How to clean under the hood?

C-Dub7 · 07-20-2007, 01:15 PM

Anyone clean or wipe the engine and anything under the hood?

BK · 07-20-2007, 01:35 PM

I just wipe it off with a damp rag from time to time. My engine bay isn't the cleanest, but it looks pretty good.

Some people use chemical cleaners. If you go that route, do it on a cold engine. Our engines stay very hot for a long time.

normtrum · 07-20-2007, 02:13 PM

I wipe mine down with a damp rag every time I was it. Trying to keep it so I don't need to use chemicals.

C-Dub7 · 07-20-2007, 04:58 PM

Did you guys wipe everything or just the engine?

Weaselboy · 07-20-2007, 07:02 PM

I squirt some Simple Green on once in a while... let is soak a few minutes and rinse it off with a hose. Then wipe dry the surface areas.

sinnet112 · 07-22-2007, 12:36 AM

+1 on the Simple Green. Hose it down first, BMW does a nice job of keeping all electrical parts covered, including the battery, so this isn't so much of a problem. After it's damp, spray the Simple Green and let it sit for a few minutes. Hose it off again, and then you can dress it up with a variety of products, I use a citrus type spray. Good luck!

sapperelite · 07-22-2007, 06:53 AM

I asked this question about a month ago and was told it is never good to spray water directly on the engine. I may be paranoid but I don't think I would spray water under there. After each wash, I use a MF that I only use uner the hood to wipe down everything I can reach. I haven't found a problem with a buildup of dirt or dust because I wipe it down every couple days. One thing I have found is that every time I clean it, I end up cleaning areas I missed before.

pander5 · 07-22-2007, 08:46 PM

+2 on sinnets exact routine minus the citrus spray. I then dry everything I can get to. Sometimes I apply 303 to the plastics and rubber.

Nyulak · 07-22-2007, 08:58 PM

I use 303 under the hood, but I've only cleaned under the hood once. I don't know how habit forming it will be, since I really don't want to open the hood of my car for anything except adding windshield wiper fluid.

The battery in our cars are really well protected being that they are installed in the trunk. I'd imagine it would take an awful lot of water from the engine compartment to reach the trunk.

sinnet112 · 07-22-2007, 11:18 PM

One more thing...after you spray on Simple Green, use a toothbrush of some sort to get into the nooks and crannies of everything, and once it's dried off on it's own a little bit, start the engine and let the rest evaporate with the hood open, or you can use a leaf blower, but no matter what, let the car run after all's said and done.

I've tried it on a '92, with everything exposed, so I can vouch for the fact that your car won't die on you haha.

Still, do this at your own risk. Clean engine bays make it easier for mechanics, since they won't have to sludge around in grease and such while working.

This was a forum I used to be on for my first car (that's not my car below though), and a clean engine bay can honestly look quite nice.

92 Acura Legend

The citrus spray gives it a shine, whereas the Simple Green is just an engine degreaser.

533ogetnom · 07-23-2007, 12:26 AM

2 words, pressure washer

BigDog · 07-23-2007, 08:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 533ogetnom

2 words, pressure washer

meaning you just pop the hood, point the pressure washer directly and just fire away??

never thought you could just directly spray water on an engine but hrmmm

i may have to clean my engine bay...

pablotn · 07-23-2007, 11:17 AM

Simple Green in the past and does a pretty good job. Just have to make sure it is rinsed well. I little more expensive, but very good, is the P21S Total Auto Wash. Used this on my WRX bay early last year and did a fantastic job. Had areas of some build up and it was able to break it down nicely.

Just rinsed with a light to moderate spray, and did not have to scrub. Wiped down with a cotten rag.

Pablo

JIMD1709 · 07-23-2007, 12:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 533ogetnom

2 words, pressure washer

It is OK to use a hose under the hood, using just a gentle stream, then dry everything down. But, I would strongly advise against a pressure washer!! that is asking for trouble.

C-Dub7 · 07-23-2007, 12:53 PM

I am trying to buy simple green. is this the product?
http://consumer.simplegreen.com/cons_prod_pro.php

It's called simple green Max?

OC Guy · 07-23-2007, 02:16 PM

Meguiar's sells a product or two:

