[Ajax915]

How should I keep my engine bay clean? Spray degreaser and rinse it with water? Only use water?... I live in an area where there's always dirt

[imfritz328i]

The last time I used degreaser and spayed with water my dash lit up like a christmas tree with error codes. After I let it dry out in the sun and used a leaf blower to dry it out it was fine but i wont do that again. Sooo dont do it. Or cover all connections you can find with something and hope for the best.

[328iX]

I've washed the engine bay of every car I had without issue, guess the answer varies. I never cover anything as well but try to stay away from the fuse box.

[Ajax915]

Originally Posted by 328iX

I've washed the engine bay of every car I had without issue, guess the answer varies. I never cover anything as well but try to stay away from the fuse box.

I've washed it once too and nothing happened, rn it's real dirty lol

[328iX]

Originally Posted by Ajax915

I've washed it once too and nothing happened, rn it's real dirty lol

I'd just hit it again lol

[capt_slow]

I have done this on my old F30 with the N26/N20 engine.

1. Cover all electrical connectors, alternator, and oil cooler with plastic bags
2. Using a hose with an attachment, spray the engine compartment at the widest spray pattern
3. Spray a solution of car wash soap and water and use a brush to agitate dirty area
4. Use to hose to rinse
5. Remove the bags and run the engine hot for a while

Needless to say, I experimented on this technique with a loaner F30 first befroe trying it on my own car.

[328iX]

Originally Posted by capt_slow

I have done this on my old F30 with the N26/N20 engine.

1. Cover all electrical connectors, alternator, and oil cooler with plastic bags
2. Using a hose with an attachment, spray the engine compartment at the widest spray pattern
3. Spray a solution of car wash soap and water and use a brush to agitate dirty area
4. Use to hose to rinse
5. Remove the bags and run the engine hot for a while

Needless to say, I experimented on this technique with a loaner F30 first befroe trying it on my own car.

Curious why you'd cover the oil cooler?

[Phoenix704]

I haven't had any issues using a standard hose sprayer on my engine. Just make sure that it's relatively cool and don't directly soak anything electronic. I usually use a towel or airgun to dry it off. Aside from minor initial belt squeak as it dries, I haven't had any issues.

[DickBlisken]

Wow, directly hosing down the engine bay seems sketchy at best. I always thought people detailed their engine bays by hand.

[chowser51]

I haven't hosed off the engine bay at all, I just use a damp rag and wipe stuff down.

At work, our maintenance guy just hoses down the engine compartment of our police cars!

[DickBlisken]

Originally Posted by chowser51

I haven't hosed off the engine bay at all, I just use a damp rag and wipe stuff down.

At work, our maintenance guy just hoses down the engine compartment of our police cars!

Something about a hose spraying directly into the engine bay just seems so wrong to me.

[Billfitz]

Next time you get home after driving in the rain open the hood. The engine compartment isn't at all water tight. What's inside it for the most part is.

[DickBlisken]

I get that, but surely there's a difference between spray from the wet road while driving and a direct shot from a hose nozzle, no?

[f30jay]

Originally Posted by DickBlisken

I get that, but surely there's a difference between spray from the wet road while driving and a direct shot from a hose nozzle, no?

its fine most connectors and such should be water proof... and just watch out for the air intake

[Phoenix704]

Originally Posted by DickBlisken

Wow, directly hosing down the engine bay seems sketchy at best. I always thought people detailed their engine bays by hand.

I've done it on the last 3 cars that I've owned and never had any issues.

I don't soak anything, just a quick spray to get the gunk off. Definitely don't want to be directing a jet nozzle at your ECU.

[Orion4]

For 20 years I use a spray engine form de-greaser on a cool engine bay. Let sit for 5-10 minutes, then spray clean with a water hose with nozzle on a medium wide spray. No issues on any of me cars in years. Now on my older cars with Points and Distributor- that"s a different story!!

[Billfitz]

Originally Posted by f30jay

its fine most connectors and such should be water proof... and just watch out for the air intake

The intake is tight. It pulls its air supply from the lower right grille near the right foglight. There's a weep hole to drain any water that makes its way up near the filter, but that's on the bottom of the intake. If you're concerned about where wiring is inserted into connectors give them a spritz with WD40.

[sspade]

I start with a dry vac of the obvious areas and then go to town with a damp microfiber and maybe some glass cleaner.

Spraying it down with the hose would probably be fine as long as you don't go crazy... I just haven't found the need.

[Pauloxxi]

Originally Posted by Orion4

For 20 years I use a spray engine form de-greaser on a cool engine bay. Let sit for 5-10 minutes, then spray clean with a water hose with nozzle on a medium wide spray. No issues on any of me cars in years. Now on my older cars with Points and Distributor- that"s a different story!!

Yes, I did that twice. and the first time was because the dealer did a dirty job to replace the cover gasket, they did not clean well the oil residual leak.
So I did the process you mentioned above... No drama, just be careful to not spray sensitive areas, like electrical connectors. Spray the foam de-greaser and 10 minutes after a good spray of water will do the job.

[delorean175]

Originally Posted by imfritz328i

The last time I used degreaser and spayed with water my dash lit up like a christmas tree with error codes. After I let it dry out in the sun and used a leaf blower to dry it out it was fine but i wont do that again. Sooo dont do it. Or cover all connections you can find with something and hope for the best.

I know exactly what you mean!!! haha My car does the exact same thing when I flushed my heater core. Something got wet and the car freaked out until it dried out. I managed to replicate the issue 3 separate times. haha

Originally Posted by Ajax915

How should I keep my engine bay clean? Spray degreaser and rinse it with water? Only use water?... I live in an area where there's always dirt

I usually lightly spray the shock towers and front area, pretty much the painted parts. Sometimes I use soap and a sponge also. The plastics can all be removed and cleaned separately if needed. The main thing is to try not to completely soak the engine, especially the ECU area. I've de-greased the front and sides of the engine with the hose on low pressure with zero issues. I learned early on the f30 doesn't seem to like having its engine bay drenched in water. haha

[Rebound]

I use an easily-found degreased called Purple Power. Wear gloves and glasses when you spray it.

It's best if engine is a little warm but NOT hot. Never put water on a hot (that is, fully warmed up) engine.

Remove the beauty cover. Wet engine (you don't need jet spray) then liberally spray on the purple power. Give it 10 to 15 minutes, then rinse. You can scrub stubborn areas, but usually that's the fluid reservoirs and I follow up with other cleaners and a towel.


Pointers:
Don't spray purple power on painted surfaces, although I've sprayed painted areas under hood without damage, it's a bad idea.

On N55 engine, if you get water into the Wells next to the spark plug wells, the water Won't come out until the engine gets hot and boils it out.

The oil filter housing is aluminum and it oxidizes. Purple power won't help much. It will get rid of oil drips but I don't know how to shine that aluminum.

The beauty cover and other plastic, like the tough to clean fluid reservoirs, can be wiped with Armor All or similar.

Here's my engine after six years and 50K mi

[jsanatx]

I used a hose with sprayer attachment to rinse it, used a brush on the really dirty areas, rinsed off the excess. Air dried it with a leaf blower and then went in again to dry it completely and wiped it with Black Magic (Chemical Guys). I only covered the alternator. That was a couple of months ago.