Does anyone wash their engine bay?
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Joined: Dec 2019
Posts: 32,380
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I can only hope it's just a dead battery. With her being parked outside on the daily since we arrived here (and not driven for weeks at a time) I can only imagine how degraded the battery is from constant weather variations. I was not able to charge or jump start the car as I had limited options at the car wash.
I'm the second owner of this 2018 E63S, which I purchased in 2021. Since owning it I have not replaced the battery, and there isn't any documentation from the previous owner that the battery was replaced. So potentially I am still operating on the original battery...(hmmm).
Mike
I'm the second owner of this 2018 E63S, which I purchased in 2021. Since owning it I have not replaced the battery, and there isn't any documentation from the previous owner that the battery was replaced. So potentially I am still operating on the original battery...(hmmm).
Mike
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2023
Posts: 304
Likes: 183
2023 E63S AMG - Grey Magno
I can only hope it's just a dead battery. With her being parked outside on the daily since we arrived here (and not driven for weeks at a time) I can only imagine how degraded the battery is from constant weather variations. I was not able to charge or jump start the car as I had limited options at the car wash.
I'm the second owner of this 2018 E63S, which I purchased in 2021. Since owning it I have not replaced the battery, and there isn't any documentation from the previous owner that the battery was replaced. So potentially I am still operating on the original battery...(hmmm).
Mike
I'm the second owner of this 2018 E63S, which I purchased in 2021. Since owning it I have not replaced the battery, and there isn't any documentation from the previous owner that the battery was replaced. So potentially I am still operating on the original battery...(hmmm).
Mike
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Member
Joined: Jul 2021
Posts: 171
Likes: 55
From: Northern Virginia
2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT (sold) 1993 Mazda RX7 (sold)
Mike
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Joined: Nov 2006
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From: Florida
Aston Martin Vantage, GLE 43 AMG, Volvo XC60, BMW X1 35i, Ram 1500, BMW Z4 35i
I use vacuum and compressed air... get rid of junk and debris...
then I use tire foam that cleans and dresses... most of the engines are plastic or carbon fiber covers...
use a mid size and smaller bristle bush to get nooks and crannies and respray foam and use compressed air...
then final wipe down with older MF cloths/rags
then I use tire foam that cleans and dresses... most of the engines are plastic or carbon fiber covers...
use a mid size and smaller bristle bush to get nooks and crannies and respray foam and use compressed air...
then final wipe down with older MF cloths/rags
MBWorld God!
Joined: Dec 2019
Posts: 32,380
Likes: 6,327
I use vacuum and compressed air... get rid of junk and debris...
then I use tire foam that cleans and dresses... most of the engines are plastic or carbon fiber covers...
use a mid size and smaller bristle bush to get nooks and crannies and respray foam and use compressed air...
then final wipe down with older MF cloths/rags
then I use tire foam that cleans and dresses... most of the engines are plastic or carbon fiber covers...
use a mid size and smaller bristle bush to get nooks and crannies and respray foam and use compressed air...
then final wipe down with older MF cloths/rags
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2019
Posts: 1,257
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From: USA
2018 E63S Wagon, 2017 Z51 Corvette
After a RMS replacement (twice) at an incompetent local dealer I took it to a reliable local. They removed all the covers and did a detailed inspection to be sure the dealer actually fixed the leak. Then it went over to a shop that does steam cleaning and they cleaned the entire bottom & engine area (top & bottom). Then a month later back to the shop for another inspection and the covers to be put back on. No issues with the cleaning and the shop did say it came out really clean.
Super Member
Joined: Apr 2018
Posts: 609
Likes: 211
From: Boston area
2016 E63 Wagon
Hmmm, there is a lot of interesting info on this thread.
First things first - you can 100% clean your engine using a hose and a citrus based degreaser. Modern connectors are very well protected against water intrusion.
Never wash a hot engine, note that modern engines get "hot" MUCH faster than cars 15 or 20 years ago.
Never use high pressure sprayer.
It is good safety measure to remove ground from the battery before starting, but not necessary in 99% of cases.
