help cleaning engine bay??

[jefiddler]

I was wondering what you guys use to clean your engine bay. Mine is really dusty and I would like to clean it. Can I use a vinyl cleaner on the plastic engine coverings? Is it safe? Any tips or comments? Thanks

Jim Eagan
97 328is 65k:beer:

[G. P. Burdell]

I'd avoid using silicone-based products like Armor All.

I just use a wet rag to wipe everything down.

[Ben Carufel]

Jim Powell has done the best write-up that I've seen...

http://www.apexcone.com/TechProcedures/EngineBayCleaning/ArmorAll.html

[Hank]

(or at least the one he found out about and passed it on..) Works Great! I did it about 2 months ago and it still looks GREAT!

Hank

[dave162]

I recently used AutoGlym 'Engine & Machine Cleaner'. It did a fairly good job considering the engine bay has never been cleaned for ten years.

http://www.autoglym.com

They also have a writeup on engine washes on their site.

[XOC]

Okay, so you obviously need to remove the air filter and seal off the intake with plastic or something. Any other parts of the engine that need to be protected from all that water and stuff?

[Bozo325]

I use Jim Powells method too.. works great.. looks nice.
On my E30.. there's really nothing to block off or remove.

When I put my cone air filter on... that will change.

[PBalla]

pic bozo?

btw, sig should be 18 years new now :)

[Ben Carufel]

Originally posted by Pharshballa
pic bozo?

btw, sig should be 18 years new now :)

Dude, that was over 6 months ago...

[moonluv810]

http://www.bimmerforums.com/forum/showthread.php?s=&postid=693633#post693633

http://members.cox.net/silverm3/images/Engine1.jpg

http://members.cox.net/silverm3/images/Engine2.jpg

http://members.cox.net/silverm3/images/Engine4.jpg

[NoSoup4U]

Damn moonluv --

You know you can't just post pictures and not disclose how you actually got it to that condition ....

Tell the truth .... sonic air toothbrush? :D

[JoeZ]

Not as clean as moonluv810's but I'm pleased with my results. When I bought my car the valve cover had plenty of oil stains and dust. I did a couple sessions w/ Gunk and then some serious hand scrubbing w/ Fantastic (or some other grease remover) and finally some polishing w/ Mother's aluminum polish. On the rubber/plastic I've used armor all/black magic to get some shine. I've got 55k miles and I'm pretty confident that if I keep at it I'll be able to keep the same shine at 155k:)

http://members.roadfly.com/pilsungny/CF%20under%20the%20hood2.jpg

[JoeZ]

Oh, BTW........anyone got any tips for cleaning up my radiator cover:dunno That's the one spot that I just can't get right.

[MojoMoto]

I like Eimann Fabrik Citrus Engine Degreaser (http://www.properautocare.com/ci-d32.html) for getting the grease and gunk out and 303 Aerospace Protectant (http://www.properautocare.com/303-16.html) for dressing the plasitc surfaces and hoses.

[MojoMoto]

...

[MojoMoto]

Still needs a little more cleaning - but much better than before.

[JoeZ]

:eek::eek:

MojoMoto, that's quite an improvement! Looks great to me, I can't see anywhere it still needs work.

[MojoMoto]

There are a few spots in the engine bay that still have some crud in them - just not visible in the photo.