3rd Generation Specific (1993-2002) 1993-2002 Discussion including performance modifications and Technical Support Sections.
Sponsored by:

Steam Cleaning Engine via UIM

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 04-15-10, 12:18 AM
  #51  
Garage Hero

iTrader: (93)
 
mannykiller's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Quartz Hill
Posts: 4,205
Likes: 0
Received 17 Likes on 14 Posts
Originally Posted by Sgtblue
The 'before to after' increase of compression that your reporting would have nothing to do with the "tune", "set-up" or after driving a few miles in between compression tests.

I'm a believer in water injection. I've done it myself a few times over the years...just never with your remarkable results. And with the installation of AI, I don't anticipate a need to do it the "old fashion way" anymore. My feeling is it's also marginally riskier to do an "all at once" water ingestion vs. AI... and you don't have the other benefits.
I'm not talking about before and after results at all having anything to do with the tune.. i'm talking about Carbon build up... Depending on your set up and tune..spark plugs, mantenance etc will have an affect on how much carbon build up in your motor. If you have a higher hp built motor and your tune is not so street friendly.. you may end up benefiting much more from a steam clean than say a stock motor on a base map with low miles.

I actually have an AEM water meth injection kit on my car... but either way the injection is to cool your intake temp....not ment to fully steam your motor...it does help a lot in the long run. My remarkable results could also be due to poor maintenance by the previous owner as well. Not everyone takes care of their FD's like they should. And again AI injection is far different from steam cleaning.... it's not like people would run around with gallons of water hooked up to their UIM's.
Old 04-15-10, 12:36 AM
  #52  
Rotary Enthusiast
iTrader: (34)
 
twinsinside's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: japan
Posts: 771
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
I think the best thing about this, and the reason you get good compression increases is because of the crap that builds up down in the seal's springs.

I've taken engines apart and the seals had little or no flex in them due to carbon build up, sometimes you can even see the seal is lopsided because one end of the seal builds up more carbon than the other. I can only imagine what this does to the rotor housings due to uneven wear.

But then I'm not an expert so what do i know.
Old 06-05-10, 03:31 AM
  #53  
Senior Member

iTrader: (2)
 
TheCrazyAZN's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: Dallas, Tx
Posts: 707
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes on 2 Posts
Originally Posted by mannykiller
Cool cool..... my compression was 97 in the rear and 94 in the front before the steam clean. After my steam clean both were well over 115... i'll do another check in about a month or so just to see if it's stayed the same. but as of right now I couldn't be happier.
Quick bump.

Mannykiller, any updates on this?
Old 06-05-10, 03:43 AM
  #54  
Garage Hero

iTrader: (93)
 
mannykiller's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Quartz Hill
Posts: 4,205
Likes: 0
Received 17 Likes on 14 Posts
Yes sir... Just had my intake mani semi-ported and decided to do a check on it while it was so easily accessible. Both housings still over 115 each I'll be doing a steam clean with every other oil change for now on.
Old 06-05-10, 02:06 PM
  #55  
Full Member

iTrader: (1)
 
nrattV7's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Kansas
Posts: 146
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
I'd like to add in my experience into this thread eventhough I used Seafoam instead of water.

Did a compression test on the engine this year since I was gonna go single turbo on it. My engine compression results when I first bought the car were 110 psi both rotors. A year later used Seafoam instead of water to clean out the rotors. Didn't have anyone to help me check the compression on the rotors at that time so I went ahead with my normal maintenance and didn't check. A year after the Seafoam clean did maintenence and checked my compression. 120+ psi on both rotors . Did the compression test 3 times to each rotor just to make sure I wasn't just seeing things.
Old 06-05-10, 02:23 PM
  #56  
Garage Hero

iTrader: (93)
 
mannykiller's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Quartz Hill
Posts: 4,205
Likes: 0
Received 17 Likes on 14 Posts
I think results vary depending on fuel set-up and tune but i'm a firm firm believer. My car idles better. revs better and just overall runs better.. smoother too.
Old 06-20-10, 10:06 AM
  #57  
Banned. I got OWNED!!!
iTrader: (1)
 
Ratjar's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Orion
Posts: 462
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
just tried it a few days ago, seems smoother and idles better. a **** ton of white smoke (figured steam would vanish a few inches out of the exhuast) when I did it.. seems better. way to lazy to do 2 compression tests....
Old 06-21-10, 04:03 PM
  #58  
Rotor Head Extreme

iTrader: (8)
 
t-von's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2002
Location: Midland Texas
Posts: 6,719
Likes: 0
Received 26 Likes on 17 Posts
I've been doing the water thing for years on my rotarys. The steam also keeps the cat clean and clog free if you still have the stock exhaust. A cleaner cat perfect for those that have to emissions test.
Old 06-26-10, 09:30 PM
  #59  
10-8-10

iTrader: (7)
 
adamrs80's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: San Antonio, TX
Posts: 855
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
I just did the water ingestion steam clean. A couple of things that I noticed....