When washing - try to avoid spraying directly at sensitive equipment (in our cars in particular the ECU connectors - the box is fine - it's 100% water proof - but be careful - better to use wipes there)
Don't leave car running while washing! Two reasons. First - certain parts (exhaust, cats etc) will be warm vey fast and if you then spray water on it you do run the risk of the metal cracking. Second - many, many more parts are energized when running and at higher voltages (ignition coils for example).
Once done, if you have compressed air - blow *gently* to remove any obvious puddles etc. Then wipe down with rag or microfiber.
Now, as someone said above - go drive the car. At least 20-30 minutes, and at highway speed. Park, leave hood up for 10-20 minutes for moisture to evaporate. Wipe down again since there will be water spots.
To OP: as weird as it sounds, I think you have another issue, like weak battery.
First things first - you can 100% clean your engine using a hose and a citrus based degreaser. Modern connectors are very well protected against water intrusion.
Never wash a hot engine, note that modern engines get "hot" MUCH faster than cars 15 or 20 years ago.
Never use high pressure sprayer.
It is good safety measure to remove ground from the battery before starting, but not necessary in 99% of cases.
When washing - try to avoid spraying directly at sensitive equipment (in our cars in particular the ECU connectors - the box is fine - it's 100% water proof - but be careful - better to use wipes there)
Don't leave car running while washing! Two reasons. First - certain parts (exhaust, cats etc) will be warm vey fast and if you then spray water on it you do run the risk of the metal cracking. Second - many, many more parts are energized when running and at higher voltages (ignition coils for example).
Once done, if you have compressed air - blow *gently* to remove any obvious puddles etc. Then wipe down with rag or microfiber.
Now, as someone said above - go drive the car. At least 20-30 minutes, and at highway speed. Park, leave hood up for 10-20 minutes for moisture to evaporate. Wipe down again since there will be water spots.
To OP: as weird as it sounds, I think you have another issue, like weak battery.
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Out Of Control!!
Joined: Nov 2018
Posts: 11,432
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From: San Francisco Bay Area
2019 C63CS
At this point further posts are just guessing and at best unproven claims. We won't know what really caused it until he gets word back from the dealership in Frankfurt. Given how long it seems to take for them to diagnose the issue I suspect it's more than just a weak battery.
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Jul 2021
Posts: 171
Likes: 55
From: Northern Virginia
2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT (sold) 1993 Mazda RX7 (sold)
Got the car back yesterday evening!
To those that said weak/battery issue, you were spot on! Battery failed all tests and diagnostics and was therefore replaced. As the receipt and all documentation is in German, there would be no point in cutting and pasting it here, but I have done my best to translate and provide the details and costs below:
-Perform a short test: 63.61
-Maintain vehicle electrical system voltage (during testing and diagnostic work): 21.30
-Battery system components:..............still check error code: 127.78
-Check the condition of the 12 V vehicle electrical system battery (after a short test): 21.30
-Recharge the battery (after testing): 21.30
-Replace the vehicle electrical system battery (after testing) from 37/17. Doesn't maintain power, always fails.: 85.19
-VEHICLE ELECTRICAL BATTERY: 391.44
-19% Tax: 139.06
-Total: 870.98
A pretty steep and costly mistake on my part, but for sure a lesson learned. I am thankful that I didn't cause any further/major damage because of this.
Much appreciation to the members, and "speculators" :-) who posted here with their thoughts, "good vibes" and alternate engine bay cleaning hacks.
Mike
To those that said weak/battery issue, you were spot on! Battery failed all tests and diagnostics and was therefore replaced. As the receipt and all documentation is in German, there would be no point in cutting and pasting it here, but I have done my best to translate and provide the details and costs below:
-Perform a short test: 63.61
-Maintain vehicle electrical system voltage (during testing and diagnostic work): 21.30
-Battery system components:..............still check error code: 127.78
-Check the condition of the 12 V vehicle electrical system battery (after a short test): 21.30
-Recharge the battery (after testing): 21.30
-Replace the vehicle electrical system battery (after testing) from 37/17. Doesn't maintain power, always fails.: 85.19
-VEHICLE ELECTRICAL BATTERY: 391.44
-19% Tax: 139.06
-Total: 870.98
A pretty steep and costly mistake on my part, but for sure a lesson learned. I am thankful that I didn't cause any further/major damage because of this.
