C-Class (W203) 2001-2007, C160, C180, C200, C220, C230, C240, C270, C280, C300, C320, C230K, C350, Coupe

Engine Oil / Clean up

Old Jan 15, 2012 | 10:50 PM
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Engine Oil / Clean up

Just wondering.

What do you guys use to clean up the engine bay. Especially with the oil in the engine areas.

I have been eyeing my engine recently and notice there are oil that is filled with dirt now. Just wondering what is the cleaning method for this. I had also traced where the leak is coming from. It seems to be coming from the oil cap. Has anyone ever had a oil cap going bad? I am thinking of changing mine since it is leaking somehow.

The oil is getting everywhere and had residue on the alternator, left front corner of the engine, one of the pulleys and might as well got into one or two of those Magnet solenoid, argghhh.

The oil cap is not expensive. It seems like there is the seal part inside the oil cap they also sell. Perhaps this is what has failed? Werid. MSRP is $7.00, not bad to replace it.

Simple Green?? Or is it too strong?

Last edited by 04mbc230; Jan 15, 2012 at 10:54 PM.
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Old Jan 15, 2012 | 11:43 PM
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w203
simple green works fine
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Old Jan 16, 2012 | 12:09 AM
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mi benz's Avatar
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Simple Green can oxidize some alloys. I prefer this stuff:
Black Magic 2 in 1 engine shine. Safe for all metals and plastics


Detailing Center
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Old Jan 16, 2012 | 09:26 AM
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I wouldn't spray any chemicals under the hood of these cars period. Wipe it down with a rag.
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Old Jan 16, 2012 | 11:08 AM
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Benz to sell a safe spay for wipe down purposes. Please don't spray anything that contains silicone under the hood. If the engine ingests silicone it will poisen the O2 sensors.
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Old Jan 16, 2012 | 11:51 AM
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Thanks for the suggestion.

In that case. Is the Black Magic stuff a go?

Matt, wipe down with a rag does not go too far in removing the nasty oil and dirt. Any other suggestion?

Also, about the oil cap, is there a maintenance on this? Mine seem to failed in result of this oil and dirt build up?
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Old Jan 16, 2012 | 03:46 PM
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Anything with "shine" in it probably contains silicone. As Glyn said, this will poison the O2 sensors if ingested. Not worth the risk.

Either buy the Benz approved product or use water maybe mixed with some grease-fighting dish soap and sponge/wipe down the dirty parts. There are a lot of electronics under there so you want to be careful.

I don't see how the oil cap would allow oil to fly out.. It is a very tight seal on my car. Are you positive? You could try replacing it and see if that solves it.
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Old Jan 16, 2012 | 09:26 PM
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Originally Posted by LILBENZ230
Anything with "shine" in it probably contains silicone. As Glyn said, this will poison the O2 sensors if ingested. Not worth the risk....
I've used it on many different cars with no problems.

It contains no silicone:
ChemicalCAS No / Unique IDPercentCarbon dioxide000124-38-95-10Sodium hydroxide001310-73-21-5Dipropylene glycol methyl ether034590-94-85-10Distillates, petroleum, hydrotreated light
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Old Jan 17, 2012 | 07:25 AM
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That's just fine then!!! Thanks for sharing.
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Old Jan 17, 2012 | 09:00 PM
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+1 on the engine cleaner from Black Magic. I clean the engine once a week with my car washes for the past 6 years
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Old Jan 18, 2012 | 01:31 AM
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Originally Posted by carbonfiberwhor
+1 on the engine cleaner from Black Magic. I clean the engine once a week with my car washes for the past 6 years
Wow.. That is a lot of washes

Do you go off road with your car to accumulate that much dirt on it??

Thanks for confirming on the black magic stuff. Going to try it out.
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