Why scooby owners are not permitted to steam clean the engine compartment?

 

Presume this is for the same reason that you shouldn't do it for other makes, ie. engine electronics don't take kindly to being blasted by hot water. Steam gets into places that cooler water doesn't.

 

There is another reason, and I saw why at the weekend on somebodies car! The engine is coated with wax to prevent corrosion and rusting. Steam clean and the wax comes off, a few weeks later you have a very rusty engine.

 

Hi, From what I know the engine head is aluminum - does not rust? also I presume that this anti-rust wax could be re-applied? about the electrical system I also can't see a problem since everything is reasonably protected, also ECU is not located in engine compartment ???

 

Not sure whether "rust" is particularly iron oxide or whether it covers other oxidized metal. Anyway, a non-waxed alloy engine will turn white with corrosion very quickly. But certainly it could be reapplied. On my previous cars I've always put the car on the ramp when I got it and spray every shiny surface in sight with a bit of Waxoyl. Didn't bother with the Scooby since they seem to have a done a pretty good job already.

Rob.

 

Allan and Rob, you are correct.

The iron parts had rusted, but the worst of the damage was the pitting of all the aluminium surfaces.

 

I would like to hear from the guys at Manchester - can you recommend steam
cleaning with anti-rust treatment to follow ??? Any other dealers etc welcome.

 

Has anyone had the wax reaplied in a Subaru garage? If so how much was it?

I have what looks like some oxidisation of the engine alloy, how quickly does the oxidation process take hold?

 

A quick question for WRX owners with standard aircon/climate control.

Has your compressor been treated with waxoyl as well? If not, does it oxidise?

[This message has been edited by DavidLewis (edited 16-04-99).]