It had been stated before that the cat would get really hot. Mine was damn near orange-yellow.

Does everybody have the same bright orange cat?

I had no visible steam, however I was in the car. I did video it and at playback I still did not see steam. I ran a 10' hose so I could drop the hose into the distilled water and keep the engine around 3000. I didn't have a buddy to help. In 3 1/2" minutes the car drank a 1/2 gallon. By that time I had a small amount of smoke coming from under the car. I shut it off immediately and moved the box fans I had running so they were directly under the cat which was cooking. I think the smoke was just coming from my wrapped/sprayed downpipe or maybe a little oil off the turbo but either way I got scared and quit.

How long did it take to ingest 1 gallon? Has anybody timed it? It took 3.5 minutes for a 1/2 gallon. Seemed slow to me.

Maybe there was no vapor because it's very hot and humid right now in San Antonio. If it were chilly I think I could have expected a cloud. I'm running an AEM water injection kit so I probably won't do this again, nor do I expect a large power increase. My compression readings earlier today after a warm up were 105-110 but my gauge has always read low compared to a buddys snap-on gauge.
Old 06-27-10, 12:06 AM
  #60  
Banned. I got OWNED!!!
iTrader: (1)
 
Ratjar's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Orion
Posts: 462
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
it didnt take very long at all for me. i didnt notice the cat. how can you guys all see the cat? are you looking under your car? or can you see it over the turbo?
Old 06-27-10, 02:52 AM
  #61  
Rotary Enthusiast

iTrader: (4)
 
Ernesto13B's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: California
Posts: 1,114
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Speaking of emission tests, It appears to me that cleaning the engine with seafoam has the same result as cleaning the engine with water in that it will reduce/eliminate all carbon build up and probably help big time on a smog test AND build compression too??

I have a high idle issue I have to work out first, but I definitley need to get this done!
Old 06-27-10, 04:18 AM
  #62  
Senior Member

iTrader: (2)
 
Teerx7's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Long Beach
Posts: 417
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes on 2 Posts
would anybody not recommend doing "steam cleaning" to a newly rebuilt motor thats broken in for about 1.5k miles even if the compression was great...

Steam cleaning seams to be a good idea, since usually the engine is driven under very light loads and it would clean some of the residue from the assembly lube/oil and the carbon build up from break in period? or is it to early to try this...
Old 06-27-10, 06:04 AM
  #63  
It ain't easy being brown

iTrader: (8)
 
Evopanda's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: San Diego
Posts: 337
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Originally Posted by nrattV7
I'd like to add in my experience into this thread eventhough I used Seafoam instead of water.

Did a compression test on the engine this year since I was gonna go single turbo on it. My engine compression results when I first bought the car were 110 psi both rotors. A year later used Seafoam instead of water to clean out the rotors. Didn't have anyone to help me check the compression on the rotors at that time so I went ahead with my normal maintenance and didn't check. A year after the Seafoam clean did maintenence and checked my compression. 120+ psi on both rotors . Did the compression test 3 times to each rotor just to make sure I wasn't just seeing things.
I wanted to know what oz. of Seafoam to gallon of petrol ratio you used . Their website doesnt have a ratio for rotory motors. Thanks.
Old 06-27-10, 10:53 AM
  #64  
10-8-10

iTrader: (7)
 
adamrs80's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: San Antonio, TX
Posts: 855
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
Originally Posted by Ratjar
it didnt take very long at all for me. i didnt notice the cat. how can you guys all see the cat? are you looking under your car? or can you see it over the turbo?
Look under the car from the rear or from in front of the passenger rear wheel. I had it jacked up a little in the front because I was doing a compression test from below right before I did the water. That may have made it easier to see.

Make sure your floor can withstand the heat and I'd recommend fans blowing under the car just to move some of that heat out of there. I thought my undercoating or some other rubber was melting but when I looked all around after it cooled off I did not see any damage. This probably happens to everybody and maybe it's nothing to be worried about but the smoke and hot cat got me worried.
Old 06-27-10, 10:54 AM
  #65  
10-8-10

iTrader: (7)
 
adamrs80's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: San Antonio, TX
Posts: 855
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
Originally Posted by Teerx7
would anybody not recommend doing "steam cleaning" to a newly rebuilt motor thats broken in for about 1.5k miles even if the compression was great...

Steam cleaning seams to be a good idea, since usually the engine is driven under very light loads and it would clean some of the residue from the assembly lube/oil and the carbon build up from break in period? or is it to early to try this...
I would not recommend it at that point. Just get a water injection kit and drive it right.
Old 06-27-10, 10:56 AM
  #66  
10-8-10

iTrader: (7)
 
adamrs80's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: San Antonio, TX
Posts: 855
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
Originally Posted by nrattV7
I'd like to add in my experience into this thread eventhough I used Seafoam instead of water.

