holy crap my engine bay is like an oil slick! - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

jeremy · #1 11-21-2003, 03:30 PM

I spent 3 hrs today cleaning the engine compartment bay on my 240d and it hardly looks like I made A dent. Any tips or just jump back in it and keep on cleaning. by the way I saw pictures of A members engine bay just recently,and I am amazed how spotless it is it must have taken forever to do it!!!

mholbrook · #2 11-21-2003, 03:44 PM

Use a citrus cleaner like Zap or Castrol Purple. Spray on engine cold (hot engine can cause breakage of cast iron exhaust). Spray liberally and let it sit for about 5 minutes or so. Use hose or better yet a pressure washer to wash it off. Avoid obvious electrical stuff and watch your vacuum lines that they don't blow off. That should clean it up pretty good.

Stevo · #3 11-21-2003, 04:28 PM

jeremy

I use the degrease feature at the car wash. I do it while the engine is warm then hot soap then rinse. Your done in 15 minutes and everything is clean.

TX76513 · #4 11-21-2003, 05:15 PM

Cleaners alone won't give you the results that you want. Buy one of the assortment packs of dishwashing brushes. Ones with long handles for bottles and square ones. You are going to have to get into the nooks and crannies and use some elbow grease to get all that old film and grease off. Just do a little each time you wash your car -

Toblin · #5 11-21-2003, 05:18 PM

Caution! jeremy! Don't hit a hot IP with cold water. It could prove to be a very expensive cleaning. Find a cleaner that works "cold".

jeremy · #6 11-21-2003, 05:38 PM

I cleaned it this morning engine cold and used very light water pressure from garden hose I didn't want to damage anything,and drove it around the block A few times to make sure everything still worked fine used ORANGE BLAST CLEANER and A brush.

fz500sel · #7 11-21-2003, 07:55 PM

Jeremy,

when you used the orange cleaner and got all of the old oil and crud off, did it leave a stain in your driveway or wherever you cleaned it?

jeremy · #8 11-22-2003, 12:18 AM

no it didn't I did on the street in front of my place and just kept hosing the street down the stuff does disolve grease quite well just spray on the street if needed. I know it's not good for the enviorment but what else do you do.

punky · #9 11-22-2003, 10:00 AM

Here's an odd thought I just had. Has anyone ever tried that foamy sray on oven cleaner stuff. You know, spray it on overnight, hose it off in the morning. I know it's a great grease and crud cutter and doesn't strip paint off the oven. I'd prbably cover hoses and belts, have no idea what it would do to rubber. I might try it next time I degrease, unless someone has had a bad experience with it.

bodyart27 · #10 11-22-2003, 10:19 AM

I wrote this article for the nissan guys quite a few years ago, but it covers the basics on engine detailing (and some good tips)...

http://www.se-r.net/car_info/clean/detail_engine.html

somethings to remember:

avoid castrol super clean - it eats aluminum

warm but not a real hot engine due

careful of your vacuum lines (or know where everything plugs in)

#11 11-22-2003, 11:32 AM

Why not try do find a place that
does steamcleaning?

Where I live there is one that does this.
Once I have my MB straitend out I'll be
taking it there to be steamed.

Or get a product called GREASED LIGHTNING.
Very good for degreasing.
Should be available at your local Pep boys,
Auto zone or the like.

Louis.

fz500sel · #12 11-24-2003, 07:00 AM

there has been a few different threads under the "detailing" section on using Easy-off oven cleaner.

If you do a search under "easy-off" you probably will find them.

punky · #13 11-24-2003, 09:17 AM

Thanks, I'll check it out.