engine wash

[ShortShifter]

Originally Posted by propr'one

^^i'm #1 opponent to pouring water on your engine. There's no reason for it, at BEST it MIGHT not **** anything up. There's better ways of cleaning an engine.

He's an angry elf...

[propr'one]

^^go ask your mechanic what he thinks of just dousing your engine bay with water.

if you think the dealer actually gives a **** about the long term benefit/cost to you of what they do to your car, you are sorely mistaken.

[jstalin]

Wrap any wires/electrical components with Tin foil before spraying and you should be safe

[ShortShifter]

Originally Posted by propr'one

^^go ask your mechanic what he thinks of just dousing your engine bay with water.

I did..he said its no biggy...

[Bullet Ride]

I pressure wash the engine compartment once a year (in the spring) on both my cars, using a cleaning solution first, then again to rinse it. Haven't had any problems yet, been doing it for a few years now. However I'm driving e39's not an e36.

[HoldenC]

Originally Posted by bimmerjoe

if its a bmw you dont need to cover a thing... the washbay guys do it every day to every bmw that rolls into the dealership and gets a courtesy wash.. just a lil engine degreaser then powerwash that bitch.. when your done a lil tire shine and a rag makes it look pimp

And the washbay guys have your best interests at heart, right? There is an expression to describe how dealers care for vehicles, it's called Dealer Installed Swirls.

[propr'one]

Originally Posted by ShortShifter

I did..he said its no biggy...

your mechanic sucks.

[countrybimm]

its not a dirtbike...and beemers have sensors everywhere.....clean it by hand, its time consuming but safe...

[Gamite]

I'd advise you not to use a pressure washer. It's completely unnecessary. A garden hose will suffice.


Cover any electrical parts with a plastic bag or something similar. This includes fuse box, ecu, air intake.

Rinse your engine down with water, and then spray some degreaser to get off the tough spots. You don't want any concentration of degreaser cuz it will stain the metal parts. For those really bad spots, you can use a brush to loosen the dirt. Rinse it off, and start your car right away. It will dry up any water where you don't want it.


Worst case scenario is your car won't start cuz something got wet that shouldn't have. Just wait for the car to dry up, and try again.

[bimmerjoe]

Originally Posted by HoldenC

And the washbay guys have your best interests at heart, right? There is an expression to describe how dealers care for vehicles, it's called Dealer Installed Swirls.

i was talking about washing the engine, but your 100% right about the dealer installed swirls... when i pick up one of the mits all i see is sand and grit on them and they drop it on the floor then keep washing the car **** its worth crying about!

[ShortShifter]

Originally Posted by Gamite

I'd advise you not to use a pressure washer. It's completely unnecessary. A garden hose will suffice.

I would much prefer to use a pressure washer because it uses a lot less water.

[HoldenC]

Originally Posted by ShortShifter

I would much prefer to use a pressure washer because it uses a lot less water.

There are arguments to be made both ways. I personally like that a pressure washer will use less water when cleaning the engine but the pressure scares me in the hands of a newbie.

[ShortShifter]

Originally Posted by HoldenC

There are arguments to be made both ways. I personally like that a pressure washer will use less water when cleaning the engine but the pressure scares me in the hands of a newbie.

Then dont let a newbie use a pressure washer on your bimmer...