Engine bay cleaning question

ChrisK · 09-02-2013, 03:12 PM

I don't trust the wet the entire engine bay method.

1) I spot clean an area with a little car wash soap, lightly rinse the area, dry with my leaf blower. (Method for the strut towers)

2) I hand wipe down the other parts of the bay.

redpriest · 03-03-2016, 08:19 PM

Going to have to do this to get rid of all the Buttonwillow dust in my engine bay. Do you cover just the EDC connections? There are other electrical connections, what about those?

What about the alternator? I know it's way down there and mostly protected - you would have to intentionally spray at it to get it wet.

Apex Everything · 03-04-2016, 10:55 PM

I use AMMO Citrus AP Cleaner with a The Rag Company micro fiber.

Helmsman · 03-05-2016, 11:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by redpriest

Going to have to do this to get rid of all the Buttonwillow dust in my engine bay. Do you cover just the EDC connections? There are other electrical connections, what about those?

What about the alternator? I know it's way down there and mostly protected - you would have to intentionally spray at it to get it wet.

Did mine again today Red. Cover the EDC connectors briefly, also usually protect the light house covers to avoid moisture. Going easy with water hose, haven't used high pressure. Start up and idling a couple of minutes after just to steam off (and get rid of initial belt squeel). Done it plenty times without any issues.

Cheers

mazing M3 · 05-23-2016, 01:38 PM

Simply Green to degrease the engine. Lightly use a power washer. If you do not have one you can use a hose with a light spray. Dry engine bay spray it down with WD40. The WD40 bakes into all the rubber and plastic comes out great. Have been doing this for years on all the cars i have own. Never had a problem.

c0rehax · 05-23-2016, 11:35 PM

Nobody here steams their engine bays? I swear by that now compared to the rinse/scrub method.

dragonsi · 06-03-2016, 01:19 PM

Do not use a pressure washer. I just use a wet rag and wipe everything down, and then I like to use armor all vinyl protectant and spray a light layer, and leave it alone to saturate. Do not wipe the armor all off with a towel.

DavidZ · 07-07-2016, 11:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by c0rehax

Nobody here steams their engine bays? I swear by that now compared to the rinse/scrub method.

I thought about steam cleaning my engine bay but read the pressure of the steam can force moisture into places water wouldn't normally get into (like the electrical connectors). Are you careful with the steam in these areas or just have at it?

c0rehax · 07-11-2016, 12:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DavidZ

I thought about steam cleaning my engine bay but read the pressure of the steam can force moisture into places water wouldn't normally get into (like the electrical connectors). Are you careful with the steam in these areas or just have at it?

I haven't had issues like that but i am careful when i do it

jester17 · 08-22-2016, 09:54 PM

Any chance someone could upload a shot of where the EDC module is?

jester17 · 08-25-2016, 08:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jester17

Any chance someone could upload a shot of where the EDC module is?

Bump! Anyone? Please?

elim11 · 08-25-2016, 11:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jester17

Bump! Anyone? Please?

on top of the struts. there is typically a plastic dome cover over it.

Helmsman · 08-26-2016, 09:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jester17

Any chance someone could upload a shot of where the EDC module is?

The actual control module is behind the trim on the right side of the boot. There are pictures to google if you're looking for more details. Why mate?

jester17 · 08-26-2016, 10:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Helmsman

The actual control module is behind the trim on the right side of the boot. There are pictures to google if you're looking for more details. Why mate?

Thinking about cleaning the engine bay myself, and have read here that I should cover it before doing so... but are you sure it's in the boot/trunk? Seems like I found it just where elim11 stated...?

admranger · 08-26-2016, 11:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rjd598

Insert "she handles the hose well" joke here. Nice work though. I need to get one of those long handled boars hair brushes.

Bx Tpr · 08-27-2016, 04:48 AM

When engine is fully warm and running I mist it with water. Then spray it with a water/degreaser mix all over. Close the hood for a minute or two then mist to rinse the degreaser off. Never had an issue doing it this way for years on all my cars. Keeps the engine bay nice and clean without the extra shiny stuff that attracts dirt.

Helmsman · 08-27-2016, 10:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jester17

Thinking about cleaning the engine bay myself, and have read here that I should cover it before doing so... but are you sure it's in the boot/trunk? Seems like I found it just where elim11 stated...?

Ah, missed you there mate. You obviously mean the EDC connectors, those are...on top of the EDC dampers/struts. The black plastic "dome" do cover the connector quite well as is but being OCD I personally go easy on them with water hence cover them slightly.

tenman · 08-28-2016, 11:05 AM

I would use steam to safely clean the engine bay.

WingZeroX5 · 08-28-2016, 08:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tenman

I would use steam to safely clean the engine bay.

+1

Steam and simple green diluted. With some scrubbing at caked on spots

WingZeroX5 · 08-28-2016, 09:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tenman

I would use steam to safely clean the engine bay.

+1

Steam and simple green diluted. With some scrubbing at caked on spots

su_root · 08-30-2016, 06:52 AM

I love engine bay detailing.

I go through mine every 10k or so to cut down on how much scrubbing and washing I need to do. That said my process is simple.

-Cool down engine
-Spray down with water to rinse off loose dirt, sand and debris
-Spray McKees 57 Engine degreaser liberally.
- Use small brushes to agitate the extra dirty areas.
-Rinse off engine
-Repeat last two steps if necessary
-Hand dry with old microfiber towels
-Detail with either McKees 57 Trim detailer(aerosol based, great if you like that shiny look)

Or if prefer a deep black but matte(aka not so shiny) I'll mix 10:1 of Distilled water with CarPro Perl, which is water based, and spray liberally.

Either product works, more recently I've been a fan of the CarPro Perl for the finishing touch. Keep its nice and black but not shiny. Very factory like. Looks clean but not soo shiny that it looks like you're trying to cover something up.

