Engine Compartment Question

BMWZ4 · 06-01-2011, 02:22 PM

Just back from the cottage, dirt roads etc. My engine compartment is really dirty and wondering if I can simply take a hose to it, to clean it up a bit; not a pressure washer, just a regular hose and even then, would only use the "shower" setting on the nozzle.

Worried about shorting something out or ruining something in the compartment.

Any feedback?

Itchywasabi · 06-01-2011, 03:56 PM

Dont use a hose, just dampen an old cloth and wipe away those dirt.

BMWZ4 · 06-01-2011, 04:49 PM

Thanks. Actually a cloth may not cut it as there is quite a bit of dirt & sand. I'll figure something out.

Radioactive · 06-01-2011, 05:23 PM

You can spray it down, just don't soak the electrical areas.

BMWZ4 · 06-01-2011, 06:43 PM

Thanks for that Radioactive. I'll give it a shot & I'll definitely be careful where I spray the water. Thanks.

frankwin · 06-01-2011, 08:33 PM

I noticed that the protection is really different then my previous car and the engine is easily getting dirty.

MA78 · 06-01-2011, 08:53 PM

You can use a hose or a pressure washer without damaging anything. I do it all the time.

Bimar · 06-02-2011, 01:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MA78

You can use a hose or a pressure washer without damaging anything. I do it all the time.

You are playing Russian roulette with your car

MA78 · 06-02-2011, 02:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by inamik75

Quote:

Originally Posted by MA78

You can use a hose or a pressure washer without damaging anything. I do it all the time.

You are playing Russian roulette with your car

I'm really not. Have you ever seen how a professional detailer cleans an engine bay? YouTube it.

Radioactive · 06-02-2011, 02:57 PM

I've been washing engines off for over 40 years, on all kinds of cars. In fact before the "environmental days" we would soak them in Gunk Off and power wash them. In all that time I had only one problem. Water got in the old type distributor. Popped the cap off, dried it and started it in less than 5 minutes.

sfax · 06-02-2011, 04:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by inamik75

You are playing Russian roulette with your car

Russian roulette would be randomly attaching the hose to one of 6 containers. 5 with water. 1 with 18 molar sulphuric acid

clivem2 · 06-02-2011, 04:14 PM

When I do this I make sure the engine is warm to hot so the moisture dries quickly....not the Russian thing btw.

Radioactive · 06-02-2011, 04:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by clivem2

When I do this I make sure the engine is warm to hot so the moisture dries quickly....not the Russian thing btw.

Better to do when the engine is cool, then wipe down with a towel. That way you're picking up contaminates in the water before they dry. I also wash the exterior of the car immediately to get anything that over sprayed. Besides, I don't know how good it is to spray cold water on a hot engine as it cools.

clivem2 · 06-02-2011, 04:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Radioactive

Better to do when the engine is cool, then wipe down with a towel. That way you're picking up contaminates in the water before they dry. I also wash the exterior of the car immediately to get anything that over sprayed. Besides, I don't know how good it is to spray cold water on a hot engine as it cools.

If the engine compartment is getting so dirty then I'm sure rain water and puddle water is getting in there, water from a hose won't be so different. Sure, don't spray at full power onto a red hot turbo but if the electrics get wet in the washing process you stand a better chance of their drying out quickly if you have some heat in the engine bay.

Bimar · 06-03-2011, 01:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sfax

Russian roulette would be randomly attaching the hose to one of 6 containers. 5 with water. 1 with 18 molar sulphuric acid

but seriously its inevitable water will one day reach some expensive sensor whether professionally cleaned or not. Wiping down best thing for a Bimmer with all their electrics, but then again everyone can do whatever they wish their car

BMWZ4 · 06-03-2011, 07:39 AM

Cleaned out the bay yesterday afternoon, on a cool engine & then wiped down as radioactive suggested. Happy to report all is well. Bay is clean and no issues. Thx for all the input.

sfax · 06-03-2011, 08:36 AM

I bow to the superior knowledge of many of the guys here, Lotus, MA78, Radioactive, LedZep to name but a few, but I would still be a little apprehensive about spraying too much water into the engine compartment, when hot or cold

