dirty engine bay - BMW Forum

josh2006 · 03-31-2011, 02:51 PM

I need some advice on what product is recommended for cleaning my engine bay. I just bought a very nice 530I W/Mtech package from my friend, everything is immaculate except the engine bay. The car didnt get driven too much.
what product would be recommended? and what precautions should be taken?

witeshark · 03-31-2011, 03:46 PM

I don't recommend pressure or water cleaning. IMO, just careful wiping is all I'd ever do.

josh2006 · 03-31-2011, 05:43 PM

thanks, I feel the same way too. I am afraid to F*** something up with this engine. What product would you recommend to wipe it down with?

witeshark · 03-31-2011, 06:17 PM

I've not tried anything to be honest. Maybe a Google of some product reviews can help.

Moose · 04-03-2011, 01:16 AM

Simple Green and a hose. Just don't spray her down when she has been running and everything is hot. During a long trip in heavy rain, most of the engine compartment gets really soaked. Not sure why many folks are so hesitant to hit it with some cleaner and a hose. We all have our opinions and I respect the opinions of others. This is just MHO and I've not had a problem with the many BMW's I've owned performing this. I did use "Castrol Super Clean" once, when I was young and overly ambitious. That was a bad idea, it eats plastic and a tacks paint. Simple Green is environmentally safe, and wont hurt components. A clean engine runs cooler than a grimed up one :0) Good luck!

Reuvers · 04-03-2011, 08:15 AM

baby wipes

josh2006 · 04-03-2011, 08:35 PM

thanks moose, i bought some simple green today and did some wiping down. i managed to get some good results. I will post pics sometime tommorrow.

josh2006 · 04-03-2011, 08:38 PM

i forgot to mention though i will try the hose with some light usage and simple green..and you are right, the engine does get wet during a drive in the rain, we seem to forget that.

josh2006 · 04-04-2011, 10:40 AM

ok, i attached two pictures of the engine bay, i should have took before pictures, but this is the current result. I sprayed "Simple Green" all over and adjusted the hose to spray mist like and that worked out pretty good.

Moose · 04-04-2011, 11:29 PM

I'm glad the Simple Green worked good for you. I'll have to take some photos of mine whenever I get to post some pictures up. (newbie, think I have to have a certain number of posts first) I didn't take any before pics, but should have. It was nasty. I have to admit, I used a pretty strong spray nozzle on my hose. But I am careful where the pressure is applied. It takes a few repeats to get it nice and clean. The best time I have always found is after driving on a rainy day, everything is a bit wet, and the grease seems to break down faster.

josh2006 · 04-05-2011, 07:19 AM

thanks, when you got to reply to the post, try the "Go Advanced" button next to the post quick reply button. See if you have the option to attach photos.

Moose · 04-07-2011, 08:59 PM

I took a few pics after doing mine with simple green and following it up with some Black n' Back. Sorry the lighting is poor in my garage. I wish I would have been thinking when I bought it last month and taken "before" pictures. The fan shroud, coolant tank, fan, window washer reservoir cap, and countless other items were destroyed or in very bad shape. It is looking like a new engine bay, though the suspension is next on my list of items to complete.