Engine Cleaning - Benzworld.org - Mercedes-Benz Discussion Forum

zubyc · 12-25-2002, 01:17 PM

Well from my most recent off roading the entire engine bay has become extremly dirty. I was wondering how can I clean it?

garyroseyu · 12-25-2002, 01:23 PM

or if you don't want to spend too much money just use Simple Green.

UniquelySanFrancisco · 12-25-2002, 01:54 PM

It sounds like a good piece of info to know when cleaning the engine bay.

When you say steam clean, it sounds like you have to buy a steam cleaner? But the only steam cleaners I know are for curtains, clothes and furnitures.

As for Simple Green, isn't that a degreaser? Wouldn't it be dangerous to use a degreaser in or around the engine as it may degrease everything???

I have never cleaned that part (engine bay) of the car before. It would be cool to know how.

Thanks Gary!

garyroseyu · 12-25-2002, 02:20 PM

Quote:

When you say steam clean, it sounds like you have to buy a steam cleaner? But the only steam cleaners I know are for curtains, clothes and furnitures.

No, those are not powerful enough. What I meant was to take it to the detail shop and have them steam clean it for you. You might be able to find some auto shops with one that you can use for a fraction of the cost and do it yourself.

Quote:

As for Simple Green, isn't that a degreaser? Wouldn't it be dangerous to use a degreaser in or around the engine as it may degrease everything???

Ahh, Simple Green is the safest and most effective cleaner out there IMHO. It's non-toxic, bio-degradable, and non-corrosive. You can drink the stuff (don't recommend it though [:D]). Just spray and wipe. Yes, it degreases, but not in a corrosive way. The active ingredient is Surfactant agents that lift grease and oil up off of the surface, wetting agents help Simple Green penetrate soils, and emulsifiers put those soils into solution so that they can be washed away. http://www.simplegreen.com/

If there's lots caked on dirt, I would go and steam clean it. If it's just dusty, I would just apply Simple Green with some elbow grease.

UniquelySanFrancisco · 12-25-2002, 03:29 PM

garyroseyu · 12-25-2002, 04:26 PM

Drew · 12-25-2002, 04:36 PM

Quote:

Well from my most recent off roading the entire engine bay has become extremly dirty. I was wondering how can I clean it?

Firstly, make sure that all of the caps to the bottles, etc. are tight. Next, take a plastic bag and cover up the alternator, located on the left hand side of the engine block. Cover it up well.

You can then go ahead and spray some degreaser such as Simple Green. Don't use too much or it there will be to much lather. You can then lightly spray some water and brush down the area lightly. Next, hose it off with a light spray. It's better to do multiple light sprays rather than one heavy spray (hosing down). After that, let it dry and you're done!

Don't be surprised if you hear some squealing from the belts after you first start up the engine. This is completely normal as the belts, if wet, will slip momentarily.

AlBoston · 12-25-2002, 06:00 PM

how the hell do u bag the alternator? I never did this and all my cars are fine.

zubyc · 12-25-2002, 06:23 PM

Thanks for the info....I'll probably just get it steam cleaned because it will take a very long time to do it the Simple Green way.

Drew · 12-25-2002, 06:41 PM

Quote:

how the hell do u bag the alternator? I never did this and all my cars are fine.

so that the water doesn't get into it when you hose down the engine. Why take the chance when you can cover it in 2 seconds? I was told to do this by the service technicians and the shop foreman and it just makes common sense not to wet a major electrical component.