What's new
CK5
Register an account today to become a member! Once signed in, you'll be able to participate on this site by adding your own topics and posts, as well as connect with other members.

steam the chassis?

M

manbearpig

Newbie
Joined
May 9, 2012
Posts
3
Reaction score
0
Location
oakland
I just picked up a 1983 jimmy 6.2 diesel:waytogo: the guy I bought it fro. Was the original owner a and only used it for his duck hunting trips. He didnt drive it much but he drove it hard! The chassis seems fine, but it has layers of dirt,oil, sand, etc.. all over it. Is there any reason not to have it steamed:dunno:? I want to see what I'm doing down there and as it is I can't see the grease fittings, bolts, etc.. I'm new to diesels, but have done a fair amount of wrenching on my other trucks, I really want to go through the truck and keep it tip top, and I need some advice from the masters:rolleyes:
 
I'd be ready to oil or repaint it after steam cleaning it--I've watched too many of my trucks & cars frames turn to crusty flakes and rot away after removing the "protective" coating of oil & grease that accumulated over its lifetime...maybe in CA it wont happen as fast as it did here,but it will,if you leave the frame unprotected.......................................................................................I had a '79 C-10 "Bonanza" that was very rust free when I bought it,thanks to it's 250 six leaking like a seive out of its valve and side covers and oil pan---the mist of oil coated the entire underhood area and got blown back onto the rockers and floorpan,and frame,it was like it was dipped in a mixture of grease and oil ,then driven on dusty roads...it was like NEW under all that sludge when I blasted it off with a pressure washer,but I stupidly did nothing after that....less than 3 years later,the floors,inner fenders, and rockers had holes in them,and the frame looked like I had parked it in the atlantic for a year...:doah:...I used to like a clean undercarriage,but I think a sludgy one is better off,as far as preservation goes...
 
manbearpig said:
I just picked up a 1983 jimmy 6.2 diesel:waytogo: the guy I bought it fro. Was the original owner a and only used it for his duck hunting trips. He didnt drive it much but he drove it hard! The chassis seems fine, but it has layers of dirt,oil, sand, etc.. all over it. Is there any reason not to have it steamed:dunno:? I want to see what I'm doing down there and as it is I can't see the grease fittings, bolts, etc.. I'm new to diesels, but have done a fair amount of wrenching on my other trucks, I really want to go through the truck and keep it tip top, and I need some advice from the masters:rolleyes:
Click to expand...
Yeah nothing should prevent you from steaming it, but make sure you paint it where you see bare metal, you don't want to leave the exposed metal to rust.
 
Actually I am in nearly the same boat. 20-odd years as a daily driver and ranch truck has deposited plenty of gunk and the couple of years idle in the pasture left animal nests through out the engine bay.

I know I have an exhast leak and I thought it would be best to get it cleaned before trying to find/fix the leak.
 
I had mine done right after I bought it, since I live in a dry state I haven't resealed it or painted it, but I will eventually. But on the bright side I don't have chunks of crap falling on me everytime I crawl under and I was able to identify any leaks after they steamed it off.
 
JBerno said:
How do you go about steaming one?
Click to expand...

First you get a really big pot........:D

Best way, is just rent a steam cleaner.
But be warned, not only will clean steel rust, but gaskets that were sealed by crud may start leaking, and the high pressure can drive water and soap into places it should not go.

Figure on at least checking all fluids in units that you cleaned, and possibly changing them.
And, if you do the engine, do not expect it to crank.
It may, but it may not. High pressure can knock wires loose, and get moisture into a distributor cap.
Friend of mine decided to use one of those do it yourself high pressure cleaning wands at a car wash to clean his engine.
I had to go tow him home.

In other words, don't do it while parked blocking the driveway.
 
I has someone do it for me, check your local detailers. I'm sure you have companies out there that rent equipment but if you bring it somewhere that has a lift they will be able to do a better job. And they can deal with the mess it makes. I paid 150 for them to do my chassis and engine compartment.
 
JBerno said:
Ok, where would one rent one of these?
Click to expand...


Well, not a clue.
Locally, we have a couple of rent-all places that I have rented big Ditch Witches and other equipment from, and I saw them in there when I was picking up the equipment.

In Ky, no idea. They are nice gadgets to have, and I read the specs on them in Northern and wish I could justify buying one.

http://www.northerntool.com/shop/to...=mode+matchallpartial&Dx=mode+matchallpartial

Best bet is to check around at tool rent places in the phone book.
 
Nice input fellas, thanks. I mainly wanted to clean the gunk to see where gaskets may be leaking from etc.. but I think the reason the truck is running so nice is because the PO never did anything fishy to it, including cleaning! All that gunk is keeping it tip top. If I think its leaking I should probably just change it anyway, and leave the gunk:pimp: my main concern was the high pressure fouling things that should be have hot water forced into it especially melting old crusty gaskets.. I think I'm just gonna leave it, :whistle:
 
Steam cleaning is the generic term most people use..... But what you REALLY want is a place that does high temperature / low pressure wash with a mild solvent.

I found a place in San Jose (CA) that did it that way, and the truck came out spotless and no issues with water where I didn't want it! Cost me a touch over $100 IIRC. Worth every penny....

-G
 
I did mine with a Hotsy that I rented...I don't ever want to do that again...even with full rain gear I had oil and grease all over me...nasty...it's a very nasty job...would have gladly paid to have that done but nobody does it around here...
and the rust starts even before it dries...overnight it was just red dust, but it had already started...that was cleaning the frame and underneath...I will not be using that method to clean the engine...probably will use the thick style oven cleaner
 
I did mine with a Hotsy that I rented
Click to expand...


UUUhh, Chief, I think thats illegal in Al. And the last time I rented a Hotsy, I darn well steamed up something different than the undercarriage of my vehicle.

And if you decide to do it again, we want pics of said Hotsy...........
 
Fordum said:
UUUhh, Chief, I think thats illegal in Al. And the last time I rented a Hotsy, I darn well steamed up something different than the undercarriage of my vehicle.

And if you decide to do it again, we want pics of said Hotsy...........
Click to expand...

She's expensive, but very thorough....

truck wash girl.jpg
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Latest Posts

Top Bottom