Much appreciation to the members, and "speculators" :-) who posted here with their thoughts, "good vibes" and alternate engine bay cleaning hacks.
Mike
MBWorld God!
Joined: Dec 2019
Posts: 32,380
Likes: 6,327
Got the car back yesterday evening!
To those that said weak/battery issue, you were spot on! Battery failed all tests and diagnostics and was therefore replaced. As the receipt and all documentation is in German, there would be no point in cutting and pasting it here, but I have done my best to translate and provide the details and costs below:
-Perform a short test: 63.61
-Maintain vehicle electrical system voltage (during testing and diagnostic work): 21.30
-Battery system components:..............still check error code: 127.78
-Check the condition of the 12 V vehicle electrical system battery (after a short test): 21.30
-Recharge the battery (after testing): 21.30
-Replace the vehicle electrical system battery (after testing) from 37/17. Doesn't maintain power, always fails.: 85.19
-VEHICLE ELECTRICAL BATTERY: 391.44
-19% Tax: 139.06
-Total: 870.98
A pretty steep and costly mistake on my part, but for sure a lesson learned. I am thankful that I didn't cause any further/major damage because of this.
Much appreciation to the members, and "speculators" :-) who posted here with their thoughts, "good vibes" and alternate engine bay cleaning hacks.
Mike
To those that said weak/battery issue, you were spot on! Battery failed all tests and diagnostics and was therefore replaced. As the receipt and all documentation is in German, there would be no point in cutting and pasting it here, but I have done my best to translate and provide the details and costs below:
-Perform a short test: 63.61
-Maintain vehicle electrical system voltage (during testing and diagnostic work): 21.30
-Battery system components:..............still check error code: 127.78
-Check the condition of the 12 V vehicle electrical system battery (after a short test): 21.30
-Recharge the battery (after testing): 21.30
-Replace the vehicle electrical system battery (after testing) from 37/17. Doesn't maintain power, always fails.: 85.19
-VEHICLE ELECTRICAL BATTERY: 391.44
-19% Tax: 139.06
-Total: 870.98
A pretty steep and costly mistake on my part, but for sure a lesson learned. I am thankful that I didn't cause any further/major damage because of this.
Much appreciation to the members, and "speculators" :-) who posted here with their thoughts, "good vibes" and alternate engine bay cleaning hacks.
Mike
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Jul 2021
Posts: 171
Likes: 55
From: Northern Virginia
2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT (sold) 1993 Mazda RX7 (sold)
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2023
Posts: 304
Likes: 183
2023 E63S AMG - Grey Magno
Got the car back yesterday evening!
To those that said weak/battery issue, you were spot on! Battery failed all tests and diagnostics and was therefore replaced. As the receipt and all documentation is in German, there would be no point in cutting and pasting it here, but I have done my best to translate and provide the details and costs below:
-Perform a short test: 63.61
-Maintain vehicle electrical system voltage (during testing and diagnostic work): 21.30
-Battery system components:..............still check error code: 127.78
-Check the condition of the 12 V vehicle electrical system battery (after a short test): 21.30
-Recharge the battery (after testing): 21.30
-Replace the vehicle electrical system battery (after testing) from 37/17. Doesn't maintain power, always fails.: 85.19
-VEHICLE ELECTRICAL BATTERY: 391.44
-19% Tax: 139.06
-Total: 870.98
A pretty steep and costly mistake on my part, but for sure a lesson learned. I am thankful that I didn't cause any further/major damage because of this.
Much appreciation to the members, and "speculators" :-) who posted here with their thoughts, "good vibes" and alternate engine bay cleaning hacks.
Mike
To those that said weak/battery issue, you were spot on! Battery failed all tests and diagnostics and was therefore replaced. As the receipt and all documentation is in German, there would be no point in cutting and pasting it here, but I have done my best to translate and provide the details and costs below:
-Perform a short test: 63.61
-Maintain vehicle electrical system voltage (during testing and diagnostic work): 21.30
-Battery system components:..............still check error code: 127.78
-Check the condition of the 12 V vehicle electrical system battery (after a short test): 21.30
-Recharge the battery (after testing): 21.30
-Replace the vehicle electrical system battery (after testing) from 37/17. Doesn't maintain power, always fails.: 85.19
-VEHICLE ELECTRICAL BATTERY: 391.44
-19% Tax: 139.06
-Total: 870.98
A pretty steep and costly mistake on my part, but for sure a lesson learned. I am thankful that I didn't cause any further/major damage because of this.
