Cleaning X5 (E53) Engine Compartment

[crasshh]

Originally Posted by PersonaNonGrata

Check out our Detailing Forum and the forum sponsor Detailer's Domain. Phil has numerous posts showing him cleaning the engine bays of all kinds of high end cars, including BMW.

The way he gets the filthy engine bays clean will make you want to cry when you compare to yours. I know I feel that way.

Do you have a link to this posting. Pictures would be helpful

[crasshh]

Originally Posted by flyingmachine

never done it on x but did it twice on m.

I didn't use pressure washer. was told to avoid it. I used engine degreaser. lightly warm up the engine first. don't make it hot. just warm enough for degreaser to act faster.

then shut off engine. cover the electronic parts as much as I could. wrap with paper towl or food plastic wrap first and then wrap again with aluminum foil(stole all those from my wife's kitchen). cover things like xenon ballast, electronic connectors, alternator, ...etc. spray the degreaser and let it sit 10-15 mins. you can lightly brush some seriously greasy spots while you're waiting.

then just hose down the degreaser with water. if your water source is well water and it's usually cold, you should consider using bucket with warm water.

once done, wipe excess water and start engine to warm up engine. remember to remove those aluminum foil..

Do you have any pictures describing of what to cover?

[crasshh]

Here is a picture of a what to cover but not on a X5. A picture of an X5 would really be great....

[jst2878]

just make sure to keep the motor running so the alternator wont get flooded

[chefwong]

I've done it tons of times.....

Low Pressure Hose, High Pressure Pressure washer.

I rinse, degrease with APC of choice, hose off and just a mild dressing ontop.
No issues with needing to covering anything as long as you are moving the *wand-nozzle* and not flooding anything.

The ONLY thing I do try to stay clear of or keep minimal overspray is the back of the headlights area..

[crasshh]

I beleive I will go the safest way since electrical issues with the X5 are a costly pain.

Why take the risk. Common sense says electricity, wires, and water is not a healthy mix for your investment.

I think i will go the old fashioned tedious way of spray and wipe clean, then dress it up after. When the weather clears this will be my Sat project.
Will take pics when i dig out from 12 inches of snow first.

[1stE53]

I use a cleaner from P21s to do a deep clean once a year. I wipe down the engine bay every time I was the car. Easy upkeep once the initial cleaning is done.
With as much water that enters the engine bay during hard rain and interstate driving, I don't see how a low pressure 'rain' setting could hurt anything. I do ensure my engine is warm and then drive it for a while after the deep cleaning.

[crasshh]

Originally Posted by 1stE53

I use a cleaner from P21s to do a deep clean once a year. I wipe down the engine bay every time I was the car. Easy upkeep once the initial cleaning is done.
With as much water that enters the engine bay during hard rain and interstate driving, I don't see how a low pressure 'rain' setting could hurt anything. I do ensure my engine is warm and then drive it for a while after the deep cleaning.

I hear you there, but the top of the engine compartment where all the electric components are located do not actually get wet due to the hoods close proximity. I'm also a little worried about the alternator as well.

I was thinking of covering the sensitive parts with foil, but need to know which ones to cover before I go the degresser route.

[Wayne's World]

I use Castrol SuperClean. Really powerful stuff to get the heavy grease/oil off the block. I've done this a bunch of times on the X. I put an old towel around the alternator then put a plastic shopping bag over it. That's it. I either use my garden hose or a steam wand at the local DIY car wash. Soaking with degreaser for a while (1hr) will help big time.

[xxxxxman]

IMO, Simple Green is a superior engine cleaner and not as caustic on parts. It makes the aluminum and rubber parts look great. You have to spray it on, let it sit, wash it off, and then wait for it to dry. It seems to keep working on grease after it dries.

At first you will spray it on, and think it isn't working. I don't know how else to explain it.