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Engine bay cleaning
Posted: Tue Jul 24, 2012 8:11 am
by dirtymonkey29
Probably one for Raj... What's the best method for cleaning the engine bay? Don't want to drown and break anything.
Re: Engine bay cleaning
Posted: Tue Jul 24, 2012 11:11 am
by X5Sport
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!!
Re: Engine bay cleaning
Posted: Tue Jul 24, 2012 12:06 pm
by Raj
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.
Re: Engine bay cleaning
Posted: Tue Jul 24, 2012 12:35 pm
by 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...

)
Re: Engine bay cleaning
Posted: Tue Jul 24, 2012 12:44 pm
by Raj
[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.
Engine bay cleaning
Posted: Tue Jul 24, 2012 4:47 pm
by dirtymonkey29
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
Engine bay cleaning
Posted: Tue Jul 24, 2012 8:36 pm
by dirtymonkey29
Re: Engine bay cleaning
Posted: Tue Jul 24, 2012 9:18 pm
by X5Sport
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...

Engine bay cleaning
Posted: Tue Jul 24, 2012 9:41 pm
by dirtymonkey29
Think I may see if that offer will be extended or repeated.
Re: Engine bay cleaning
Posted: Tue Jul 24, 2012 9:52 pm
by Raj
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
Re: Engine bay cleaning
Posted: Tue Jul 24, 2012 9:54 pm
by Raj
[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.
Engine bay cleaning
Posted: Tue Jul 24, 2012 10:09 pm
by dirtymonkey29
Will do
Re: Engine bay cleaning
Posted: Thu Jul 26, 2012 4:22 pm
by jaynana
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?
Re: Engine bay cleaning
Posted: Thu Jul 26, 2012 4:53 pm
by X5Sport
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
Re: Engine bay cleaning
Posted: Thu Jul 26, 2012 9:48 pm
by AW8
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.