07-20-2007, 01:15 PM	#1
C-Dub7 Private First Class 5 Rep 112 Posts Drives: E92 Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Everywhere iTrader: (1)	How to clean under the hood? Anyone clean or wipe the engine and anything under the hood?
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07-20-2007, 01:35 PM	#2
BK Smiling politely 165 Rep 7,931 Posts Drives: 330i Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Washington DC iTrader: (0) Garage List 2006 330i [9.00]	I just wipe it off with a damp rag from time to time. My engine bay isn't the cleanest, but it looks pretty good. Some people use chemical cleaners. If you go that route, do it on a cold engine. Our engines stay very hot for a long time. __________________ E90 330i Black Sapphire 6MT \| 991.1 C4 Platinum Silver 7MT
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07-20-2007, 02:13 PM	#3
normtrum Colonel 52 Rep 2,225 Posts Drives: e90 335i, e46 330i Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: PNW iTrader: (1)	I wipe mine down with a damp rag every time I was it. Trying to keep it so I don't need to use chemicals.
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07-20-2007, 04:58 PM	#4
C-Dub7 Private First Class 5 Rep 112 Posts Drives: E92 Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Everywhere iTrader: (1)	Did you guys wipe everything or just the engine?
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07-20-2007, 07:02 PM	#5
Weaselboy Major 76 Rep 1,292 Posts Drives: 2024 M340i Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: California iTrader: (0)	I squirt some Simple Green on once in a while... let is soak a few minutes and rinse it off with a hose. Then wipe dry the surface areas.
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07-22-2007, 12:36 AM	#6
sinnet112 Major 30 Rep 1,118 Posts Drives: 2009 E89 Z4 Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: NJ iTrader: (1) Garage List 2007 335i Coupe [0.00] 2007 328xi Sedan [0.00]	+1 on the Simple Green. Hose it down first, BMW does a nice job of keeping all electrical parts covered, including the battery, so this isn't so much of a problem. After it's damp, spray the Simple Green and let it sit for a few minutes. Hose it off again, and then you can dress it up with a variety of products, I use a citrus type spray. Good luck! __________________ Z4 sdrive30i \| Deep Sea Blue \| Ivory White Nappa Extended Leather \| ZSP
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07-22-2007, 06:53 AM	#7
sapperelite Second Lieutenant 7 Rep 219 Posts Drives: 07 335XI, 03 Wrangler Sport Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Springfield, VA iTrader: (0)	I asked this question about a month ago and was told it is never good to spray water directly on the engine. I may be paranoid but I don't think I would spray water under there. After each wash, I use a MF that I only use uner the hood to wipe down everything I can reach. I haven't found a problem with a buildup of dirt or dust because I wipe it down every couple days. One thing I have found is that every time I clean it, I end up cleaning areas I missed before.
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07-22-2007, 08:46 PM	#8
pander5 Special Forces - Discretion is superior 31 Rep 1,011 Posts Drives: 335i Coupe Sapphire Black Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Tampa, FL iTrader: (0) Garage List 2007 335i Coupe [0.00]	+2 on sinnets exact routine minus the citrus spray. I then dry everything I can get to. Sometimes I apply 303 to the plastics and rubber. __________________ M3 + trailer hitch = oxymoron
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07-22-2007, 08:58 PM	#9
Nyulak Captain 29 Rep 957 Posts Drives: 2022 X3 M40i Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: SheffVill, OH iTrader: (4) Garage List 2009 BMW 535xi [10.00]	I use 303 under the hood, but I've only cleaned under the hood once. I don't know how habit forming it will be, since I really don't want to open the hood of my car for anything except adding windshield wiper fluid. The battery in our cars are really well protected being that they are installed in the trunk. I'd imagine it would take an awful lot of water from the engine compartment to reach the trunk.
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07-22-2007, 11:18 PM	#10
sinnet112 Major 30 Rep 1,118 Posts Drives: 2009 E89 Z4 Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: NJ iTrader: (1) Garage List 2007 335i Coupe [0.00] 2007 328xi Sedan [0.00]	One more thing...after you spray on Simple Green, use a toothbrush of some sort to get into the nooks and crannies of everything, and once it's dried off on it's own a little bit, start the engine and let the rest evaporate with the hood open, or you can use a leaf blower, but no matter what, let the car run after all's said and done. I've tried it on a '92, with everything exposed, so I can vouch for the fact that your car won't die on you haha. Still, do this at your own risk. Clean engine bays make it easier for mechanics, since they won't have to sludge around in grease and such while working. This was a forum I used to be on for my first car (that's not my car below though), and a clean engine bay can honestly look quite nice. 92 Acura Legend The citrus spray gives it a shine, whereas the Simple Green is just an engine degreaser. __________________ Z4 sdrive30i \| Deep Sea Blue \| Ivory White Nappa Extended Leather \| ZSP
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07-23-2007, 12:26 AM	#11
533ogetnom Banned 95 Rep 1,760 Posts Drives: 335coupe Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Florida iTrader: (1)	2 words, pressure washer
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07-23-2007, 11:17 AM	#13
pablotn New Member 0 Rep 17 Posts Drives: 2006 \\325i\\ Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Franklin, TN iTrader: (0)	I have used.. Simple Green in the past and does a pretty good job. Just have to make sure it is rinsed well. I little more expensive, but very good, is the P21S Total Auto Wash. Used this on my WRX bay early last year and did a fantastic job. Had areas of some build up and it was able to break it down nicely. Just rinsed with a light to moderate spray, and did not have to scrub. Wiped down with a cotten rag. Pablo
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07-23-2007, 12:53 PM	#15
C-Dub7 Private First Class 5 Rep 112 Posts Drives: E92 Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Everywhere iTrader: (1)	I am trying to buy simple green. is this the product? http://consumer.simplegreen.com/cons_prod_pro.php It's called simple green Max?
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07-23-2007, 02:16 PM	#16
OC Guy General 539 Rep 18,123 Posts Drives: AW 335D E90 Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Irvine/Aliso Viejo, CA iTrader: (9) Garage List 2007 335i [0.00]	Meguiar's sells a product or two: __________________ Current: 2010 Alpine White 335D LCI l 19" BBS LMs l KW V2 Coilovers l BMW Performance Grilles l MSport Front/Rear l Karbonwerke Trunk l F1 Pinnacle Tint 35% Former: E92 Space Grey 335i Latest pics
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