Advertisement
If you have a new account but are having problems posting or verifying your account, please email us on hello@boards.ie for help. Thanks :)
Hello all! Please ensure that you are posting a new thread or question in the appropriate forum. The Feedback forum is overwhelmed with questions that are having to be moved elsewhere. If you need help to verify your account contact hello@boards.ie
Please note that it is not permitted to have referral links posted in your signature. Keep these links contained in the appropriate forum. Thank you.

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2055940817/signature-rules

How to clean oil from engine bay?

  • 29-05-2016 03:10PM
    #1
    CiniO
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 16,039 ✭✭✭✭


    Very unfortunate and silly mistake to make, but it happened to me.

    I topped up oil last night, and forgot to put cap on.
    Drove 20km this morning... All engine bay is splashed with oil.

    Now - I managed to clear visible places with cloth.

    But what else can I do?
    Are there any detergents to clean engine bay properly which could reach into unreachable places?

    Any dangers of driving without clearing it properly - like car going on fire, etc???


Comments

  • #2
    ianobrien
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,751 ✭✭✭ianobrien


    You would be better off in the Detailing Sub-forums asking something like that. I'd be using an engine degreaser or brake disk cleaner.

    As for risks, probably not fire, it will stink for a while.


  • #3
    yupya1
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 173 ✭✭yupya1


    I read once that Coke a Cola used coke to clean their trucks engines!


  • #4
    Del2005
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 19,073 ✭✭✭✭Del2005


    You can buy engine bay cleaner, you just need to cover everything electric and breather pipes/holes before using. Unless it's on the manifold or anywhere that gets really hot it'll evaporate off with use, might be a bit smokey for a while though.


  • #5
    pablo128
    Closed Accounts Posts: 6,210 ✭✭✭pablo128


    Get an aerosol engine degreaser. Spray on, leave for 10 minutes, and rinse off with hot water. Don't park in your driveway because you might stain it. Park over a gutter or something.


  • #6
    biko
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 81,060 ✭✭✭✭biko


    A previous thread http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2057584636


  • Advertisement
  • #7
    edburg
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 853 ✭✭✭edburg


    Used to be a product called gunk in a aerosol can, sprayed foam all about and was very good at its job.

    However I have only seen it once recently and that was a brush on job, maybe EU rules has changed its formula now so is different.

    Other than that a degreaser from detail shop should enable you to get it off, CG orange degreaser seems OK. May need couple visit's to get it all good.


  • #8
    Del2005
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 19,073 ✭✭✭✭Del2005


    pablo128 wrote: »
    Get an aerosol engine degreaser. Spray on, leave for 10 minutes, and rinse off with hot water. Don't park in your driveway because you might stain it. Park over a gutter or something.

    Putting oil down the drain is never the solution to any problem.


  • #9
    Toyotafanboi
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 12,903 ✭✭✭✭Toyotafanboi


    Del2005 wrote: »
    Putting oil down the drain is never the solution to any problem.

    How would you propose he gathers it up?


  • #10
    shietpilot
    Closed Accounts Posts: 2,880 ✭✭✭shietpilot


    Toyotafanboi wrote: »
    How would you propose he gathers it up?

    A few newspapers under the car or a cardboard box broken down will prevent a bad mess :P


  • #11
    bliger
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 170 ✭✭bliger


    Autoglym engine cleaner is the best its water based and it only works for me.


  • Advertisement
  • #12
    pablo128
    Closed Accounts Posts: 6,210 ✭✭✭pablo128


    shietpilot wrote: »
    A few newspapers under the car or a cardboard box broken down will prevent a bad mess :P

    Ah g'way with yer common sense!:pac:


  • #13
    shietpilot
    Closed Accounts Posts: 2,880 ✭✭✭shietpilot


    pablo128 wrote: »
    Ah g'way with yer common sense!:pac:

    Listening to parents moaning about oil stains outside will drill that into your head :D


  • #14
    Toyotafanboi
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 12,903 ✭✭✭✭Toyotafanboi


    pablo128 wrote: »
    Ah g'way with yer common sense!:pac:

    Call my synical but if you have an engine bay splashed with engine oil and you are rinsing jizer off of it with a powerwasher, a few sheets of newspaper and a sheet of cardboard is hardly an EPA approved method to prevent oil contacting the eco system or what have you.

    I think there's no environmentally sound way to do what the OP wants to do unless you own an awful lot of expensive, specialised kit.

    Not that i'd be too much bothered by a few hunded mls of heavily broken down engine oil entering the sewage/ watsewater system.


  • #15
    pablo128
    Closed Accounts Posts: 6,210 ✭✭✭pablo128


    shietpilot wrote: »
    Listening to parents moaning about oil stains outside will drill that into your head :D

    I just put anti-freeze into my dads car about an hour and a half ago. I dropped the old semi rusty liquid all over his drive! LOL. He didn't say a thing. He spills oil all the time when topping up his car.

    There would be war if I spilled oil though!:D


  • #16
    Del2005
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 19,073 ✭✭✭✭Del2005


    Toyotafanboi wrote: »
    How would you propose he gathers it up?

    You can buy big plastic sheets and pads that adsorb oil.


Advertisement