Much appreciation to the members, and "speculators" :-) who posted here with their thoughts, "good vibes" and alternate engine bay cleaning hacks.
Mike
Do yourself a favor and get a battery maintainer of sort if you plan to not drive it for weeks and leave it plugged in at the terminals in the front. No need to get a special super fancy one that Mercedes approved or whatever, they all work the same as long as it can handle an AGM battery. I have used them all and NOCO on amazon is a great value for the money.
This is the basic slow trickle one that works great-
This one is much more powerful and will charge quicker if you need it -
Last edited by zukmeister; Apr 3, 2025 at 09:50 AM.
MBWorld God!
Joined: Dec 2019
Posts: 32,380
Likes: 6,327
Good stuff - I called the bad battery from the very beginning. Glad to hear that's all it was.
Do yourself a favor and get a battery maintainer of sort if you plan to not drive it for weeks and leave it plugged in at the terminals in the front. No need to get a special super fancy one that Mercedes approved or whatever, they all work the same as long as it can handle an AGM battery. I have used them all and NOCO on amazon is a great value for the money.
This is the basic slow trickle one that works great- https://www.amazon.com/NOCO-GENIUS1-...s%2C187&sr=8-1
This one is much more powerful and will charge quicker if you need it - https://www.amazon.com/NOCO-GENIUS10...s%2C187&sr=8-9
Do yourself a favor and get a battery maintainer of sort if you plan to not drive it for weeks and leave it plugged in at the terminals in the front. No need to get a special super fancy one that Mercedes approved or whatever, they all work the same as long as it can handle an AGM battery. I have used them all and NOCO on amazon is a great value for the money.
This is the basic slow trickle one that works great- https://www.amazon.com/NOCO-GENIUS1-...s%2C187&sr=8-1
This one is much more powerful and will charge quicker if you need it - https://www.amazon.com/NOCO-GENIUS10...s%2C187&sr=8-9
MBWorld God!
Joined: Dec 2019
Posts: 32,380
Likes: 6,327
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Jul 2021
Posts: 171
Likes: 55
From: Northern Virginia
2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT (sold) 1993 Mazda RX7 (sold)
Good stuff - I called the bad battery from the very beginning. Glad to hear that's all it was.
Do yourself a favor and get a battery maintainer of sort if you plan to not drive it for weeks and leave it plugged in at the terminals in the front. No need to get a special super fancy one that Mercedes approved or whatever, they all work the same as long as it can handle an AGM battery. I have used them all and NOCO on amazon is a great value for the money.
This is the basic slow trickle one that works great- https://www.amazon.com/NOCO-GENIUS1-...s%2C187&sr=8-1
This one is much more powerful and will charge quicker if you need it - https://www.amazon.com/NOCO-GENIUS10...s%2C187&sr=8-9
Do yourself a favor and get a battery maintainer of sort if you plan to not drive it for weeks and leave it plugged in at the terminals in the front. No need to get a special super fancy one that Mercedes approved or whatever, they all work the same as long as it can handle an AGM battery. I have used them all and NOCO on amazon is a great value for the money.
This is the basic slow trickle one that works great- https://www.amazon.com/NOCO-GENIUS1-...s%2C187&sr=8-1
This one is much more powerful and will charge quicker if you need it - https://www.amazon.com/NOCO-GENIUS10...s%2C187&sr=8-9
Mike
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 475
Likes: 149
From: Florida
Aston Martin Vantage, GLE 43 AMG, Volvo XC60, BMW X1 35i, Ram 1500, BMW Z4 35i
I fully plan to pick up a NOCO charger once I return to the U.S.. Unfortunately in order for me to run a trickle charger to the wagon at this apartment complex, I'd have to lay out a 200 yard extension cord from the apartment to the car. I am sure the other residents would not take kindly to this. LOL
Mike
Mike
the one I have for my boat can keep 4 group 31 batteries charged
