Engine Compartment
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 3,744
Likes: 1
Be careful about spraying water in the engine compartment. Meguiars makes some degreasing wipes. They say not to use them on painted surfaces. But I think if you used them then wiped off that surface with a damp cloth, it would be alright. Just don't do it often. I have been using an old, damp microfiber towel to wipe down the engine compartment every time I wash the car. It is a daily driver, and after 17 months it still looks good.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 2,719
Likes: 1
From: Scottsdale, Arizonai
'85 190E 2.3-16 '99 C280 '11 GLK350
Since I have an older Benz, I have stayed away from steam cleaning and pressure washers like the plague. I've used the Gunk Engine Degreaser and the Simple Green Engine Cleaner sprays and they work well along with some brushing and water hose rinsing. One word of warning, don't do the degreasing over a nice driveway, you know where the grease, gunk and dirt ends up right?
Super Member
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 877
Likes: 0
asdf
Vraa, go get some simple green degreaser, and some tire foam/rubber protectant, whatever you desire. Cover all the electrical components of the engine bay w/ some plastic bags/foil and then wet down your engine with ur garden hose. Make sure you only mist it down. After that, use your degreaser generously around the engine bay. Let it sit for 15-20 minutes to eat away at the dirt/grime/grease and then hose it off with a mist again. Then use a towel to wipe off the excess water and let it dry. I used some wd40, and sprayed it all around excluding any moving parts. (all plastic/rubber parts), then wipe down the excess spray and turn on your engine for 15-20 minutes to let the shine bake in. Check out my thread "before/after engine bay" to see my results after only one hour of work.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 1,252
Likes: 2
From: San Antonio, Texas
2016 BMW Z4 sDrive35i M Sport
I rinsed mine out with water and engine degreaser the other day and it did no damage. Be sure when you do it to use the water only to get the degreaser off. Cover you electrical components. Don't sit there and spray water on it for long periods of time. Just a brief wet down with a regular garden hose with no nozzle on it will work and then go over it with a towel or something to get the remaining grease off. This meathod is good if you just want it "clean" not "detailed".
