DougandhisC280

I cleaned my engine a couple weeks ago. It wasn't that bad but I like to keep it looking really good and clean. All I usually do is spray it with degreaser and then hose it down with hot water. This time I sprayed a little to much on the electronics. This put me on my 3rd Air Mass Meter and also caused me to fix some other electronic goodies. All in all, I had to spend $800 to clean my engine. BE CAREFUL!!!

DougandhisC280

Wow! This got moved in 30 seconds. I feel like I'm being spied on and violated.

GDawgC220

hahaha...it's ok Doug

moa4r

that sucks dude,,, but yeah, you definately got to be careful not to get water on certain parts of the motor...

E55AMG99

Use No Touch Tire Foam instead of degreaser and water. Seriously.

TOGWT

Quote: Careful cleaning your engine!!!



~One mans opinion / observation~

Engine detailing simply implies cleaning the engine compartment and applying protective products to wiring, vinyl and rubber hoses and shields. It’s not a difficult task, albeit the first time cleaning is a somewhat messy one. Then after the initial detailing it’s just a matter of maintenance.

It’s really an easy 45-60 minute task every 2-3 months, the benefits are to increase the resale value of the vehicle and also highlight any leaks that can be rectified prior to becoming a major service repair.

·Remove any excess debris; leaves and etc form the hood, grille or air-vent openings.
·Use cling-film, Saran wrap elastic covers, or aluminium foil to cover any sensors, electrical black boxes, electrical devises that could cause an electrical short-circuits if subjected to water spray.
·Start and run the engine to get it warm, not hot, this will enable the de-greaser to work more efficiently on a warm surface.
·Apply an engine de-greaser (Autoglym Engine Cleaner) by lightly spraying the lower parts of the engine first and then working upwards.
·Do not allow the de-greaser to dry or remain on painted surfaces, and be sure to dilute with water and dry with a cloth.
·For heavily soiled areas agitate with a parts brush and a diluted general purpose cleaner (P21S Total Auto Wash)
·When the grease and grime is dissolved and you’re ready to remove it, spray with a light pressure water hose.
·Allow the engine compartment to air dry and then thoroughly wipe down all accessible surfaces and then remove cling-film or aluminium foil.
·When everything is dry apply a vinyl/rubber water based protectant to hoses, shields and wires.
·Wipe off any excess with a clean cloth and apply a wax/sealant protection to painted surfaces.

Engine detailing leaves the engine compartment looking brand new. Mechanics realize that a clean engine belongs to someone who cares for their automobile, and will often take special care to undertake service repair work correctly.

If anybody has hints, tips, or corrections to the above procedure, please post them/ send me a pm. I’m always anxious to improve my technique.


~Hope this helps~


Experience unshared; is knowledge wasted…/

justadumbarchitect * so i question everything*

MBZ12

My thoughts are.....how does the stealership clean engines on trade-ins they receive. It's been my experience that every used MB I've seen always has a somewhat immaculate engine compartment. They are always clean and I'm sure they don't receive them that way. Also, do they change out the headliner and miscellaneous parts on newer trade ins? Or do they just detail them sharply??? I hope someone here knows....

DougandhisC280

I work at a Chrysler dealership and we pressure wash every new car's engine bay when it is bought. We send all our used cars to a detail shop. That way if they break it, they buy it.

ano0oj

What I did is got a hand-helded vaccum and just got most of the dirt off, and then took like a semi-damp clothe and just got all the little tight spots, then I went over it with either Pledge or Wd-40, i dont remember which one, I didn't have much time, So i just did the Engine Cover(black part)

MoeMonney

IVe seen many shps here use a high pressure steam cleaner that leaves the engines imaculate then they put some dressing on. They usualy do it at ever service at the better shops here in Mexico.

fast mayte

i work for a dealer and list cars on ebay. i just spray on heavy duty degreaser and hose it down. then armoralify the motor. come out clean for the next few days. then gets dusty. haven't had probs with electronics. done this on mosty toyota's and hondas. done it twice to my c-class, only prob in the c220 was the alternator is kinda making a grinding sound now. hummm

DougandhisC280

We do it to Chrysler, Dodge, and Jeeps all day long and have never had a problem. It's kind of frustrating that mine did.

MB AMG

I want to wash the engine but am to scared. What do I have to cover up?

DougandhisC280

Air Mass Meter: Goes from filter box to engine (front left corner)
Computers: Back left corner under black plastic panel
ABS Unit: Front left corner (It says "ABS" right on it)
Fuse Box: Back right corner under black plastic screw on panel
Oil dip stick: Just so you don't get water in there

Do not spray in the intake. This is by the front left headlight when you're facing the engine. Every thing else is pretty safe. I didn't cover anything up so that's why I got stuck with a high repair bill.

Edit: I just realized your name is AMG. My description was for a W202 C Class. Your items are in similar locations.

merclover

just disconnect the battery and then clean the engine bay, nothin should happen provided u let everything dry correctly, clean it as much as ya want, let it dry, then plug it back on again.
simple... safe

RJC

Try to avoid greasy/oily dressings as they attract dirt like a magnet and make it harded to clean. I find that using an all purpose cleaner on the parts that get dirty with a rag and a damp towel w or w/o cleaner for the engine cover etc to remove the dust keeps it looking like new. But if you use the greasy stuff it takes much more to keep it clean.

DougandhisC280

What are you kidding? Please delete this post so someone doesn't make an $800 mistake like I did. Disconnecting the battery will not save anything. My car was off when I was cleaning mine.

merclover

yeah ur car was off but the battery was connected therefore the electronics were still on. i meant disconnecting the battery so NO current flows whatsoever.
i can assure you i can throw my pc in the swimming pool and still be able to use it afterwards AS LONG AS it was not on OR had any power source plugged in (batteries, bios or pram backups etc), also u MUST let it dry!
it obvious! i mean how can it short circuit if there is no current flowing in the first place?!

EDIT: OK you might well have disconnected the battery but what if you re connected it when it was not yet dry?

DougandhisC280

Ok, yeah, that makes sense. I'll take the battery out of my cell phone, throw it in the pool, let it dry for a week and then see if it still works. I'll report back in one week.

merclover

actually u cant throw your cell phone, its got a screen.
throw your toaster, that might be a better experimental apparatus. and if you dont have a toaster because you prefer to toast your bread in real fire, then throw your blender.
ok, this is getting way too off topic.. maybe ur right, and im wrong. im just explainin the way i did it. didnt cover anything but also didnt use a pressure hose. just regular hot water and sponge.

theine

I use Armorall wet ones once a month and my engine looks like brand new.

E55AMG99

I wouldn't do it. Electronics don't get along well with moisture with or without electric current. There are many items that will corrode in a short time. In other words, it might take a few days or weeks to die. Disconnecting the battery is not the key to the electronic's survival.

BTW, many electronic items have capacitors that store an electrical charge after power is removed.

If your engine compartment is not too greasy (I expect most are fairly grease free) just spray on No Touch Tire Foam. It requires no water rinsing or wiping and will protect all rubber items under the hood. Since any item under the hood is already water "resistant", the foam will not harm anything. I've used this technique on every car in my fleet for several years without problem.

DougandhisC280

Don't worry, I wasn't going to.

E55AMG99

Another crisis averted!

user244075

If anyone wants to check out the No Touch Tire Care on an engine compartment go to:

http://pages.prodigy.net/jforgione/MB_detail.html

He has some pics.