Beast still looks new from teh radiator to the firewall.
How do you guys clean your engines.
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 7,092
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From: Salt Lake City (but not Morm)
2003 E55 & 2014 GL550
How do you guys clean your engines.
Mines an 03 and I just noticed, of course when the guys at the dyno shop popped the hood and had wood to take pics.....then kinda smiled and walked away, that I had a dirty AMG motor....they snapped one pic to be kind.
Anyway, you can't just take this to the local car wash and hit the motor with the pressue washer.....can you?
Worry bout wet parts, electronics, Kleemann belt etc.
Any info would be appreciated.
J
Anyway, you can't just take this to the local car wash and hit the motor with the pressue washer.....can you?
Worry bout wet parts, electronics, Kleemann belt etc.
Any info would be appreciated.
J
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 334
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From: So. Cal.
2004 E55 Evosport I & II; VRP H/E
I'd like some information on this as well. I don't remember anything in the owner's manual, but it has been a while since I've read it.
Mine's an 04 with 20k miles. I recently had it in for service and the tech said it was "one of the cleanest" that he's seen. Here's what I've done:
I've had the "undercarriage wash" done at the carwash about a year ago because I was at a horse show and the road was pretty muddy. I've seen the underbelly of the beast since then and it is pretty clean.
About once every two or three months, I take a shop rag and "polish" everything in the engine compartment that I can reach. I don't use any product on the rag, just hot water (and I ring out the rag before I "polish" -- just enough to have the rag damp). I usually go through two or three rags before I'm done (trying to keep the rag as clean as possible).
Other than that, I'm like you. I can't see spraying it with anything (water included).
Mine's an 04 with 20k miles. I recently had it in for service and the tech said it was "one of the cleanest" that he's seen. Here's what I've done:
I've had the "undercarriage wash" done at the carwash about a year ago because I was at a horse show and the road was pretty muddy. I've seen the underbelly of the beast since then and it is pretty clean.
About once every two or three months, I take a shop rag and "polish" everything in the engine compartment that I can reach. I don't use any product on the rag, just hot water (and I ring out the rag before I "polish" -- just enough to have the rag damp). I usually go through two or three rags before I'm done (trying to keep the rag as clean as possible).
Other than that, I'm like you. I can't see spraying it with anything (water included).
MBWorld Fanatic!
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From: WOT somewhere in the Bay Area
1951 Caterpiller D6
One Touch Tire Care and if it is really bad, steam clean. One warning about steam cleaning, if the operator is not careful, he can remove paint and cause other damage under the hood.
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Joined: Aug 2005
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From: Pacific Northwest
04 E500 Brabus Wagon
engine clean?
A while ago we had my wifes MB engine "steam cleaned" at the dealer and when we got it back it was running rough so it went in for service. The cleaning caused moisture in the ignition and they had to replace a module of some kind.
Steam cleaning is just hot water under pressure and not all that good an idea for cleaning an engine in my opinion.
I use compressed air to get the dust off my engine then I put gloves on and take a wet rag like lbe55 says and wet wipe what I can, looks pretty good.
Steam cleaning is just hot water under pressure and not all that good an idea for cleaning an engine in my opinion.
I use compressed air to get the dust off my engine then I put gloves on and take a wet rag like lbe55 says and wet wipe what I can, looks pretty good.
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Joined: Mar 2003
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From: WOT somewhere in the Bay Area
1951 Caterpiller D6
Originally Posted by Jakpro1
Looks like that is gonna be it.....old fashioned elbow grease.
Thanks for the info.
Thanks for the info.
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Super Member
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From: South Florida
2007 S65, 2005 Nissan Armada
Castrol super clean and a hose is all you need, you can dilute it if you are afraid of going full strength. A semi stiff paint brush can be used to loosen stubborn dirt. Its best to do it on a warm (not hot) motor and be sure to hose the whole front end of the car down before applying the super clean. You might lose a sticker or two if you do it regularly but it won't damage anything. If for some reason your car runs rough afterwards water has gotten somewhere it shouldn't and on newer cars that should not happen so take it in for service. It will dry out and run normal within a day anyway. I worked as a lot boy/detailer from the age of 16 all the way through college and I pressure washed hundreds of cars (1600 psi hot water) and only the old hunks run poorly after and even they are fine the next day.
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Joined: Dec 2003
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From: Cali
2000 S-Class
1. Let the engine run for a minute or two to warm it up. Grease and other gunk is easier to remove when the engine is warm (NOT HOT).
