Ivanrad

I would like to do an engine wash / clean. I think it will help me find any oil leaks if there are any. How should i go about doing this. Should I cover all electronic components in plastic bags . Double bag? Any tips would be appreciated

SunnyRayToronto

NO!

Just wipe with wet towel. Brush dirt with brush. Blow with compressed air.

Oil leaks should be very visible in dirty engine bay.

Carsy

+1.

There are too many electronic components & connections to go at the engine with a high pressure hose or a steam cleaner like it was done in times past !!

I keep my engine bay clean by cleaning regularly begining with a light blow with compressed air , wiping dust with a damp rag or any oil/diesel build up with a petrol or kerosine dampened cloth. A small or very small paint brush wet with some kero or petrol is used for hard to clean in- accessible at areas. Careful not to get a spark from any electrical gear & cause a fire. Best to have an extinguisher handy.

I do rinse down dust around the radiator & mudguard area with a very low pressure & very well controlled water hose.

Doing it regularly is the key.

Glyn M Ruck

+1^

KHARBAT1

Today , I drove to the mall (20 miles from where i live ) at 5 pm , at 8pm , i returned home ,a 20 miles drive . I parked the car in the garage. 2 hours later , i went to the car to chk the oil since i changed it the day before .I opened the hood and felt the heat under the hood .How long does the engine stay hot after the drive ? does it matter how many miles you drive ? Is this usual for Mercedes cars ? . I believe domestic cars cool off very quick after the drive . any explanation will be greatly appreciated .

SunnyRayToronto

Any explanation as to how your post relates to Engine Bay Wash would be greatly appreciated,...

Knowing your location would help,... assuming you're in a warm climate (ie: not frozen in snow like Toronto, eh!),... having a larger engine that takes up more room in the engine bay and having the car in a garage with limited air circulation flow would limit the cooling of the engine.

When car is warmed up during driving, engine should be about 85C,... as displayed on instrument cluster display. In addition, car front radiator cooling fan may continue after car engine is stopped and key out of ignition.

BTW,.... why would domestic car cool off faster? Maybe that's because they have domestic heat,.... where as Mercedes have imported heat,... Probably has to do with different engine block material

Carsy

As Ray says the rate your car cools will depend on your ambient temp.

My car would be still very warm after 2 hours at 25'C ambient.There is a large block of metal weighing probably over 150 Kg at 90'C together with higher temps of the exhaust manifold & head metals.

The engine is also sound insulated which holds the heat in.

Other cars probably don't have as much insulation around the engine & cool quicker.

KHARBAT1

Sunny and Carcy , Thank you for the reply , makes sense .
As to how my post relates to Engine Bay Wash , it actually does not , i was reading it as i thought about posting mine , i also remember reading that they donot want us newbee ( W203) to open a new thread , that is why . i am sorry if that is a wrong location . how should i do it next time on a new situation ? thanks for your understanding .

SunnyRayToronto

Ideally use the Search function,... the Advance Search is great,... to find a solution.

If solution can't be found after an honest effort,... then try posting to an existing thread that's at least close in topic,... that way we get all the related post together in the same thread,... it helps the next guy doing a search.

If all else fails,... then by all means,... start a new thread,...

We're here to help,... not restrict. But I could just imagine,... sometime in the future, some confused soul doing a search on Engine Bay Wash and coming across this thread,... then wondering,... WTF does engine taking too long to cool off has to do with Engine Bay Wash,.... ;p

KHARBAT1

Agree .Thanks again .

kirax2

i actually did use garden hose and wash my engine bay a few times... no cover up, just didn't spray pass the electronics side, even so they are meant to be water proof you can 100% avoid water going inside the engine bay and that's what all the seal now days are for,