Engine cleaning

[statdoc]

What is everyone's opinion on cleaning the engine and engine bay? Steam cleaning? Chemical cleaners? Pressure washer? Water hose?

[X5Jay]

Damp rag, dry rag, a little Zaino here & there. If you do this fairly often, you don't have to worry about getting the engine bay too wet.

[motordavid]

Originally Posted by X5Jay

Damp rag, dry rag, a little Zaino here & there. If you do this fairly often, you don't have to worry about getting the engine bay too wet.

A touch of your fave "back to black" stuff on the plastic, maybe.

If it's really grimy, take a couple of old throw away towels and your fave cleaner, eg windex, soapy water, whatever and go over the grundgey parts w/some elbow grease, then a damp rag, then dry towel.

My opin is to skip the pressure wash or even hose deal, unless you are heading for the "car show",
GL,md

[RealShakaZulu]

http://www.xoutpost.com/x5-e53-forum/...html#post48950

[X5Jay]

Originally Posted by motordavid

If it's really grimy, take a couple of old throw away towels and your fave cleaner...
GL,md

I'll bet this is one of the great many uses mD has for his gazillion stolen hotel towels!

[motordavid]

Originally Posted by X5Jay

I'll bet this is one of the great many uses mD has for his gazillion stolen hotel towels!

How'd you know, Jay?!

[Intel55]

if it is really dirty, then, commmon sense anda pressure washers works everytime. If only lighlty dirty I use some thorw away rags and windex, then spray some amour all around, close hood, let run for about 5 minutes, open, wipe.

[powers1]

Originally Posted by X5Jay

Damp rag, dry rag, a little Zaino here & there. If you do this fairly often, you don't have to worry about getting the engine bay too wet.

Same here!Been doing this on my bimmers for +18 years.

[rebound]

Don't ever steam clean an engine. The steam will travel inside the electronic connectors, condense, and then wreak havoc!

[White05X3]

What I usually do is take some 409 or Simple Green and spray it on the accumulated gunk on the sides and rinse lightly with just a tiny bit of water. The rest I wipe with a damp towel. I avoid putting anything on the plastic because most shiny stuff attracts dust and grime.

Just wipe everything quickly after you wash the car and it will never get that bad.