up to a mark, measure where the drips are landing on the from the mark and report back. Also dirty transmission oil on the floor can look like normal oil. When its on your finger you can tell the difference.

Let us know

[Shoppinit]

Get some cans of Pagid brake cleaner from ECP and apply liberally.

[Human Joist]

Get some cans of Pagid brake cleaner from ECP and apply liberally.

This. Personally steam cleaning worries me as its gets places it shouldn't

[jangol]

Cheers guys, once clear of the current oil I'll report back hopefully on where it's coming from...

[jangol]

Had call from garage, been informed there's oil over suspension also & gearbox.. Bit of a mad area..

[Shoppinit]

Burn it.

[Nobby]

Get some cans of Pagid brake cleaner from ECP and apply liberally.

This. Personally steam cleaning worries me as its gets places it shouldn't

Or buy a vat of the stuff and get a nice dispenser like this
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Cleaner-Bottle ... B007OVIQQ8

You'll use it so much the skin on your hands will never be the same again.

[TobyRS4]

Get some cans of Pagid brake cleaner from ECP and apply liberally.

This. Personally steam cleaning worries me as its gets places it shouldn't

I'm with you on this one, have worked in the car trade for over a decade and iv seen far too many instances of steam cleaned engine bays forcing water into electrics and creating problems all of its own.

[jangol]

Engine steam cleaned. Can already see oil.. Pics will be up over the wknd, once I can get the car in the air... Will need your help once their up..

[jangol]

I think I've found it... No idea how it happened...

Has anyone else have an oil filter fail...

What a strange one..

[Jay_g]

How long has that been on there? Looks a bit battered!

[ahoooga]

If that's in situ, it looks like its been put on with an old style chain oil filter removal tool ! which suggests someone didn't know how to change an oil filter

[Mɐʇʇ]

Yeh, if in situ, whoever last changed the filter shouldn't be allowed near cars.

[jangol]

Yep.. Will be paying them a visit, as it was changed last year along with the oil.. Will pick up a new one along with some oil