Steam cleaning engine. Machine suggestions? DIY/Homemade suggestions?

Are you talking about steam cleaners, or pressure washers?

Hotsy is about the only decent machine for Hot water pressure washing, durable but expensive

mitch504 said:

Are you talking about steam cleaners, or pressure washers?

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Yes, steam cleaners. It was new to me until recently; mechanics use them instead of engine degreasers.

Apparently, steam cleaning has been around for a long time in heavy equipment. Here is a quote from my 1989 Cat manual: "Steam cleaning your engine is a good preventative maintenance practice because it provides you with a way to detect oil and coolant leaks.... Steam cleaning the engine as recommended will also improve the engine's heat transfer characteristics."

I have seen a number of steam cleaners for engines on Amazon, but I suspect these are not as useful as what a shop mechanic would regularly use.

We have a unit from Power America (actually a Kärcher) that is temperature adjustable all the way to steam. Pressure to around 3000psi.It replaced an ancient Steam Jenny.

We usually run around 190°F and 2000psi. Using a butyl based cleaning solution.

The unit was not inexpensive and we did have to have a new coil made a few years ago but it has done a lot of work and worth the cost. Cleans way better than cold pressure washing.

i would doubt you could DIY any sort of steam unit that would be safe for the cost to buy one complete.

Ct Farmer said:

We have a unit from Power America (actually a Kärcher) that is temperature adjustable all the way to steam. Pressure to around 3000psi.It replaced an ancient Steam Jenny.

We usually run around 190°F and 2000psi. Using a butyl based cleaning solution.

The unit was not inexpensive and we did have to have a new coil made a few years ago but it has done a lot of work and worth the cost. Cleans way better than cold pressure washing.

i would doubt you could DIY any sort of steam unit that would be safe for the cost to buy one complete.

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Thank you! That gets me started.

Hotsy is what I have. It’s a 220 volt unit. At work we have a engine driven unit, forget the brand. If there’s a chance you’ll ever want to run remote off water tanks make sure it’ll suck from a tank and doesn’t rely on water pressure for feed. I seldom use the soap setup. You’ll want an assortment of nozzles, I have a nice gentle fan all the way to one I could write my name in concrete with.
As far as degreaser I use simple green most of the time. I know there are a ton of products out there. I’ve even put diesel in a Hudson can in a pinch. Just something to soak and loosen up the crud.

I don’t think you save yourself much trying to build something. I see low hour units for sale often. I only have a 50’ hose, a 100’ on a reel would be better. Also, a couple lengths of wands would be nice too.

And a FULL Rainsuit!!

Your going to end up with a hot water pressure washer seems true steam Jenny's are out of style

For 20 years on my small farm I half assed it with a 40 gallon water heater supplying a 4000 PSI gasoline washer with poor results. At the hand of someone else the motor locked up. I searched the options high and low. I wanted hot water to nearly steam. There are few manufacturers but many brands. I purchased a industrial Karcher with a Honda motor, electric start and Diesel burner. I also got a 36" driveway cleaner all for about 4K.That was some of the best money spent. All I can say is I should have done it years ago. There is no substitute for never ending pressure and heat.