2. Cover any exposed electrical components and anything else you do not want to get a bunch of water on with aluminum foil.
3. Get a can of engine degreaser from your local auto store...they used GUNK Engine Degreaser. Spray it liberally on everything! Don't be shy...they used the entire can. Let is sit for 10-15mins so it can breakdown and loosen all that grime.
4. Get the hose out and spray down everything to remove all the degreaser and dirt and grime. Do not use a nozzle...just the hose is enough pressure. You do not want to blast water into all the engine components...especially on newer cars.
5. Let the water run off for a few mins and start the engine and let is run for 30 seconds to help dry some of the water.
6. Here's the final step that SHOCKED the hell out of me. They sprayed the entire engine bay down with WD-40. They used an entire can and sparyed it on EVERYTHING! After they were done; the engine looked BRAND NEW. I was told this is how many car dealers get the used cars to look brand new under the hood. Some substitute Pledge furniture spray instead of WD-40 (believing WD-40 attracts dust).(Details from Vinnymac @E46fanatics)
2. Cover any exposed electrical components and anything else you do not want to get a bunch of water on with aluminum foil.
3. Get a can of engine degreaser from your local auto store...they used GUNK Engine Degreaser. Spray it liberally on everything! Don't be shy...they used the entire can. Let is sit for 10-15mins so it can breakdown and loosen all that grime.
4. Get the hose out and spray down everything to remove all the degreaser and dirt and grime. Do not use a nozzle...just the hose is enough pressure. You do not want to blast water into all the engine components...especially on newer cars.
5. Let the water run off for a few mins and start the engine and let is run for 30 seconds to help dry some of the water.
6. Here's the final step that SHOCKED the hell out of me. They sprayed the entire engine bay down with WD-40. They used an entire can and sparyed it on EVERYTHING! After they were done; the engine looked BRAND NEW. I was told this is how many car dealers get the used cars to look brand new under the hood. Some substitute Pledge furniture spray instead of WD-40 (believing WD-40 attracts dust).(Details from Vinnymac @E46fanatics)
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Joined: Aug 2005
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2005 E55 Black
Originally Posted by pas
Castrol super clean and a hose is all you need, you can dilute it if you are afraid of going full strength. A semi stiff paint brush can be used to loosen stubborn dirt. Its best to do it on a warm (not hot) motor and be sure to hose the whole front end of the car down before applying the super clean. You might lose a sticker or two if you do it regularly but it won't damage anything. If for some reason your car runs rough afterwards water has gotten somewhere it shouldn't and on newer cars that should not happen so take it in for service. It will dry out and run normal within a day anyway. I worked as a lot boy/detailer from the age of 16 all the way through college and I pressure washed hundreds of cars (1600 psi hot water) and only the old hunks run poorly after and even they are fine the next day.
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 334
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From: So. Cal.
2004 E55 Evosport I & II; VRP H/E
Originally Posted by dtxmob
Grease and other gunk . . . . loosen all that grime . . . .
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Joined: May 2004
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From: Richmond Hill, Ontario
2003 E55 AMG
I havent had time to detail my E55 engine but when I used to do it on my other cars this is what I did:
I use the compressed air method to blow out loose dirt and dust.
I then idle the car for 5 or 10min to build up heat in the motor.
I then spray windex all over the place and just let it soak in. Sounds funny I know, but windex actually does a very good job of disolving the dirt and grime. I let everything dry then I wipe down quickly with a rag.
Last step is to spray Black magic tire dressing all over the place. Let that dry on its own and everything will look sparkling new!!
I use the compressed air method to blow out loose dirt and dust.
I then idle the car for 5 or 10min to build up heat in the motor.
I then spray windex all over the place and just let it soak in. Sounds funny I know, but windex actually does a very good job of disolving the dirt and grime. I let everything dry then I wipe down quickly with a rag.
Last step is to spray Black magic tire dressing all over the place. Let that dry on its own and everything will look sparkling new!!
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Joined: Aug 2004
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From: Encino
'06 CLS55 AMG
You gotta stay on it man! I clean mine once every 2-3 weeks. I have never had to use anything other than a damp rag as I keep up with it but you can try some Simple Green with a Toothbrush for the hard to clean areas like the Intake Plenums and the Supercharger. Then you can wipe with a wet rag to rinse. The rest like the core support, firewall, sides of the bay, plastic engine covers is fine with a damp rag. Stay on it and it will always be beautiful! To me, keeping the engine clean and pretty is just as important as keeping the outside clean.
