A number of people in my office has used a local car valet firm and always had great results. I want to have the '5 valeted (I can't be arsed to do it to that extent and my friend's 3 year old MGF looked brand new after they'd finished with it!) _but_ I also want to go for the engine steam clean option. They had a look and said that they'd done it (on other cars) countless times and it'd be fine. My 5 (1998R Berkeley) is getting a wee bit grubby (not much, but annoying) under the bonnet and this sounds like a good thing to do to tidy things up a bit. Basically, is this safe? - Is there anything I should look out for and any advice I can pass on to them - they said they'd only actually done engine cleaning on 2 MX5s before. Opinions? They do loads of work for show cars and the like, so they seem to be used to the idea in principle, I'd just like some other opinions....! (12/99)
I've heard more horror stories about engine steam cleans than good ones. I'd stay well clear. (12/99)
Main thing is to keep moisture WELL AWAY from the spark plug holes. (12/99)
In principle, no problem, but watch out for water down the plug holes. It is crucial that they are dry before the ngine is started - dry by spraying with WD40 if necessary. If it's misfiring when you start it, you're damaging plug leads, coils or igniter (or all three). '5's are more prone to this type of problem than most cars because of the ignition system design and the plug hole configuration. So go ahead - but make sure it's dry before it's started. Just MHO. (12/99)
Unless you've blown a hole in your engine or something and the bay is covered in oil or whatnot - I really wouldn't bother. There's too many stories I've heard about people having various electrical or ECU problems after an engine steam clean. I'd give it a miss and just get some rags out and some various polishes and cleaners and do it by hand if you're that bothered (-: (12/99)
The other thing Ive been told to watch when steam cleaning is your alarm/immobiliser can be damaged by the heat and/or moisture. (12/99)

Don't do it ... especially now with all the salt on the road.

I remember looking under the engine bay of a 4 year old '90 which had been dealer washed every service .. corrosion on every nut, bolt, and bit of aluminum .. and it was only the good quality of the electric connectors which had stopped the car becoming unreliable .. if it had been French or Italian it would be dead! I have a 10 year old 205k French car which is Waxoylled every autumn .. if you hot wash that car it comes up like new .. but looks poor to the untrained eye.

Best thing is to do it in the summer .. then buy a big tin of WD40 and waste it under there on every metallic object! I must admit to just taking some very hot water with detergent and hand washing then spray rinsing .. this does not remove too much .. but then it is a mollycoddle weekend car!

So if you must do it .. pay attention to the plugs/leads/coil packs (someone in US used corks in the plug holes...) and then attempt to put some protection back into the car .. most engines are delivered with a thin coating of wax which is removed by hot washing. (12/99)