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Engine wash?
Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 794
Likes: 9
From: Toronto, Hong Kong
E63S || C63 || E550 Coupe || Cayenne ||
Engine wash?
I'm bringing my car over to my friend to have it detailed next week.. since it's gonna be raining for the rest of the week here in Toronto
. He works at Toyota so I get the "gold" package + hes gonna claybar my car too... but he said something about having my engine washed as well... just wondering is it safe to do so? I know you can wash the engine but I thought that some sensors have to be covered or something so water doesn't get into them or something. Its a good deal.. paying $20 to get a $200+ car detailing but still not sure about the engine wash part... also.. anybody know how well the toyota detailing is?
. He works at Toyota so I get the "gold" package + hes gonna claybar my car too... but he said something about having my engine washed as well... just wondering is it safe to do so? I know you can wash the engine but I thought that some sensors have to be covered or something so water doesn't get into them or something. Its a good deal.. paying $20 to get a $200+ car detailing but still not sure about the engine wash part... also.. anybody know how well the toyota detailing is?
Do not wash the engine. A forum member posted a while back stating all the problems after washing the engine. Have them wipe whats accessible and leave the rest alone.
Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 794
Likes: 9
From: Toronto, Hong Kong
E63S || C63 || E550 Coupe || Cayenne ||
damn.. does make me scared now.. have to remind him not to wash my engine... he said my engine will smell like orange peels after he used the engine wash on it or something haha
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2007
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From: SFV CA
2008 Black Out C350 Saks Edition / 87 VW GTI
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that thread didn't help at all!! ahahahahah
some say wash and are so sure you can...and some say don't and are so sure you can't...
i guess ill just be careful when i wash it.
some say wash and are so sure you can...and some say don't and are so sure you can't...
i guess ill just be careful when i wash it.
Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 794
Likes: 9
From: Toronto, Hong Kong
E63S || C63 || E550 Coupe || Cayenne ||
yea... some peopel keep saying yes but some say no... If I was doing it myself I would just leave it.. but bringing it out to detail. If i were to bring it to MB for detail thn I wouldn't worry at all.. but Toyota i'm a bit skeptical. Like my friend said,,, the nicest car they ever got in there was a IS300... so it's a risk to bring my car into the toyota.. but the deal is too good to pass up! haha so I think i'm gonna tell him to keep outta my engine. I have a friend that works at bmw and I was gonna ask if I can bring my car to bmw instead.. but turns out they have 2 differnt groups of people. Washing and Waxing.. so if i took it to bmw i'd have to pay for the full $300 package.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 4,433
Likes: 5
From: SFV CA
2008 Black Out C350 Saks Edition / 87 VW GTI
Yes could wash the engine all the electronics are mostly water proof do it with the engine warm with a low pressure water flow be selective as to where you spray things. To clean the radiator is recommended to blow it out with compressed air from the inside out.
Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 794
Likes: 9
From: Toronto, Hong Kong
E63S || C63 || E550 Coupe || Cayenne ||
Super Member




Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 604
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From: SA
2008 C350-Sport-AMG-Active Agility Pack(Not reliable) +Izuzu KB6 3L(It seems Reliable)+Mazda
I am with those who say no. The problem comes after time resulting in complicated faults related to couplings, so a Merc mechanic told me.Must say my engine bay still clean.
I have washed the engine on every car I own every six months for over 20 years and have never had a problem. I warm up the engine, use a foaming engine degreaser and then spray down with a hose. I would not use a high pressure sprayer though, looking for trouble with that.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 2,601
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From: Atlanta, GA
2008 C300 Sport 6 Speed Manual, 1953 Chevy Bel-Air, 2015 Audi allroad, 1963 Chevy Apache
I agree, just because your engine starts up and runs fine does not mean you are free and clear. Many of those connectors are not designed to be waterproof and you are only asking for trouble. I gave up engine washing after a couple "careful and gentle" washes ended up costing me lots of time and effort long after the fact.
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Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 3,986
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From: SEATTLE WASHINGTON USA
'08 C300 Lux Barolo Red Beige Leather P2 MM 18" wheels '84 944
WET OR NOT
I have washed the engine on every car I own every six months for over 20 years and have never had a problem. I warm up the engine, use a foaming engine degreaser and then spray down with a hose. I would not use a high pressure sprayer though, looking for trouble with that.
And sure enough, it again won first in it's class in the latest PCA Concours. The judges never find any schmutz under the hood.
I'll be taking the C300 to the same place to clean it's engine compartment since the MB Club's clean car show is coming up soon.
Last edited by RLE; Jun 20, 2009 at 12:43 AM.
Well, I see the usual suspects are posting their usual opinions so I may as well jump in and do the same. Since I am in favor of knowledgeable engine cleaning, here is one example. Just this month I took my 25.5 year old Porsche to the coin op car wash and cleaned the engine compartment just as I have done since it was new. Since it is so elderly, there are a few visible plugs which I disconnect and blow out with compressed air as a precaution.
And sure enough, it again won first in it's class in the latest PCA Concours. The judges never find any schmutz under the hood.
I'll be taking the C300 to the same place to clean it's engine compartment since the MB Club's clean car show is coming up soon.
And sure enough, it again won first in it's class in the latest PCA Concours. The judges never find any schmutz under the hood.
I'll be taking the C300 to the same place to clean it's engine compartment since the MB Club's clean car show is coming up soon.








