Engine bay cleaning

dirtymonkey29 · Post by **dirtymonkey29** » Tue Jul 24, 2012 8:11 am

Probably one for Raj... What's the best method for cleaning the engine bay? Don't want to drown and break anything.

X5Sport · Post by **X5Sport** » Tue Jul 24, 2012 11:11 am

On the odd occasions when I have done it, I used something like this Autoglym product and made sure everything was cold, all the air intakes, electrics, air con vents etc were protected with a bit of soft rag etc to keep water at bay and then used a jet wash on full pressure but with the nozzle held well clear so that then engine gets hit by a 'mist' rather than a full on pressure jet.

In the good old days the boys in the workshop used to use a steam cleaner, but I'm not sure modern cars will put up with that, although some pressure washers will allow a hot water feed as long as it's less than about 70C. Again, I would use with care!!

Raj · Post by **Raj** » Tue Jul 24, 2012 12:06 pm

Tbh I hate engine bay cleaning and try to avoid it at all costs....lol.

But if you are going to tackle it, then foil cover any key electrical components. Then spray some diluted APC on and agitate with some soft brushes. Start the engine and rinse off with an open hose. Dry it off and dress it with something like aerospace 303.

X5Sport · Post by **X5Sport** » Tue Jul 24, 2012 12:35 pm

[quote="Raj"]
Tbh I hate engine bay cleaning and try to avoid it at all costs....lol. [/quote]

LOL if you don't open the bonnet no one will ever know...

)

Raj · Post by **Raj** » Tue Jul 24, 2012 12:44 pm

[quote="X5Sport"]
[quote="Raj"]
Tbh I hate engine bay cleaning and try to avoid it at all costs....lol. [/quote]

LOL if you don't open the bonnet no one will ever know...

)
[/quote]

Exactly my point....pmsl.

dirtymonkey29 · Post by **dirtymonkey29** » Tue Jul 24, 2012 4:47 pm

Will probably leave it or do it with rags and elbow grease. Want it looking it's best for any potential buyers.
Gonna test my new snow foam lance later on the outside and fit the new buttons I've received from kev610

dirtymonkey29 · Post by **dirtymonkey29** » Tue Jul 24, 2012 8:36 pm

Outside cleaned.....snow foam is awesome!!! Only had a pre wash with it and left it to work while I did the alloys twice, before rinsing down and washing properly with triple wax using 2 bucket method and rinsing off again and drying off with a microfibre cloth. Looks a million times better and I've not even done the glass or removed the tar spots.

X5Sport · Post by **X5Sport** » Tue Jul 24, 2012 9:18 pm

I'm a recent convert to snow foam myself so I can attest to its benefits too........and there's something oddly satisfying in burying you car in a layer of foam..... :-[

Add a DI Vessel in to the final clean process and the effects are very satisfying....especially with the diluted lava the TDS Meter says I have coming out of the tap here...

dirtymonkey29 · Post by **dirtymonkey29** » Tue Jul 24, 2012 9:41 pm

Think I may see if that offer will be extended or repeated.

Raj · Post by **Raj** » Tue Jul 24, 2012 9:52 pm

Does come up a treat. I do love snow foam too. Been using it for a few years now and does really help.

And as above, even my neighbours comment on watching the X5 when it's got a layer of snowfoam on it...lol

Raj · Post by **Raj** » Tue Jul 24, 2012 9:54 pm

[quote="dirtymonkey29"]
Think I may see if that offer will be extended or repeated.
[/quote]

Give Doug a call and ask if he will let you have one for the same group buy price. No harm in asking.

dirtymonkey29 · Post by **dirtymonkey29** » Tue Jul 24, 2012 10:09 pm

Will do

jaynana · Post by **jaynana** » Thu Jul 26, 2012 4:22 pm

i like my engine super clean. i care less about the outside really. hehehe

i use a pressure washer but ensure that i don't directly spray onto electronics incl the HIDs, air inlets etc. so far its been ok.

in the past i've had offroaders which could manage a full bath even submerged but not so sure about the X with all its electronics, so really nervous and careful!

what the hell is snowform btw?

X5Sport · Post by **X5Sport** » Thu Jul 26, 2012 4:53 pm

It means doing this You Tube video example to your car.......gets all the loose surface dirt and grit off. Then jet wash off and you're ready for the 2 Bucket Clean..

Richard

AW8 · Post by **AW8** » Thu Jul 26, 2012 9:48 pm

Despite car I have had problems spraying hoses/PW's on other cars in past so I tend to use cloths, WD40, Degreaser, APC maybe a small spray bottle with water etc............

Not worth risk of a non start or poor running moment IMO.

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