Ignorant Engine Bay Question

[Wally]

I noticed this too when installing a catch can today. Everything is greasy like a layer of oil is coating it or something.

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[Ground Speed]

I noticed this too when installing a catch can today. Everything is greasy like a layer of oil is coating it or something.

I'm thinking it must be something they sprayed the bay with at the dealership. When i wiped it down it hasn't returned.

:cheers:

 

[DarkestHour]

Mine was coated in some kind of goo by the dealership. It was nasty.

 

[Ultrakla$$ic]

Cuz Ecoboom!!! It's just practicing until it blows!!!:lol:

 

[Wally]

I'm thinking it must be something they sprayed the bay with at the dealership. When i wiped it down it hasn't returned.

:cheers:

Good to know, thanks.

 

[RitzGT]

Get some Simple Green and go to work.

This is what I do. Just be careful not to get it on the exterior painted surfaces (the body) since it will strip off any wax. This is usually step #1 for me when I detail my car a couple of times a year.

Step #2 wash
Step #3 clay
Step #4 polish
Step #5 hit all exposed rubber/plastic with 303 Aerospace protectant
Step #6 rinse
Step #7 synthetic sealant
Step #8 carnauba wax for that wet shine

I do the rubber/plastic before the sealant and wax so that it's easier to just wipe off any that slops onto the rubber/plastic. Wipes right off without leaving any white chalky stains later.

Best,

 

[RitzGT]

Spraying a stream of water and chemicals into an engine bay just seems sketch y to me. It is asking for something to get damaged!

Seems overly paranoid. Anything located in the engine bay is going to be weatherproof. That doesn't mean you can submerge things in water, but a stream of water from a hose isn't going to hurt anything. Back in the stone age when I was a lad, the biggest risk was water getting into the distributor cap and you'd have to take it off and blow it out with air or dry with a towel.

Best,

 

[Decosse]

I washed the engine in my G6 every year for 8 years, no problems. There is a self service car wash down the street, it takes less than five min to get there. I used the tire cleaner setting (hot water, strong green low suds soap, low pressure), then spot free rinse, low pressure. I avoided directly spraying anything looking electronic () Worked nicely.

And from our Mustang owners' manual: (pg 232)

CLEANING THE ENGINE
Engines are more efficient when they are
clean because grease and dirt buildup keep
the engine warmer than normal.
When washing:
• Take care when using a power washer
to clean the engine. The high-pressure
fluid could penetrate the sealed parts
and cause damage.
• Do not spray a hot engine with cold
water to avoid cracking the engine
block or other engine components.
• Spray Motorcraft Engine Shampoo and
Degreaser on all parts that require
cleaning and pressure rinse clean. In
Canada, use Motorcraft Engine
Shampoo.
• Never wash or rinse the engine while it
is hot or running; water in the running
engine may cause internal damage.
• Never wash or rinse any ignition coil,
spark plug wire or spark plug well, or
the area in and around these locations.
• Cover the battery, power distribution
box, and air filter assembly to prevent
water damage when cleaning the
engine.

 

[GTA Mustang]

That oily film could possibly be the waxy chassis rust inhabiting material that was over-sprayed onto exhaust components, and evaporated off together with grease and other stuff (such as stickers, plastic labels, etc.) that normally found on new parts. When you run the car for the first time you probably notice a burning smell as the exhaust system completely burnt off for the first time. The fumes that came out most likely ended up condensing on all the cool surfaces under the hood. Just give it a good wash with a mild de-greaser.

 

[mustang1]

I know this is probably a dumb question, but why would the inside of my engine bay be oily/greasy? ...
...

Purchased in November, EcoBoost, about 1950 miles so far, not a daily driver.

did you pop the hood when the car was brand new ? Any visible oil sheen then? Or is this a recent development ? You could always take the car to the dealership and have them put it on a lift and check it for leaks.

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