Originally Posted by PersonaNonGrata (Post 799281)

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. :bawling:

Originally Posted by flyingmachine (Post 799262)

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..

Originally Posted by 1stE53 (Post 799591)

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.