jvanbrecht

I Topped off my oil... and drove off..... forgettingthe oil cap... fortunately, it was still where I left it 10 miles later... and I had 4 quarts of oil in the trunk. However... there is oil EVERYWHERE....

Any ideas on how to clean it...

derek

I would pay someone to do it. You've had enough headache already!

jvanbrecht

Side problem is that 2 days ago a CEL popped... which was shy I checked my oil andother fluids. Warranty does not cover stupidity... want to clean it before I go to the dealer in the morning.

derek

I would probably break out the simple green and elbow grease.

ZephyrAMG

Jvan your just gonna have spend a few hours cleaning it. Sorry it happened. Start now and put on some good John Denver or Neal Diamond and get it going...GL

ZephyrAMG

^^^ or Satan death suicide metal or whatever it is you listen to...

Mikegpr03

Simple green, a cheap plastic brush and a hose. Be sure to run the motor right after just to get rid of any humidity

Muskoka_AMG

I did this as well... Never felt dumber...

Anyways, I just took it to a public wash bay, and sprayed the engine with a pressure washer. All the oil drained away. Really didn't cause any problems. Engine had never been cleaner.

jim07

No permanent damage! You not the first one to do this. Simple green a brush and a slow running hose. Don't sweat it too much. Try to be careful around the wiring.

Merc63

The engine is sealed. Spray it with soapy water at the car wash. But don't blast sensitive items at close range and don't blast water into the air intakes.

bhamg

Probably too late but here's what I have done in a similar situation and recommend:
- Do NOT use a pressure washer, whether home or commercial. Water will get into places where it shouldn't.
- Use hot water from a garden hose w/o a nozzle and gently rinse the engine compartment from above - not from the side - until the run-off water trail shows significantly less of an oil slick.
- Use a spray bottle filled with a not very aggressive cleaner (I generally use a glass cleaner) and spray the affected areas thoroughly.
- Repeat the hot water rinse
- Pay particular attention to the spark plug wells to dry them out - you will have a rusty mess later if the water sits there for a period of time.

jvanbrecht

I managed to get it clean.

I did use some of the more toxic stuff out there.. sprayed it down, then sprayed that stuff off lightly with water. Then I used my foam gun, with a light coating of car shampoo, then cleaned that off with a light spray of water.

Engine looks brand spanking new now.

I also used a hair dryer on all of the electronic parts in the bay, then went for a spirited drive to dry out the engine bay completely.

ZephyrAMG

nice job...glad it worked out.