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Dealer flooded my engine compartment

3K views 11 replies 8 participants last post by  ArcticDriver 
#1 ·
Took truck in for oil and filter change and dealer tells me there was a problem when they clicked in the fuel filter. Diesel flooded engine compartment, I thought no big deal they cleaned and washed what they could and the rest would burn of.Well the smell in the cab is unbearable, called the dealer and bringing it back tomorrow but looks like its a losing battle under there to clean tight , insulation. Smell coming through vents and into cab. What do you guys think just looking for some advise. Thanks in advance
 
#2 ·
Well that's a new one. I would keep taking it back until it is fixed. I think unfortunately you may be right. it may eventually go away, but it would take a lot of airing out. My 2011 had a musty smell for a long time after I left the back windows down and it rained (poured) in. I got everything dried, and steam cleaned it a couple of times. But when closed up, it would still smell musty. It took many months (over a year) for the musty smell to go away. And even then, it never completely went away. Just mostly.
 
#3 ·
I think the smell will go away quicker than you think. When I use a petroleum engine degreasing product, like GUNK, I have the strong odor for probably a week, but then it goes away. Sucks that it happened. You could do the degreasing yourself. They do make some engine degreasers that don't have a strong petroleum smell too.
 
#7 ·
When I use a petroleum engine degreasing product, like GUNK, I have the strong odor for probably a week
To keep my engine & the area under the hood looking new I spray everything down with full strength Simple Green & I do this when the engine is COLD. After it sits for 15 minutes or so I will rinse it off with a mist of low pressure water being careful to avoid anything electrical as much as possible. After rinsing I will close the hood, start the engine & either drive it if I have somewhere to go or just let it idle for about 5 minutes to begin drying everything out. After everything is dry or even the next day I will mist the entire engine compartment with Formula 303 Protectant.
Of course, this works much better if you stay ahead of things & not let it get too dirty between cleanings. The Simple Green works very will & doesn’t have the strong smell that some degreasers will have. I’ve qlways done this with all the vehicles I’ve ever owned & never had any problems. When it’s time to sell it or trade it in people are amazed when they look under the hood.
 
#4 ·
Dealer did a full detail on engine compartment looks like new under there. Service manager apologized but said realistically it will take time to go away, I used de-greaser on the bottom end when I got home, smell is there but not as bad. Sh%t happens just hope goes away totally.Thanks for the feed back
 
#9 · (Edited)
A bucket of hot water with Dawn dishwashing detergent does a good job of breaking down hydro-carbons, especially light fuels. We used alot of it on the Exxon oil spill.

Simple Green is a good product (and stronger) but be sure to rinse thoroughly because it becomes corrosive after a period of time to paint and rubber, etc.
 
#5 ·
Unfortunately it will almost always take time for the odor to dissipate and it also depends on how much fuel was involved. We have seen a bunch of secondary filters crack on the top which usually sprays fuel behind the insulation attached to the firewall... the hood and of course all over the engine.
 
#8 ·
Gunk and petroleum based de greasers also create a strong odor. Never liked them either. I settled in on Simple Green as well - it works pretty well full strength - does not create it's own strong odor - safe, non-toxic and biodegradable too!
 
#12 ·
Here is what Simple Green says:
“The new product, called ExtremeSimple Green Aircraft & Precision Cleaner, has heightened non-corrosive qualities, making it perhaps more suitable for high-tech bike alloys, painted surfaces, rubber and plastic parts. To date we have only promoted this product in the aviation industry. If it turns out to be better for bicycles and bike parts as well, then we’d certainly like to let people know about that.
Denise Dochnahl
Marketing Specialist
Simple Green”
 
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