Clean oil in the engine bay?

j14 · 12-04-2016 08:24PM #1

I'm an idiot...I filled my car with oil this morning and after a about and hour or so of driving the smell of oil was overpowering. I have just opened my bonnet to find I forgot to replace the oil cap. My engine bay is full of oil. It's dripping everywhere. Have I done any permanent damage? Is there anything I should do now or do I just let the oil dry out and eventually burn off?

Harcrid · 12-04-2016 08:52PM

First thing to do is check the oil level and see where it is at. That will give you an indication on whether there was potentially any damage done. I have forgotten to put the oil cap on myself in the past and had the same outcome with no damage. I had the engine bay cleaned as it will never be the same again otherwise.

Atlantic Dawn · 12-04-2016 09:07PM

Try to remove it from the auxillary belt and pullies if any has got on to this. Baby wipes are good at removing it. I did it before myself, leaves a mess but shouldn't do any harm.

biko · 12-04-2016 09:15PM

Refill car with oil.

There are various degreasers you can buy that will break down oil.
Use one of these at a garage with a jet lance and then clean engine bay.

You can also get a pro to clean the engine if that's an option, or if you're not used to DIY your car.

barneygumble99 · 12-04-2016 09:29PM

Tin of brake cleaner will clean a lot of it.

j14 · 12-04-2016 09:44PM

Would a steam cleaning remove the oil?

biko · 12-04-2016 09:46PM

Probably, you may want to use a degreaser anyway

Atlantic Dawn · 12-04-2016 11:20PM

j14 wrote: »

Would a steam cleaning remove the oil?

Yes but be careful, wrap all electronic parts of the engine in plastic or clingfilm, particuary the ECU. If it was me I would use the wipes, the steam cleaner might do more harm than good.

Clean oil in the engine bay?

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