Jun 5, 2015, 12:37 PM
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What to cover when washing engine bay? - C250
Thread Starter
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Joined: Jan 2011
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From: SoCal
2015 C250 Coupe
What to cover when washing engine bay? - C250
Hi everyone, I'm posting this in hopes that someone can tell me if there is anything in particular that should be covered when I wash my engine bay. I plan on just using a normal hose so no pressure washer or anything too fancy. More of just a routine clean every other car wash or so. My car is a 2013 C250 sedan so any advice would be greatly appreciated.
*Sorry if this is in the wrong section, I'm aware of the detailing section but that seems more of a tutorials place.
Edit**: Sorry for bringing this up as I know its been discussed before on the safety of cleaning it. But it seems 50/50 on how safe it is to clean the engine bay.
*Sorry if this is in the wrong section, I'm aware of the detailing section but that seems more of a tutorials place.
Edit**: Sorry for bringing this up as I know its been discussed before on the safety of cleaning it. But it seems 50/50 on how safe it is to clean the engine bay.
Last edited by Matt-erhorn; Mar 3, 2013 at 09:41 PM.
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Joined: Jul 2007
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From: Germantown, MD/Rehoboth Beach, DE
2024 GLS450
The engine bay on these cars doesn't appear to be really well sealed - at least judging by how damn dirty it gets. I've washed every engine bay I have ever had without issue - a little care goes a long way. I also detailed for 5 years though college for a Saturn dealer, and I picked up a few tricks along the way.
First off, the top cover (where the Star is) removes. Pull it straight up and it will come off - so for in between detailing sessions it is easy to keep that cleaned and looking great.
That said, the only place I would be really weary of getting wet would be the coils that are underneath that cover/any major electrical connectors. I'd also shy away from the left hand side of the engine/turbo/exhaust manifold - just so you aren't temperature shocking it. I'd also not spray the alternator directly.
I use a solution of about 2.5 tablespoons of car wash soap and 1 tablespoon of plain (white, old fashioned) Armor All in a full professional grade spray bottle filled with water as an engine wash. It cuts the dust and grease, leaves a nice shine but is not sticky and doesn't dry out the rubber parts under the hood. Hose it down, spray it on liberally and let it sit, hose it off and take it out on the highway for 20 minutes or so. It works well for getting salt lines out of the insulator pads under the hood as well.
First off, the top cover (where the Star is) removes. Pull it straight up and it will come off - so for in between detailing sessions it is easy to keep that cleaned and looking great.
That said, the only place I would be really weary of getting wet would be the coils that are underneath that cover/any major electrical connectors. I'd also shy away from the left hand side of the engine/turbo/exhaust manifold - just so you aren't temperature shocking it. I'd also not spray the alternator directly.
I use a solution of about 2.5 tablespoons of car wash soap and 1 tablespoon of plain (white, old fashioned) Armor All in a full professional grade spray bottle filled with water as an engine wash. It cuts the dust and grease, leaves a nice shine but is not sticky and doesn't dry out the rubber parts under the hood. Hose it down, spray it on liberally and let it sit, hose it off and take it out on the highway for 20 minutes or so. It works well for getting salt lines out of the insulator pads under the hood as well.
Last edited by MDMercedesGuy; Mar 3, 2013 at 10:15 PM.
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 235
Likes: 2
From: SoCal
2015 C250 Coupe
The engine bay on these cars doesn't appear to be really well sealed - at least judging by how damn dirty it gets. I've washed every engine bay I have ever had without issue - a little care goes a long way. I also detailed for 5 years though college for a Saturn dealer, and I picked up a few tricks along the way.
First off, the top cover (where the Star is) removes. Pull it straight up and it will come off - so for in between detailing sessions it is easy to keep that cleaned and looking great.
That said, the only place I would be really weary of getting wet would be the coils that are underneath that cover/any major electrical connectors. I'd also shy away from the left hand side of the engine/turbo/exhaust manifold - just so you aren't temperature shocking it. I'd also not spray the alternator directly.
I use a solution of about 2.5 tablespoons of car wash soap and 1 tablespoon of plain (white, old fashioned) Armor All in a full professional grade spray bottle filled with water as an engine wash. It cuts the dust and grease, leaves a nice shine but is not sticky and doesn't dry out the rubber parts under the hood. Hose it down, spray it on liberally and let it sit, hose it off and take it out on the highway for 20 minutes or so. It works well for getting salt lines out of the insulator pads under the hood as well.
