I washed my E350BT Engine today....
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 357
Likes: 2
From: Toronto, Canada
2013 E350 BlueTec, 2011 VW Jetta TDI
I washed my E350BT Engine today....
After almost 40K Miles (60,000 KM) my engine bay was getting rather unsightly with grease and dirt so today being a nice sunny day I decided to treat my engine to a shampoo after I gave my E a car wash outside my garage.
I sprayed some degreaser solution on the engine and underside of the hood and washed it off with my garden hose and the engine now looks like new!
The Green-X Degreaser is sold in Walmart for under $5.00 while the BMW Engine Cleaner/Degreaser costs $12.00! I'd stay with the Green-X which works just fine.
I sprayed some degreaser solution on the engine and underside of the hood and washed it off with my garden hose and the engine now looks like new!
The Green-X Degreaser is sold in Walmart for under $5.00 while the BMW Engine Cleaner/Degreaser costs $12.00! I'd stay with the Green-X which works just fine.
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 357
Likes: 2
From: Toronto, Canada
2013 E350 BlueTec, 2011 VW Jetta TDI
I lifted the plastic engine cover and saw that underneath the engine components were quite clean without any grease so I didn't bother to spray the area with the degreaser.
The worst areas were just below the hood and on top of the engine cover and around the sides.
The worst areas were just below the hood and on top of the engine cover and around the sides.
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Joined: Mar 2014
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From: West Central Florida
2011 E550 P2 4M Sedan
I hadn't zoomed in before. That looks brand new. Even the brake fluid container has no dirt or dust on it. So just spray, rinse and dry. No wipe down or anything?
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 357
Likes: 2
From: Toronto, Canada
2013 E350 BlueTec, 2011 VW Jetta TDI
I did wipe off the water with a micro fiber cloth.
But the cloth did not get dirty as all grease stains were already removed by the degreaser and water spray.
Wiping with the cloth was to speed up the drying of the engine bay.
I've often washed the engine bays of my last two cars (BMW 335d / ML350BT). That was the BMW degreaser I used when I had the 335d.
I have used high pressure water to clean off the degreaser on my last two vehicles without any ill effects.
The reason I didn't use it this time is my high pressure power wash pump broke down over the last winter as I forgot to store it indoor and the cold winder caused it to leak and malfunction.
If you're using a power washer make sure you hold the hose approximately 30" away so as not to cause any damage or forced water into areas its not supposed to reach!!!
But the cloth did not get dirty as all grease stains were already removed by the degreaser and water spray.
Wiping with the cloth was to speed up the drying of the engine bay.
I've often washed the engine bays of my last two cars (BMW 335d / ML350BT). That was the BMW degreaser I used when I had the 335d.
I have used high pressure water to clean off the degreaser on my last two vehicles without any ill effects.
The reason I didn't use it this time is my high pressure power wash pump broke down over the last winter as I forgot to store it indoor and the cold winder caused it to leak and malfunction.
If you're using a power washer make sure you hold the hose approximately 30" away so as not to cause any damage or forced water into areas its not supposed to reach!!!
Last edited by DC-IT; Jun 15, 2014 at 09:42 PM. Reason: Typo by tablet's auto-correct!
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 357
Likes: 2
From: Toronto, Canada
2013 E350 BlueTec, 2011 VW Jetta TDI
Thanks Guys.
BTW, after I cleaned the engine bay I noticed the plastic catch that fasten the air intake from the front grill to the engine cover was broken!
So this morning I drop by my M-B dealer and the SA called the shop foreman to check the problem.
He explained that this is quite common and is a design flaw as during cold season the plastic hardens and when you remove the air intake duck sometimes the catch breaks off.
He ordered a replacement for me.
If I had not clean my engine bay I wouldn't notice this was broken!
Since I only service my E at this dealership they gladly replace it for me FOC.
Note: Under the Engine Cover the engine was only slightly dusty so I only brushed off the dust and here's what it looks like.
I asked him, since I'm a high mileage driver (40K Miles in one year), how long can I expect to keep my E.
He said do not neglect the regular maintenance like oil and filter change and the diesel will out last the gas engine.
He has a neighbour with a 2007 E320CDI with over 500,000 KM and it's still running without any issues.
BTW, after I cleaned the engine bay I noticed the plastic catch that fasten the air intake from the front grill to the engine cover was broken!
So this morning I drop by my M-B dealer and the SA called the shop foreman to check the problem.
He explained that this is quite common and is a design flaw as during cold season the plastic hardens and when you remove the air intake duck sometimes the catch breaks off.
He ordered a replacement for me.
If I had not clean my engine bay I wouldn't notice this was broken!
Since I only service my E at this dealership they gladly replace it for me FOC.
Note: Under the Engine Cover the engine was only slightly dusty so I only brushed off the dust and here's what it looks like.
I asked him, since I'm a high mileage driver (40K Miles in one year), how long can I expect to keep my E.
He said do not neglect the regular maintenance like oil and filter change and the diesel will out last the gas engine.
He has a neighbour with a 2007 E320CDI with over 500,000 KM and it's still running without any issues.
Last edited by DC-IT; Jun 17, 2014 at 02:55 PM. Reason: Add pictures
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Junior Member
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 72
Likes: 0
From: Columbus, OH
2011 E350 Bluetec
Thanks Guys.
BTW, after I cleaned the engine bay I noticed the plastic catch that fasten the air intake from the front grill to the engine cover was broken!
So this morning I drop by my M-B dealer and the SA called the shop foreman to check the problem.
He explained that this is quite common and is a design flaw as during cold season the plastic hardens and when you remove the air intake duck sometimes the catch breaks off.
He ordered a replacement for me.
If I had not clean my engine bay I wouldn't notice this was broken!
Since I only service my E at this dealership they gladly replace it for me FOC.
I asked him, since I'm a high mileage driver (40K Miles in one year), how long can I expect to keep my E.
He said do not neglect the regular maintenance like oil and filter change and the diesel will out last the gas engine.
He has a neighbour with a 2007 E320CDI with over 500,000 KM and it's still running without any issues.
BTW, after I cleaned the engine bay I noticed the plastic catch that fasten the air intake from the front grill to the engine cover was broken!
So this morning I drop by my M-B dealer and the SA called the shop foreman to check the problem.
He explained that this is quite common and is a design flaw as during cold season the plastic hardens and when you remove the air intake duck sometimes the catch breaks off.
He ordered a replacement for me.
If I had not clean my engine bay I wouldn't notice this was broken!
Since I only service my E at this dealership they gladly replace it for me FOC.
I asked him, since I'm a high mileage driver (40K Miles in one year), how long can I expect to keep my E.
He said do not neglect the regular maintenance like oil and filter change and the diesel will out last the gas engine.
He has a neighbour with a 2007 E320CDI with over 500,000 KM and it's still running without any issues.
I too have the Bluetec. I am very excited as I have also heard that it will drive forever if taken care of. Not to mention, the gas mileage!
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