Did a compression test on the engine this year since I was gonna go single turbo on it. My engine compression results when I first bought the car were 110 psi both rotors. A year later used Seafoam instead of water to clean out the rotors. Didn't have anyone to help me check the compression on the rotors at that time so I went ahead with my normal maintenance and didn't check. A year after the Seafoam clean did maintenence and checked my compression. 120+ psi on both rotors . Did the compression test 3 times to each rotor just to make sure I wasn't just seeing things.
Are you saying you added seafoam to the tank or actually let your car suck it up through the vac lines? That seems dangerous, isn't seafoam really flammable?
Old 06-27-10, 07:45 PM
  #67  
10-8-10

iTrader: (7)
 
adamrs80's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: San Antonio, TX
Posts: 855
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
I just watched the video on a large screen, there was some visible steam, but it was over 90 outside so I think that is what kept it to a minimum.

I think the lower you can keep it revved the faster it would draw in the water. My car pulls the most vacuum at low engine speeds. I think thats probably obvious to most of us.
Old 06-28-10, 02:06 AM
  #68  
Garage Hero

iTrader: (93)
 
mannykiller's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Quartz Hill
Posts: 4,205
Likes: 0
Received 17 Likes on 14 Posts
hmmmm
Old 07-01-10, 07:09 PM
  #69  
MODERATOR


iTrader: (137)
 
Alex Rodriguez's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Houston Texas
Posts: 6,441
Received 9 Likes on 8 Posts
You know what we need is a official thread on actual compression numbers before and after the steam clean and on top of the thread a step by step how to.
Old 07-01-10, 09:49 PM
  #70  
10-8-10

iTrader: (7)
 
adamrs80's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: San Antonio, TX
Posts: 855
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
I think that would be nice to know but I don't really trust the accuracy of many of the $50 compression gauges. Mine reads low compared to a friends snap-on and it's supposed to be a pretty good one. It would be helpful to see the increases between the before and after but the actual numbers could be +/- 10 psi in my opinion. I wish we all had easy access to a mazda compression tester.
Old 07-02-10, 03:22 PM
  #71  
I Like Guns

iTrader: (5)
 
jhammerrx7's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: Bismarck, ND
Posts: 512
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Do you think this would be beneficial if I am about to pull the engine for a rebuild?
Do you think it would help out with the cleaning process since I am disassembling the engine? Or wouldn't it help much. I am going to be using a parts washer for the disassembly anyway.
Old 07-02-10, 07:54 PM
  #72  
Turd Ferguson

iTrader: (1)
 
grimple1's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Sherman Oaks, California
Posts: 2,047
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
Originally Posted by adamrs80
I think that would be nice to know but I don't really trust the accuracy of many of the $50 compression gauges. Mine reads low compared to a friends snap-on and it's supposed to be a pretty good one. It would be helpful to see the increases between the before and after but the actual numbers could be +/- 10 psi in my opinion. I wish we all had easy access to a mazda compression tester.
it wouldn't matter as long as the same gauge is used in the pre and post. the instrument may not read correctly at baseline.. but if there is an increase it will show up. You just couldn't trust the numbers for compression reasons... but you could trust the increase.

Does that make sense? As long as the same gauge is used it wouldn't matter how accurate the compression numbers are. We're just looking for increases. If the compression gauge read 10 and then read 25, we know the compression isn't accurate but that there was evidence of an increase.
Old 07-03-10, 06:55 AM
  #73  
10-8-10

iTrader: (7)
 
adamrs80's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: San Antonio, TX
Posts: 855
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
Yes it would be nice to know the total change for each person, regardless of whether their baseline number was accurate to begin with.
Old 07-03-10, 08:48 PM
  #74  
Rotary Freak

iTrader: (12)
 
moehler's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: South Jersey
Posts: 2,319
Received 32 Likes on 27 Posts
I just did this today. I did one gallon for each rotor housing. Car felt good afterward, but I can't say that there was any dramatic difference. I changed the oil afterwards and there was a ton of water in it, so I highly recommend an oil change after doing this.
Old 07-05-10, 07:49 AM
  #75  
Senior Member

iTrader: (1)
 
f2racer's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: Bedford, MA, USA
Posts: 379
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
I just did about 2/3 of a gallon yesterday through both nipples connected to a T. Reason why I stopped is due to the steam/smoke coming from the engine compartment (very little came out of the exhaust). Didn't do it when I first started and it wasn't too bad when I pulled the line out of the water, but I didn't want to take any chances. Anybody else have steam/smoke in the engine compartment when you did this?

Thanks!


Quick Reply: Steam Cleaning Engine via UIM



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 01:01 AM.