Water on the engine
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 242
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From: Miami, FL
C300 Luxury
Water on the engine
Hey guys I was just wondering, with detail our engines, is it at all bad to put a light stream of water on them? I know the ECU is open, I could cover that for the purpose. I really want to clean my engine bay, but I know on Land Rovers for example you can trip sensors and stuff.
Thanks in advance
Thanks in advance
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Joined: Apr 2008
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From: Chino Hills, CA
Mercedes C300 Sport, BMW 745Li, VW Mk6 Golf TDI
Just foil wrap what you're not comfortable exposing and spray away. I know plenty who have done so on their 272 with no issues. Personally though, I prefer to spot steam and ONR wipedown.
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 242
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From: Miami, FL
C300 Luxury
Usually I just spot clean with degreaser.. What dilution of ONR do you think is best?
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Joined: Mar 2008
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From: 1 hours drive north of Sydney Australia
2007 W204 220CDI Classic Sedan
I do not put water or degreaser anywhere near my engine.As there no engine oil leaks then why should I use a degreaser.
The engine bay is packed with electronic equipment & electrical connections so hosing it out however gently is in my humble opinion , fraught with danger.
I use compressed air to blow out the dust then wipe with a moist rag. Do it regularly & you will be able to eat your dinner off it.
Every household should have a Chinese compressor since they are selling for less than $100.
They have a multitude of uses including cleaning your electronic gear, TV, computer & fridge condensor.Good luck.
The engine bay is packed with electronic equipment & electrical connections so hosing it out however gently is in my humble opinion , fraught with danger.
I use compressed air to blow out the dust then wipe with a moist rag. Do it regularly & you will be able to eat your dinner off it.
Every household should have a Chinese compressor since they are selling for less than $100.
They have a multitude of uses including cleaning your electronic gear, TV, computer & fridge condensor.Good luck.
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From: Southeast
2008 C300 Sport, RWD, US
Let us know how you went about spot cleaning and how well it worked.
These cars are fussy enough to not want to take any chances with flooding the engine compartment with any kind of liquids.
These cars are fussy enough to not want to take any chances with flooding the engine compartment with any kind of liquids.
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Joined: Apr 2008
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From: Chino Hills, CA
Mercedes C300 Sport, BMW 745Li, VW Mk6 Golf TDI
I understand the hesitancy people have with engine washing, but as long as you're smart about it, it's perfectly safe. Seen plenty of MB dealerships hose down customer's engine bays as well with even less care. Foil wrap your alternator, ECU, battery connectors, etc, spray your APC, let dwell or agitate, and wash it down with gentle spray of water from top down. Don't focus heavy stream of water straight down into inner engine to prevent splashback. Use a blower to get most of the water out, then start the engine and let it run idle for a few minutes which evaporates the remaining water. I'd only use distilled/filtered water btw to prevent water spots when the water evaps. I'm not suggesting everyone to just go out there, later the engine in Dawn and hose down, but give MB engineers some credit, these engines battened down and sealed to be able to take moderate water.
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From: SEATTLE WASHINGTON USA
'08 C300 Lux Barolo Red Beige Leather P2 MM 18" wheels '84 944
Not the Space Shuttle.....
Hey guys I was just wondering, with detail our engines, is it at all bad to put a light stream of water on them? I know the ECU is open, I could cover that for the purpose. I really want to clean my engine bay, but I know on Land Rovers for example you can trip sensors and stuff.
Thanks in advance
Thanks in advance
Junior Member
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 56
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From: DC Metro Area
08 C350 Sport
I washed my engine bay with water and some car wash. Just applied as little water as I can and then wipe out. Also, I covered alternator with plastic bag. All went well, so quite safe to wash, just do not use too much water, just a little to wash off soap. Do not spray with some greasy stuff like dealers do, it attracts dirt and also looks like come from cheap used dealer. Engine wash it is not something you need to do often, but once in a year completely acceptable. Once engine is clean it is easy to maintain that look by just wiping out excessive dirt every two weeks or so.
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From: SEATTLE WASHINGTON USA
'08 C300 Lux Barolo Red Beige Leather P2 MM 18" wheels '84 944
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Apr 2008
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From: Chino Hills, CA
Mercedes C300 Sport, BMW 745Li, VW Mk6 Golf TDI
