Quote:
Originally Posted by BrianW
If you use Gunk or any sort of degreaser, do the environment a favor and go to a self-serve car wash to do it. Generally they (are supposed to) have a filtering system for the waste water. Otherwise, you are washing your oil-contaminated water into the storm drains and then into the local water supply. Even in Ohio that's probably frowned upon ;-)
As a side question, is steam cleaning an engine a terrible idea? I know some car dealers do it for used cars.
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Even in Ohio? We're NOT that backward here in the midwest!
We have strict-for-us laws governing hazardous materials being introduced into storm or sanitary drains. FWIW we had a family of seeding folk who removed a mini van engine in their drive way and proceeded to drag it around back tipping it upside down of a storm drain access. The EPA were called and they referred the matter to our county Sheriff office---a visit was paid but not sure of the outcome. Those folks are long gone now, 10+ years ago.
But I did get this mess cleaned up, even removed the alternator for more clear access to the engine valley. There were a few pools of clean oil so a few handfuls of heavy duty paper towels and several cans of aerosol brake cleaner later the engine is mostly clean now.
Do know the rags and soaked oil-fouled materials will be placed in suitable receptacles similar to how used oil filters are disposed. I don't drive an electric vehicle but I do strive to NOT pollute at all times. I'm a frequent visitor to our local recycling bins.
As far as steam cleaning an engine---BAD idea! Same with pressure washers----their spray gets into spark plug wells, electrical connectors and other delicate electrical devices too quickly. There are probably tons of people who'll say its not big deal but that's easy enough said when its NOT their vehicles.