Last edited by VelocitE55; Nov 8, 2005 at 02:58 PM.
Super Member
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 577
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From: South Florida
2007 S65, 2005 Nissan Armada
obviously there are many ways to get the job done and some of us have much more time on our hands then others. As far as using Castrol super clean on aluminum I've never had any problems with it, i've used it on motorcycles, boats, cars, and I use it for my wheel cleaner 50/50 with water in a pump sprayer it works great and has never damaged anything i have used it on. It does not work well on chrome wheels for some reason, but great on alloys.
Member
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 224
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From: Augusta Georgia
2005 E55
Most self spray wash sites have a selection of spot-free rinse. If you dust 1x a month with this setting and raise your hood when you get home and wipe off the excess and wipe the upper cross member of with meguiar's spray and wipe detailer your car engine compartment it will look brand new. Mine still runs low 12's after said treatment. If you have build up since you have never cleaned before dust the engine compartment with simple green and rinse as stated.
Last edited by AmenMercedesGo; Nov 8, 2005 at 07:59 PM. Reason: wrong attachment
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Joined: Nov 2003
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From: Palm Beach, FL
'03 Yukon XL Denali, '06 Eclipse GS
I know this is a long overdue reply, but, I just finished hosing my engine bay and the steps I took were the following:
1. WD-40d all components
2. Poured Formula 88 in a spray bottle and sprayed liberally around engine and engine itself
3. Scrubbed around with an old toothbrush to loosen tough grime and dirt
4. Hosed down and wiped with terry towels
I wasn't sure to use tire dressing because I'm paranoid about the "Extremely Flammabale Content" label. Can you tell me it's safe to use?
1. WD-40d all components
2. Poured Formula 88 in a spray bottle and sprayed liberally around engine and engine itself
3. Scrubbed around with an old toothbrush to loosen tough grime and dirt
4. Hosed down and wiped with terry towels
I wasn't sure to use tire dressing because I'm paranoid about the "Extremely Flammabale Content" label. Can you tell me it's safe to use?
Junior Member
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 51
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M5
Originally Posted by dtxmob
Get a can of engine degreaser from your local auto store...they used GUNK Engine Degreaser. Spray it liberally on everything! Don't be shy...they used the entire can. Let is sit for 10-15mins so it can breakdown and loosen all that grime.
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Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 5,143
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From: South Orange County, CA
4 wheels
Originally Posted by a_ok2me
I agree. I've used it for at least 8 years without problems. No elbow grease invloved and it's the easiest thing to do to keep everything look new. It removes oil and grease effortlessly.
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forget ALL that.... the absolute BEST engine cleaner... Meguires leather wipes (yes leather wipes)... TRUST ME. its a little secret from the detail junkies, it lasts for months and it makes your engine bay look BRAND new. and the best part is you can use it on everything, plastic, the body paint (inside engine bay), etc etc. i did it on my car and it stays clean year round, just once every few months gotta wipe some more.
Last edited by Bernanke; Nov 20, 2005 at 11:59 PM.
Junior Member
Joined: Apr 2005
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M5
Originally Posted by MB Fanatic
Do you just hose down the engine after using that stuff?
I also spray everywhere under and around the engine because you can have oil spills there, salt, etc. Again, in the 8 years I've used it, I've sprayed everywhere, but I try not to spray electronics and hoses unless I have to. Even when I do, the hoses are still good. I use no pressure when spraying electronics. So far no problems there either. Finally, stay away from the paint job. That's all I can think of.
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Joined: Apr 2005
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M5
Originally Posted by OmeyHomey
forget ALL that.... the absolute BEST engine cleaner... Meguires leather wipes (yes leather wipes)... TRUST ME. its a little secret from the detail junkies, it lasts for months and it makes your engine bay look BRAND new. and the best part is you can use it on everything, plastic, the body paint, etc etc. i did it on my car and it stays clean year round, just once every few months gotta wipe some more.
Edit: I just read the instructions on the new Engine Brite orange citrus product and it states to spray on a cool engine. I did it while the engine was warm and it worked fine. The regular engine brite stuff states to do it on a warm engine.
Last edited by a_ok2me; Nov 21, 2005 at 12:09 AM.
