Who clean their engine did mine wd 40 did not use water but did not come out clean
Last edited by ATSOBE; Apr 10, 2010 at 12:27 PM.
I have been taking my cars to the coin-op car wash for decades and have never had any problems with the modern ones. First, the hot soapy water flushes off the dirt and it flushes off with the rinse. I drive it home and then blow all the remaining moisture with compressed air. When I'm done, the engine compartment is concours clean.
My Porsche 944 is a Concours car and I usually wash the engine before the first event of the year and the judges never find any sort of schmutz under the hood. Because the car has a distributor driven off the nose of the camshaft (not present in the MB), I don't directly hit it with the water because it's possible to get condensation inside. I also cover the cabin air intake with duct tape. When I get home I unplug the few electrical plugs and blow them dry. Since soapy water gets into the alternator (both cars), I flood them with rinsewater before heading home. This does NOT hurt them.
I haven't cleaned the C300's engine since last August's MB club car show so it's about time to do it. Maybe next week.
BTW, whenever the car goes to the dealer for anything, it's show clean, inside and out. Makes a big impression on the shop personnel and they take care of it. Never ever any courtesy washes, of course.
Last edited by RLE; Apr 10, 2010 at 06:17 PM.
You are asking for trouble hosing a modern engine.
WD 40 will make dust accumulate. Best to use a more volitile substance to remove oil ect.
For the past several years I have used Simple Green and rinse the motor off with low pressure. The inside of the hood may need a rag taken to it but that's about all the hand washing.
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For the past several years I have used Simple Green and rinse the motor off with low pressure. The inside of the hood may need a rag taken to it but that's about all the hand washing.
I would never use a pressure washer or steam cleaner under the hood because high pressure moisture can get into some places it shouldn't and it's never that dirty anyway. The moderate flow of the car wash wand doesn't cause a problem.
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I would never use a pressure washer or steam cleaner under the hood because high pressure moisture can get into some places it shouldn't and it's never that dirty anyway. The moderate flow of the car wash wand doesn't cause a problem.
I would never use a pressure washer or steam cleaner under the hood [QUOTE]
Been using steam and elbow grease for years. Never had an issue. Just be careful and use your head. I have used Simple Green with much success, but only on really dirty engine bays.
When I run my car through a car wash, I usually pop the hood and wipe everything down with a microfiber cloth. Doing this every couple of weeks keeps it looking new. I haven't had to use any degreaser yet on my '08.
What I do have a problem with though is some hard water stains under the hood. The cleaners I've tried haven't not removed them. They usually fade and go away after a few cleaning and some elbow grease but I'd like to find something that works immediately.
When I run my car through a car wash, I usually pop the hood and wipe everything down with a microfiber cloth. Doing this every couple of weeks keeps it looking new. I haven't had to use any degreaser yet on my '08.
What I do have a problem with though is some hard water stains under the hood. The cleaners I've tried haven't not removed them. They usually fade and go away after a few cleaning and some elbow grease but I'd like to find something that works immediately.
Believe it or not, Meguiar's cleaner wax works really well.