First off, the top cover (where the Star is) removes. Pull it straight up and it will come off - so for in between detailing sessions it is easy to keep that cleaned and looking great.
That said, the only place I would be really weary of getting wet would be the coils that are underneath that cover/any major electrical connectors. I'd also shy away from the left hand side of the engine/turbo/exhaust manifold - just so you aren't temperature shocking it. I'd also not spray the alternator directly.
I use a solution of about 2.5 tablespoons of car wash soap and 1 tablespoon of plain (white, old fashioned) Armor All in a full professional grade spray bottle filled with water as an engine wash. It cuts the dust and grease, leaves a nice shine but is not sticky and doesn't dry out the rubber parts under the hood. Hose it down, spray it on liberally and let it sit, hose it off and take it out on the highway for 20 minutes or so. It works well for getting salt lines out of the insulator pads under the hood as well.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 1,351
Likes: 90
From: Germantown, MD/Rehoboth Beach, DE
2024 GLS450
The alternator is on the lower left hand side of the engine. I usually just make sure not to aim down towards the front of the engine and have not worried about it much on this car yet.
Don't be discouraged about giving it a wash - it's all pretty hardy under there. Remember, when you are going 75 MPH down the road in a rainstorm, it is taking on a lot of water. Where people get into trouble when washing engines is when they use a pressure washer or jet stream and start blasting away at things.
Don't be discouraged about giving it a wash - it's all pretty hardy under there. Remember, when you are going 75 MPH down the road in a rainstorm, it is taking on a lot of water. Where people get into trouble when washing engines is when they use a pressure washer or jet stream and start blasting away at things.
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 235
Likes: 2
From: SoCal
2015 C250 Coupe
The alternator is on the lower left hand side of the engine. I usually just make sure not to aim down towards the front of the engine and have not worried about it much on this car yet.
Don't be discouraged about giving it a wash - it's all pretty hardy under there. Remember, when you are going 75 MPH down the road in a rainstorm, it is taking on a lot of water. Where people get into trouble when washing engines is when they use a pressure washer or jet stream and start blasting away at things.
Don't be discouraged about giving it a wash - it's all pretty hardy under there. Remember, when you are going 75 MPH down the road in a rainstorm, it is taking on a lot of water. Where people get into trouble when washing engines is when they use a pressure washer or jet stream and start blasting away at things.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 1,351
Likes: 90
From: Germantown, MD/Rehoboth Beach, DE
2024 GLS450
Soft shower would be your best bet.
I splurged on one of these sets a while back and it is amazing - but it is rather pricey http://www.griotsgarage.com/product/...t-off+valve.do
That said - your standard garden hose gun type nozzle on shower would do the trick.
I splurged on one of these sets a while back and it is amazing - but it is rather pricey http://www.griotsgarage.com/product/...t-off+valve.do
That said - your standard garden hose gun type nozzle on shower would do the trick.
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Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 235
Likes: 2
From: SoCal
2015 C250 Coupe
Edit**: Of course that cover was 99% plastic so there was really no fear in hitting anything important or anything peeling. But thanks for the advice.
Last edited by Matt-erhorn; Mar 5, 2013 at 12:48 AM.
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MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 1,351
Likes: 90
From: Germantown, MD/Rehoboth Beach, DE
2024 GLS450
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From: 1 hours drive north of Sydney Australia
2007 W204 220CDI Classic Sedan
No way I will ever put a water hose in my engine bay. It is full of complex electronics & hundreds of connectors.
I first use a light blow with compressed air then wipe clean with a dampened rag .
If oil is present I dampen the rag with a hydrocarbon liquid.
I also do not follow closely behing vehicles on dusty roads as it settles in your engine bay & clogs your air filter.
I first use a light blow with compressed air then wipe clean with a dampened rag .
If oil is present I dampen the rag with a hydrocarbon liquid.
I also do not follow closely behing vehicles on dusty roads as it settles in your engine bay & clogs your air filter.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 1,351
Likes: 90
From: Germantown, MD/Rehoboth Beach, DE
2024 GLS450
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 235
Likes: 2
From: SoCal
2015 C250 Coupe
Well it seems I have done the inevitable and brought up a can of worms again. But to the people saying dont, I don't plan on this being weekly anymore but maybe in a few months after 4,000 miles or so. I still wipe the covers with a wet microfiber twice a week.
