I just cleaned my engine bay today. I didn't let the degreaser sit in that long, ut it turned out pretty good, and I was in a hurry. I sprayed it off, with the air filter, plugs, and wires all covered. They got a little wet, but every thing seems to work fine.

I started up my engine and drove around slowly to get it warmed up, and found steam comming from the engine. Yeah, that's normal, there was water on it. It's parked now, I just got back, and there is now only bluish steam rising from one area.

Looking from the center of the car, it is almost entirely below the engine just off to the left of the body of the engine. this is the only thing that has this bluish steam rising from it, it seems. I'll check my Haynes manual, but what is this, and was I supposed to cover it up? It is made of fairly thin metal, in a box-type shape.

Thanks for any help or advice you can give.

 

Oh yeah. Also, around 3000 RPM or a little more, it seemed that the engine lost power. I just installed a K&N air filter today, and didn't get to put the sealing grease on, but I don't think any of that applies to my question.

And... in the time that it took me to type the first post, there is now nothing rising from the engine.



EDIT: I believe the steam was rising from the thermal reactor. I am assuming this should mean that the thermal reactor was just burning off some water inside the shroud.

I'll keep you posted on my loss of power question. Thanks.

 

Hmmm Maybe I will do mine tonight after work...

 

If you get the cap and rotor on the distributer wet, it will miss util it dries. Thats probably why you had a hesitation at 3k rpm.

 

I did mine just yesturday , I didn't have any degreaser. So I just took out the battery put a bag over the altenator hosed it down a bit cleaned it up with a cloth. Let it sit for about an hour started it up fine took it for a spin and everything was ok. It made a big differenc i bought the car last week and the engine bay was really dirty. I was pleased.

 

You rinsed the motor when it was cool didnt you??

 

Alright, thanks. Sounds like there's no problem...I've been driving it more now and it's all dry and no smoking. And yes, the engine was cool when I cleaned it.

I'm going to clean it again sometime and borrow my neighbor's pressure washer, I only used a hose this time. My engine already looks alot better.

 

I do not do all the prep work that others do for a cleaning (nothing gets covered), but just prepare for removing the cap and drying the dist. and realizing that water on wires may make it run bad for a short time.
I will typically clean an engine at least 2 or 3 times to be sure I have it as clean as I can get it (a couple of cans of de-greaser & high pressure at car wash each time). When I'm sure I can't do any better, I WAX the engine bay (car wash style). The wax helps keep dirt and grime from sticking and afterwards I keep it clean by just hitting it with the high pressure soap and re-waxing when I do the rest of the car.
Regaurdless of the outside condition of the car (rust, dents, bad paint, etc.) the engine bay will pass the "white glove test"! Having a clean engine bay allows me to spot any fluid leaks immeadiatly and not get too dirty if any "side of the road" repairs are neccesary.