Not joined yet? Register for free and enjoy features such as alerts, private messaging and viewing latest posts and topics.

Cleaning the engine bay

General Discussion for X3 (F25) models go here.
Post Reply
User avatar
Pinewood
Member
Member
Posts: 414
Joined: Thu Feb 11, 2016 11:09 pm
Location: Londonium

Cleaning the engine bay

Post by Pinewood » Sun Apr 24, 2016 10:30 am

As above,  what's the best way to clean this often neglected area and keep it looking great?
F25 x30d M Sport Lci. Prof Media/Nav, adaptive xenons,ext storage,lights package, 19" Staggered 622M alloys.

User avatar
Pinewood
Member
Member
Posts: 414
Joined: Thu Feb 11, 2016 11:09 pm
Location: Londonium

Re: Cleaning the engine bay

Post by Pinewood » Sat Apr 30, 2016 1:11 am

No one bothers to clean the area under the bonnet?
F25 x30d M Sport Lci. Prof Media/Nav, adaptive xenons,ext storage,lights package, 19" Staggered 622M alloys.

User avatar
Richard137
Member
Member
Posts: 240
Joined: Sun Feb 14, 2016 5:48 pm
Location: Rochdale

Re: Cleaning the engine bay

Post by Richard137 » Sat Apr 30, 2016 8:44 am

I get mine steam cleaned at local wash shop, but I make sure they're aware how precious the cargo is.
2006 BMW E53 Titanium Silver (Facelift)
Remapped
LED Angel Eyes
LED Reverse Lights
B-Pillars Wrapped in Carbon Black
Rear Wiper E70 Conversion
Winter Wheels (18" 255/55).

------ To Do ------
CREE Driving light set.
Steering wheel to be Carbon Wrapped.
Running Boards to be polished.

User avatar
jonsteele
Member
Member
Posts: 65
Joined: Fri Dec 11, 2015 4:32 pm
Location: Halifax

Re: Cleaning the engine bay

Post by jonsteele » Sat Apr 30, 2016 10:25 am

Whenever I've cleaned the engine and bay I've given it a light spray of degreaser (Gunk etc), a quick brush to loosen up the grime, and then used a pressure washer carefully.  I have the engine running whilst using the pressure washer and take care not to get too close to the alternator.


Sent from the dark side by the power of the force!!

User avatar
f4780y
Newbie
Newbie
Posts: 16
Joined: Fri May 29, 2015 8:29 am
Location: Troon, Scotland

Re: Cleaning the engine bay

Post by f4780y » Sun May 01, 2016 9:01 pm

For me it's a good circus based APC diluted to about 4:1, followed by an application of CarPro PERL.
F26 X4 xDrive35d M Sport N57 | Sophisto Grey Xirallic | Mocha Nevada with X Embossing | 20" 310Ms | Sports Plus Package | Media Package Professional | Adaptive LEDs | Harman Kardon | EDC | Driving Assistant Plus | Surround View | Speed Limit Display | HUD | Sunroof

User avatar
Pinewood
Member
Member
Posts: 414
Joined: Thu Feb 11, 2016 11:09 pm
Location: Londonium

Re: Cleaning the engine bay

Post by Pinewood » Mon May 02, 2016 11:03 am

So i tried cleaning it by hand which was laborious, but it has come up a treat. Next time i will use a degreaser and carefully hose it down.  Just not brave enough to use the karcher on it.
F25 x30d M Sport Lci. Prof Media/Nav, adaptive xenons,ext storage,lights package, 19" Staggered 622M alloys.

User avatar
chubbs
Member
Member
Posts: 127
Joined: Tue Mar 01, 2016 8:49 am
Location: Herts

Re: Cleaning the engine bay

Post by chubbs » Mon May 02, 2016 11:35 am

[quote="f4780y"]
For me it's a good circus based APC diluted to about 4:1...
[/quote]

Is that the one with the big top? Just clowning around :)

I just cleaned mine by hand, with a damp cloth & washing up liquid - it's not hard.

One top tip is that I used Hammerite black paint (hammered finish) on the metalwork that comes into contact with the rubber seal of the bonnet lid and it looks great - cleaned up an area that was looking a bit rusty and matched really well.
Image

MattX
Member
Member
Posts: 136
Joined: Sun Oct 11, 2015 6:20 pm

Re: Cleaning the engine bay

Post by MattX » Thu May 26, 2016 8:42 am

I used to clean my e46 330 engine by covering it in engine de greaser  (meguires) giving it a good agitation with a detailing brief then hosing off with a pressure washer.
I'd dry it out by running the emgine then dress it with 303 aeorspace protectant

robertsskippyj
Newbie
Newbie
Posts: 3
Joined: Sat Jul 02, 2016 9:58 pm

Re: Cleaning the engine bay

Post by robertsskippyj » Sat Jul 02, 2016 10:19 pm

Dodo juice crudzilla is an excellent product for stuff like that. 

MattX
Member
Member
Posts: 136
Joined: Sun Oct 11, 2015 6:20 pm

Re: Cleaning the engine bay

Post by MattX » Mon Jul 04, 2016 7:56 am

[quote="robertsskippyj"]
Dodo juice crudzilla is an excellent product for stuff like that.
[/quote]

I was thinking of getting some of this for pre cleaning the lower half of the car.  Any good?

robertsskippyj
Newbie
Newbie
Posts: 3
Joined: Sat Jul 02, 2016 9:58 pm

Re: Cleaning the engine bay

Post by robertsskippyj » Mon Jul 04, 2016 10:32 am

[quote="MattX"]
[quote="robertsskippyj"]
Dodo juice crudzilla is an excellent product for stuff like that.
[/quote]

I was thinking of getting some of this for pre cleaning the lower half of the car.  Any good?
[/quote]

Best stuff I've ever used.  Just a warning though unlike most of there products this one will strip your wax finish off as well, but a really good cleaner.  I've always been impressed with there products the colour changing alloy wheel cleaner is the best I've ever used to.

User avatar
pvr
Lifer
Lifer
Posts: 5254
Joined: Fri Jul 30, 2010 5:13 pm
Location: West Sussex

Re: Cleaning the engine bay

Post by pvr » Tue Jul 05, 2016 2:21 pm

I moved away from the high pressure hose years ago with the engines being a little more sensitive to the water nowadays.

After whatever product you put on it, I use a very low pressure spray in a container to get very targeted water jets.
X5M F85,  Golf Clipper, Abarth 595 Competizioni, Jeep

911 50th anniversary -
Site & Forum Admin Team Member.

Post Reply