Safest way to clean and degrease engine bay?

[Leothelion092]

Thanks for the help guys


Upper radiator hose blew a week ago and covered the whole engine bay with dried up coolant. It's also extremely dusty and dirty. I've replaced the upper hose, expansion tank, and have the thermostat, water pump, and lower hose on its way in the mail. After I replace the rest of those items, I plan on doing a complete engine bay and interior hood degrease and clean. I've been watching a lot of YouTube channels but specifically for E 46 what is the safest way and best results to clean the engine bay and the engine and all other components.

[Bairdogg]

Carefully.

In seriousness, cover electronics (wire harness, cool packs, spark plugs and leads, anything you are questionable about, better safe than sorry) with plastic bags and rubber bands or zipties to hold them on. Use a garden hose with medium pressure, no strong jet, to avoid forcing water anywhere. Use 1/4 all purpose cleaner concentration and water (Meguiars sells great stuff by the gallon for around $30. Lasts forever). Use a brush and a toothbrush, let soak, hose off. Use a cloth to dry anything that might get water spots (aluminum, hoses). I like Back To Black on a rag to polish it up.

Done it that way a few times on customers cars and always had good feedback. Any questions or anything unclear, just ask.


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[flyfishvt]

Back to black is great stuff.

[Mklock]

Purple power and a pressure washer is what I use lol.

[Onizukachan]

Scrubbin bubbles works.
So does simple green and a toothbrush.

[Eaglesail]

After all that, jack the front, or drive up ramps, and remove the 2 plastic underbody pans...and clean them too!.....Hint...next time you change oil (and you have to remove the pan, or pans to do so, you may better see where, how frequent, and detect where oil is leaking from)....Just saying.