Castrol Everywhere! :(

Ricardo1992

Member
 Inverurie, Aberdeenshire
Tonight on the drive back home, I opened the boot to place an item of luggage in it and noticed that the large bottle of Catrol engine oil had leaked all over the boot, battery and everywhere it could reach. It has sunk deep into the fabric and I have no idea how to get this stuff out! :headbang: Really frustrated that this has happened. Not really a specific E85 problem but any help on how to get this out of the fabric would be a great help. I have removed the section from the boot which covers the battery tonight and tried rubbing it down with car shampoo and applying lots of water. Not sure if it has worked but there is still a long way to go. The battery compartment is flooded too. Not sure about the long-term consequences of this... :cry:
 
Same happened to mine. Battery out and clean it all up is the best way.

You can buy some foam stuff to get the oil out of the fabric. Can't remember what I used, but it worked. Had to keep applying the foam (comes in a can) and then washing it off using the outside hosepipe.
 
ben g said:
Same happened to mine. Battery out and clean it all up is the best way.

You can buy some foam stuff to get the oil out of the fabric. Can't remember what I used, but it worked. Had to keep applying the foam (comes in a can) and then washing it off using the outside hosepipe.

Might have to ask my local car parts center if they know about this foam. Any further description on it? Colour of bottle, etc? Sounds like it would definitely do the trick! :thumbsup:

srhutch said:
Probably easier to pick up a new boot floor. Must be loads floating around the breakers.

Was thinking about that option too. been a recent z4 smash in my local area which was in the papers. Have no idea which scrapyard it went to. If I knew, I would pick up more than just a boot floor too!
 
srhutch said:
Probably easier to pick up a new boot floor. Must be loads floating around the breakers.

Yeah, hopefully! Just had a quick look on ebay too and not having much luck. Only one for sale and it doesnt look in that great condition. :(
 
Nasty mess - Oil really does get everywhere.

I think you're wasting your time trying to clean it off carpet. It will never really come out and always smell every warm day.

I'd buy replacement as mentioned above.

BMW prices were not too bad as I recall when fitting Bluetooth I had to buy a new bulkhead piece and it was only something like £30. Bet the battery cover bit is nearer £100 though given the board base to it.

Battery well and other areas - I'd use degreaser, not shampoos as they are bulked with salt that's not good anywhere near a car...
 
Agree with others in that a replacement is the only way to go. You will probably be able to make it 'look' clean, but it will never be right.
 
Long shot but if you know someone with a washing machine they're about to replace try rolling the carpet up and wash it a couple of times using an excess of detergent. If it works great, if not then just buy new as you've not lost anything.
 
think I've got a spare base board (carpeted bit that sits above the battery)
If I do, yours for £30 plus shipping.
 
simonlpearce said:
Agree with others in that a replacement is the only way to go. You will probably be able to make it 'look' clean, but it will never be right.

Nothing wrong with mine. You're all assuming without actually knowing.
 
sk93 said:
think I've got a spare base board (carpeted bit that sits above the battery)
If I do, yours for £30 plus shipping.

I've given it a really good wash. Hopefully that should be it. Spent a few hours with a power-hose after spending my time using shampoo and a hose reel. I will see what the results are and get back to you on that one.

As for the compartment, I managed to use something along the lines of a cooking syringe and used that to take out the oil. Just from the battery bay alone I managed to fill up a full 500ml bottle. That is not including all the paper towels I used, and the amount which was soaked into the battery cover. Then used alcohol to clean it up once the large puddles had gone. Looks like it is a successful job! Ill just need to check the cover today and hopefully it will be as good as new :thumbsup: If not, Ill be giving sk93 a shout!
 
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