Cleaning oil residues

[JHZR2]

On my new 2008 ML320, it had suffered the common oil cooler seal leak. Typical failure point.

Because of this, some oil had seeped down the front of the engine. Onto the alternator case, a pulley, some rubber hoses (intercooler connections I believe), etc.

What’s the best way to clean these items? I’m not sure I want to use brake cleaner or anything like that. I don’t want to spray the alternator, even if I disconnected power and let it dry a long time.

Also don’t want to prematurely damage rubber parts.

What’s the best bet?? This kind of mess:

 

[Rand]

simple green?
I would not use any sort of brake cleaner carb cleaner etc..

 

[panthermike]

VRP?

Kidding of course, not sure on your question but would like to know myself.

 

[BornSlippy]

Super Clean.

 

[JHZR2]

simple green?
I would not use any sort of brake cleaner carb cleaner etc..

I am not sure I want to use any sort of degreaser. If it gets into a bearing. I’d suspect it will ruin the lubrication in there…

 

[BrendanC]

brake clean it your best bet. I’ve never killed electronics with brake clean. other option with A LOT of scrubbing is dawn dish soap

 

[spasm3]

Brake clean evaporates faster. With the small straw you can direct it away from the alternator ends. I spray simple green on large areas.

 

[barkingspider]

Yup, I would use brake cleaner w the straw

 

[Sumboodie]

Stoddard, less bad on plastics and paint. Both I've had brake clean ruin.

 

[Rand]

I am not sure I want to use any sort of degreaser. If it gets into a bearing. I’d suspect it will ruin the lubrication in there…

I wouldn't spray it in an alternator either. I was going by your description of what needed cleaned.

 

[berniedd]

Wouldn't electrical contact cleaner be perfectly safe inside your alternator? Spray liberally till the drips are clean.

 

[JHZR2]

Wouldn't electrical contact cleaner be perfectly safe inside your alternator? Spray liberally till the drips are clean.

If the drips are clean, I probably got the grease out of the bearings too.

No idea if it’s oily inside, or if it matters. Charging system works fine…

 

[JHZR2]

I wouldn't spray it in an alternator either. I was going by your description of what needed cleaned.

Yeah, for the other stuff that’s plastic or rubber that seems like a good bet. Might use a solvent for the pulleys but don’t want to strip the paint.

 

[Donald]

How about Simple Green or Dawn mixed with water and get a sponge or rag wet with the soapy mixture and clean what you can see that needs cleaning. Wipe with dry rags. No solvent would be good for rubber hoses. And just wiping the alternator is unlikely to get any of the soapy mixture into the alternator.

It's the engine bay, not your dashboard. Does not need to be perfect.

 

[JHZR2]

How about Simple Green or Dawn mixed with water and get a sponge or rag wet with the soapy mixture and clean what you can see that needs cleaning. Wipe with dry rags. No solvent would be good for rubber hoses. And just wiping the alternator is unlikely to get any of the soapy mixture into the alternator.

It's the engine bay, not your dashboard. Does not need to be perfect.

Yup… diesel engines tend to be a little bit oily on the outside. My main interest is long term degradation to the plastic/rubber parts, and insulation on the alternator windings…