how to clean the engine bay

[MiguelACA]

i think there was a post about this, but i wasnt able to find it, i want my engine/engine bay to really shine, the esy on top stuff is easy to clean and shiny, but theres still dirt and stuff in other places that are a little hard to get to, on my contour i would just spray it with degreaser everywhere, little elbow grease, and hose it down, but then again, it wasnt a bimmer...wut do u guys suggest?

[Barm]

I use Simple Green, works great. Spray on, let sit for 5 mins and hose off. If it's really grimy, a 2nd or 3rd application should to the trick.

[MiguelACA]

wouldnt hosing down the engine cause some problems, i mean on electrical stuff?

[Needle Damage]

Put a bag around your coil pack and tie it off.

[RexKing86]

just be carefull and use foamy engine brite. just dont spray anything that would make you worry.

[MiguelACA]

Originally Posted by Needle Damage

Put a bag around your coil pack and tie it off.

but the coils are liek in the engine, not out of it like on the 318...???

and rex, wut would make me worry...? anything in specific i should cover up or something?

[boostinsixtwintturbo]

steam cleaning? if you know how to do it right.

[german-speed-demon]

Westley bleche white works wonders. Just keep a hose handy, it will take off paint if left on too long.

[Red_Rocket]

GUNK spray from any auto store, used it on my engine, when i redid my coolant system, worked like a champ romoved all grease and crap, and didnt damage anything

Method:

Spray on
Scrub area
Spray off with water (yes just use water, Everything will be fine)

[Nyew3666]

I've seen a mechanic use brake cleaner spray and let it sit, it didn't damage anything but I would cover up some things just to be safe.

[MiguelACA]

i still havent gotten my engine bay cleam like i wanted, i really am too scared to hose it down, i asked before, but didnt get a solid answer, wut should i cover up before hosing down my engine

[Scyrusurcys]

On my E34:

I sprayed acetone all over the engine bay and let it sit for about 10-20 seconds before spraying it off with a pressure washer. No harm done, just make sure all fuses and bare wires are not visible. You should have no problem with water, as there is always moisture in the engine bay when it rains - therefore the only thing you really have to worry about is erosion with a high molar concentrate of cleaner.

[zr3]

Originally Posted by Scyrusurcys

On my E34:

I sprayed acetone all over the engine bay and let it sit for about 10-20 seconds before spraying it off with a pressure washer. No harm done, just make sure all fuses and bare wires are not visible. You should have no problem with water, as there is always moisture in the engine bay when it rains - therefore the only thing you really have to worry about is erosion with a high molar concentrate of cleaner.

yikes , acetone will eat into and dull plastic , i have pressure washed more eng then i can count , 1 out of 10 has produced a misfire from water on the ign. system and thats cured by spraying wd-40 on it and thats all ( wd-40 stands for water displacement -40th try ) if you do it at a car wash it can be a day of waiting for it to dry then drive away , if you do it at home then just wait a few hours before starting it , you should be fine , i have pressure washed my z3 with out any problems .