06-01-2011, 02:22 PM	#1
BMWZ4 Major General 1910 Rep 5,102 Posts Drives: '23 X1/'23 Allroad Progressiv Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Toronto iTrader: (1)	Engine Compartment Question Just back from the cottage, dirt roads etc. My engine compartment is really dirty and wondering if I can simply take a hose to it, to clean it up a bit; not a pressure washer, just a regular hose and even then, would only use the "shower" setting on the nozzle. Worried about shorting something out or ruining something in the compartment. Any feedback? __________________ '11 Z4 30i (retired);'11 X3 28i (retired); '15 M235i Stage 1 Dinan (recalled & crushed); '16 M235i Stage 3 Dinan (retired); '15 X3 28i (retired); '14 328i (retired), 2019 X3M40i (retired); Loaded '18 X1 (retired); Loaded '20 X3MC DG, Black/Tan Merino (retired); Loaded '23 X1 Cape York green and Red/Black interior; '23 Audi A4 Allroad Progressiv
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06-01-2011, 03:56 PM	#2
Itchywasabi Private 3 Rep 56 Posts Drives: BMW X3 Join Date: May 2011 Location: Abottabad iTrader: (0)	Dont use a hose, just dampen an old cloth and wipe away those dirt.
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06-01-2011, 04:49 PM	#3
BMWZ4 Major General 1910 Rep 5,102 Posts Drives: '23 X1/'23 Allroad Progressiv Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Toronto iTrader: (1)	Thanks. Actually a cloth may not cut it as there is quite a bit of dirt & sand. I'll figure something out. __________________ '11 Z4 30i (retired);'11 X3 28i (retired); '15 M235i Stage 1 Dinan (recalled & crushed); '16 M235i Stage 3 Dinan (retired); '15 X3 28i (retired); '14 328i (retired), 2019 X3M40i (retired); Loaded '18 X1 (retired); Loaded '20 X3MC DG, Black/Tan Merino (retired); Loaded '23 X1 Cape York green and Red/Black interior; '23 Audi A4 Allroad Progressiv
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06-01-2011, 05:23 PM	#4
Radioactive Captain 43 Rep 764 Posts Drives: '11 X3 28i '10 535i '04 325i Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: San Diego iTrader: (1)	You can spray it down, just don't soak the electrical areas.
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06-01-2011, 06:43 PM	#5
BMWZ4 Major General 1910 Rep 5,102 Posts Drives: '23 X1/'23 Allroad Progressiv Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Toronto iTrader: (1)	Thanks for that Radioactive. I'll give it a shot & I'll definitely be careful where I spray the water. Thanks. __________________ '11 Z4 30i (retired);'11 X3 28i (retired); '15 M235i Stage 1 Dinan (recalled & crushed); '16 M235i Stage 3 Dinan (retired); '15 X3 28i (retired); '14 328i (retired), 2019 X3M40i (retired); Loaded '18 X1 (retired); Loaded '20 X3MC DG, Black/Tan Merino (retired); Loaded '23 X1 Cape York green and Red/Black interior; '23 Audi A4 Allroad Progressiv
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06-01-2011, 08:33 PM	#6
frankwin Private First Class 6 Rep 122 Posts Drives: X3 xDrive35i w/MSport and + Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Quebec iTrader: (0)	I noticed that the protection is really different then my previous car and the engine is easily getting dirty.
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06-01-2011, 08:53 PM	#7
MA78 TK-421 18 Rep 610 Posts Drives: 2011 X3 35i Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Portland, OR iTrader: (0)	You can use a hose or a pressure washer without damaging anything. I do it all the time.
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06-02-2011, 02:57 PM	#10
Radioactive Captain 43 Rep 764 Posts Drives: '11 X3 28i '10 535i '04 325i Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: San Diego iTrader: (1)	I've been washing engines off for over 40 years, on all kinds of cars. In fact before the "environmental days" we would soak them in Gunk Off and power wash them. In all that time I had only one problem. Water got in the old type distributor. Popped the cap off, dried it and started it in less than 5 minutes.
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06-02-2011, 04:14 PM	#12
clivem2 Colonel 539 Rep 2,073 Posts Drives: X3 M40i Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: UK iTrader: (0)	When I do this I make sure the engine is warm to hot so the moisture dries quickly....not the Russian thing btw. __________________ Current: G01 M40i Silver / Tartufo Previous: E30 318iS, E39 520i 523i 523i, E46 vert 330i 330i, E93 vert 335i, F25 30D 35D
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06-03-2011, 07:39 AM	#16
BMWZ4 Major General 1910 Rep 5,102 Posts Drives: '23 X1/'23 Allroad Progressiv Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Toronto iTrader: (1)	Cleaned out the bay yesterday afternoon, on a cool engine & then wiped down as radioactive suggested. Happy to report all is well. Bay is clean and no issues. Thx for all the input. __________________ '11 Z4 30i (retired);'11 X3 28i (retired); '15 M235i Stage 1 Dinan (recalled & crushed); '16 M235i Stage 3 Dinan (retired); '15 X3 28i (retired); '14 328i (retired), 2019 X3M40i (retired); Loaded '18 X1 (retired); Loaded '20 X3MC DG, Black/Tan Merino (retired); Loaded '23 X1 Cape York green and Red/Black interior; '23 Audi A4 Allroad Progressiv
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06-03-2011, 08:36 AM	#17
sfax Brigadier General 91 Rep 3,855 Posts Drives: BMW X3 2011 F25 Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Berkshire, UK iTrader: (0)	I bow to the superior knowledge of many of the guys here, Lotus, MA78, Radioactive, LedZep to name but a few, but I would still be a little apprehensive about spraying too much water into the engine compartment, when hot or cold __________________ F25 xDrive20d SE __ professional multimedia package \| dynamic package \| climate package \| 309s \| xline \| xenons \| electric seats \| folding mirrors \| business speakers
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