while taking the filter casing out, i dropped the heavily soaked filter and a good amount of oil just spilled right below where the filter goes.

i bought a can of engine foam degreaser and plan on using it to spray.

is this safe? i don't know what's underneath, maybe some parts that should not be sprayed with this? any recommendation on getting the oil off the parts safely?

 

The only things I can think of in the area would be the main control arm ball joint and the bushing. These things would probably do better without oil soaking into them. I'd imagine that degreaser wouldn't harm them, but I'd check the bottle for any danger to rubber.

 

It's almost impossible not to spill some. you should be fine with degreaser. Make sure to wipe down the aluminum part of the heat exchanger just below the oil filter housing.

 

Most car washes have a De-greaser setting that work well without being harmful. Just be careful not to directly spray electrical connectors and spark plug wires. Keep the spray mainly on the block and metallic surfaces. Hold wand away to spray plastic and painted surfaces. I have cleaned my engine many times and have not had a problem to this day.

 

I'm not sure I'd want to do that. your electric power steering pump is pretty close to where you would be spraying to remove the oil. Electric pumps and strong jets of water don't usually mix well.

 

That's why you would hold the wand away from the parts that are not metal. Using a little common sense when cleaning the engine will go a long way in taking care of the oil spill issue. Just don't spray parts that you are not familiar with. It's not a perfect solution......just a suggestion!

 

in the future buy some disposable oil absorbing pads

or pampers

or a bunch of rags

and pad the area below the filter. we all try NOT to spill but accidents happen. I wondered if the failure of my lower control arm bushing (02 & only on that side) was partly due to the oil spillage from this source that worked its way to this point.

Funny the other side was fine at the same time . . .

Inquiring minds want to know. I still do/assist some GEN1 owners with their changes and I now place plenty of absorbants under the filter area.

 

Here is a picture of the area that is in question.

 

We use brake clean, it drys up better.

 

what is break clean? is it something you spray out of a can? can i spray that on rubber parts/hoses?