I also use 1:1 CarPro Perl on my tires as a dressing. Very nice matte finish and keeps the rubber looking fresh. I clean the tires with Griotts Rubber Cleaner and a brush to prep the tire for CarPro Perl

09-02-2013, 03:12 PM	#23
ChrisK Major General 4449 Rep 7,594 Posts Drives: '19 M2C Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Chicagoland iTrader: (7) Garage List 2019 BMW M2C [7.00] 2015 Porsche Macan S [0.00]	I don't trust the wet the entire engine bay method. 1) I spot clean an area with a little car wash soap, lightly rinse the area, dry with my leaf blower. (Method for the strut towers) 2) I hand wipe down the other parts of the bay. __________________ www.ReTuneTheDeTune.com 2019 M2 Competition (Sunset Orange)
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03-03-2016, 08:19 PM	#24
redpriest Colonel 2146 Rep 2,527 Posts Drives: 2011 M3/Porsche 992 GT3RS Join Date: Apr 2014 Location: Bay Area, CA iTrader: (0) Garage List 2024 Porsche 911 GT3RS [0.00] 2021 Porsche 718 Sp ... [0.00] 2021 Mazda Miata MX-5 [0.00] 2006 BMW M3 [0.00] 2011 BMW M3 [10.00]	Going to have to do this to get rid of all the Buttonwillow dust in my engine bay. Do you cover just the EDC connections? There are other electrical connections, what about those? What about the alternator? I know it's way down there and mostly protected - you would have to intentionally spray at it to get it wet. __________________ '06 BMW M3 ZCP 6MT \| JRZ RS Pro + Hyperco 650/750 \| Epic Tune \| Brembo 355mm BBK \| too many to list '11 BMW M3 ZCP DCT \| Akra Evolution \| Eventuri intake \| MCS 3-way \| 4.6L Carbahn S65 \| Zebulon Aero \| AP Racing Radi-CAL BBK by Essex \| 305/645-18 Pirelli DHB Porsche 992 GT3, 991.2 GT3RS, 718 Spyder instagram.com/titomanlio
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03-04-2016, 10:55 PM	#25
Apex Everything Banned 190 Rep 462 Posts Drives: M3 Join Date: Nov 2015 Location: A place iTrader: (3)	I use AMMO Citrus AP Cleaner with a The Rag Company micro fiber.
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05-23-2016, 01:38 PM	#27
mazing M3 Private First Class 16 Rep 130 Posts Drives: E93 M3 Join Date: Nov 2014 Location: Mass iTrader: (0)	Simply Green to degrease the engine. Lightly use a power washer. If you do not have one you can use a hose with a light spray. Dry engine bay spray it down with WD40. The WD40 bakes into all the rubber and plastic comes out great. Have been doing this for years on all the cars i have own. Never had a problem.
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05-23-2016, 11:35 PM	#28
c0rehax Second Lieutenant 38 Rep 218 Posts Drives: f87 m2 Join Date: Feb 2015 Location: 831 iTrader: (13)	Nobody here steams their engine bays? I swear by that now compared to the rinse/scrub method.
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06-03-2016, 01:19 PM	#29
dragonsi Second Lieutenant 66 Rep 249 Posts Drives: 2008 M3 Join Date: May 2013 Location: IL iTrader: (2)	Do not use a pressure washer. I just use a wet rag and wipe everything down, and then I like to use armor all vinyl protectant and spray a light layer, and leave it alone to saturate. Do not wipe the armor all off with a towel.
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08-22-2016, 09:54 PM	#32
jester17 First Lieutenant 50 Rep 323 Posts Drives: 2009 E93 M Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Elizabethtown, PA iTrader: (0) Garage List 2009 BMW M3 [0.00]	Any chance someone could upload a shot of where the EDC module is?
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08-27-2016, 04:48 AM	#38
Bx Tpr Captain 123 Rep 891 Posts Drives: 23 CSL Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: NY iTrader: (8)	When engine is fully warm and running I mist it with water. Then spray it with a water/degreaser mix all over. Close the hood for a minute or two then mist to rinse the degreaser off. Never had an issue doing it this way for years on all my cars. Keeps the engine bay nice and clean without the extra shiny stuff that attracts dirt.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

08-28-2016, 11:05 AM	#40
tenman Second Lieutenant 88 Rep 229 Posts Drives: E90 M3 Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Atlanta, GA iTrader: (2)	I would use steam to safely clean the engine bay.
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08-30-2016, 06:52 AM	#43
su_root Lieutenant 168 Rep 405 Posts Drives: E92 M3 Join Date: Jan 2016 Location: CFL iTrader: (0)	I love engine bay detailing. I go through mine every 10k or so to cut down on how much scrubbing and washing I need to do. That said my process is simple. -Cool down engine -Spray down with water to rinse off loose dirt, sand and debris -Spray McKees 57 Engine degreaser liberally. - Use small brushes to agitate the extra dirty areas. -Rinse off engine -Repeat last two steps if necessary -Hand dry with old microfiber towels -Detail with either McKees 57 Trim detailer(aerosol based, great if you like that shiny look) Or if prefer a deep black but matte(aka not so shiny) I'll mix 10:1 of Distilled water with CarPro Perl, which is water based, and spray liberally. Either product works, more recently I've been a fan of the CarPro Perl for the finishing touch. Keep its nice and black but not shiny. Very factory like. Looks clean but not soo shiny that it looks like you're trying to cover something up. I also use 1:1 CarPro Perl on my tires as a dressing. Very nice matte finish and keeps the rubber looking fresh. I clean the tires with Griotts Rubber Cleaner and a brush to prep the tire for CarPro Perl
	Appreciate 0 Quote