first time cleaning engine

BlueLion · 07-31-2008, 11:42 AM

looking for some advice one what to do and mainly what things I should aware of when cleaning the engine. Never really bothered with taking care of it before, but all this pics in this section has inspired me.

Is there parts that should be covered and protected from water?

Is there parts that should not come in contact with cleaners/soap/dressing?

Any anything else i should know before i start.

Thanks!

stimpy · 07-31-2008, 04:02 PM

+1 was just lookin for the same info.

uabimmer · 07-31-2008, 04:10 PM

oldaccount · 07-31-2008, 04:45 PM

most people cover the alternator in some cars.

on e9x's you can just spray it down, soak it with degreaser, agitate if needed, hose/pressure wash off, then dress.

BlueLion · 07-31-2008, 04:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Suareezay

most people cover the alternator in some cars.

on e9x's you can just spray it down, soak it with degreaser, agitate if needed, hose/pressure wash off, then dress.

nice...so i dont need to cover or protect anything from getting wet

longodj · 07-31-2008, 05:40 PM

can we just like...put ziploc bags over dual cone intakes?

OtherAggie · 07-31-2008, 09:27 PM

Detailed Image has some good information on their website. There's an engine detail kit with specific products & instructions under 'Engine Bay', and also a generic how-to under 'Detailing Guides'.

I do my e90 with spray-on degreaser, ARO, and 303 on the rubber and QD on the painted metal. I don't cover anything, but I usually don't need to go crazy with the sprayer, either - I keep it pretty clean. Hope that helps.

oldaccount · 07-31-2008, 10:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by longodj

can we just like...put ziploc bags over dual cone intakes?

that works. or alluminum foil, just make sure to cover them nice and tight.

BlueLion · 08-01-2008, 09:25 AM

Thanks guys.....

SpecC · 08-01-2008, 11:06 AM

http://www.adamspolishes.com/t-Videos_DVD5_15.aspx

here you are sir

cover anything electrical (battery, alternator, fuse box, starter) with plastic bags or something like foil and you should be fine.

the jet stream is to try to focus the water and to minimize the amount of spray onto your paint. i think he makes a pretty big emphasis on NO APC ON PAINT!

BlueLion · 08-02-2008, 10:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SpecC

http://www.adamspolishes.com/t-Videos_DVD5_15.aspx

here you are sir

cover anything electrical (battery, alternator, fuse box, starter) with plastic bags or something like foil and you should be fine.

the jet stream is to try to focus the water and to minimize the amount of spray onto your paint. i think he makes a pretty big emphasis on NO APC ON PAINT!

APC?

ScheerSpeed · 08-02-2008, 10:20 AM

APC= All Purpose Cleaner

txusa03 · 08-07-2008, 09:01 AM

Hey, I know I speak for many of you guys and maybe even a few gals here. We would all be very sad if this is your new hobby (spending time cleaning car if ya know what I mean).

Seriously, good luck with the engine detail. Don't forget to post up some detailed engine shots

UncleWede · 08-07-2008, 06:30 PM

Another one bites the dust! Soon he'll be polishing his exhast too!!!

BayAreaE92 · 08-07-2008, 09:35 PM

Spray...Don't Pressure Wash

http://www.cnn.com/2008/LIVING/wayof....to.do.in.car/

BlueLion · 08-09-2008, 03:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by txusa03

Hey, I know I speak for many of you guys and maybe even a few gals here. We would all be very sad if this is your new hobby (spending time cleaning car if ya know what I mean).

Seriously, good luck with the engine detail. Don't forget to post up some detailed engine shots

Quote:

Originally Posted by UncleWede

Another one bites the dust! Soon he'll be polishing his exhast too!!!

yeah man....im going to try and not get carried away with it, but you know its kinda like a disease....the more you clean one part, the worse the other parts you don't clean looks.....

SpecC · 08-09-2008, 04:12 PM

welcome to detailing

leave your wallet at the door

BlueLion · 08-10-2008, 06:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SpecC

welcome to detailing

leave your wallet at the door

already did that Nov 2006....the day i joined e90post!

now i carry a ziplock with some spare change

UncleWede · 08-11-2008, 10:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BlueLion

now i carry a ziplock with some spare change

And a MF, QD, and a few spare buffer pads?

asdflkijd · 08-13-2008, 09:22 PM

So we can pretty mush hose down our engine bay without having to worry about getting water in all the wrong places?

therealm3 · 08-14-2008, 03:58 PM

I just did my first engine detail two weeks ago and it went well. I have always been into doing the exterior of the car, but like you was inspired by some of the pics in this forum. It was much easier than I thought so I did my wife’s car (X3) too. I used some Megs APC and sprayed it all over the compartment. It says its safe for plastics and rubber so I was liberal in my application. Let it soak for a few minutes while I used a small brush to loosen up some areas. Then hosed it all down and applied some hyper dressing (4:1). Again was very liberal in the application. Let it sit for about 10 min and then wiped up excess with a clean MF. Both cars look great. Its now in my rotation of detailing done at different times of the year.

BTW - PB Wheel sealant works great as a cleaner and protectant on the exhaust tips....

BlueLion · 08-14-2008, 05:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by therealm3

I just did my first engine detail two weeks ago and it went well. I have always been into doing the exterior of the car, but like you was inspired by some of the pics in this forum. It was much easier than I thought so I did my wife’s car (X3) too. I used some Megs APC and sprayed it all over the compartment. It says its safe for plastics and rubber so I was liberal in my application. Let it soak for a few minutes while I used a small brush to loosen up some areas. Then hosed it all down and applied some hyper dressing (4:1). Again was very liberal in the application. Let it sit for about 10 min and then wiped up excess with a clean MF. Both cars look great. Its now in my rotation of detailing done at different times of the year.

BTW - PB Wheel sealant works great as a cleaner and protectant on the exhaust tips....

im going to do it when i install my afe intake.....

07-31-2008, 11:42 AM	#1
BlueLion Lieutenant Colonel 98 Rep 1,637 Posts Drives: 22 X3M SPY Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Bradenton - FL iTrader: (4) Garage List 2022 X3MC [0.00]	first time cleaning engine looking for some advice one what to do and mainly what things I should aware of when cleaning the engine. Never really bothered with taking care of it before, but all this pics in this section has inspired me. Is there parts that should be covered and protected from water? Is there parts that should not come in contact with cleaners/soap/dressing? Any anything else i should know before i start. Thanks! __________________ Retired: '07 E92 335 MB, '16 M5COMP SG Current: '22 X3MCOMP SPY
	Appreciate 0 Tweet Quote

07-31-2008, 04:02 PM	#2
stimpy Colonel 183 Rep 2,210 Posts Drives: E92 335i Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Phoenix AZ iTrader: (7)	+1 was just lookin for the same info.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

07-31-2008, 04:10 PM	#3
uabimmer Україна 24 Rep 868 Posts Drives: JB e90 330i Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Sac. California iTrader: (2) Garage List 2006 330i [0.00] 2003 330i [0.00]	__________________ IN THE PASSING LANE - e90 330 JetBlack / 6000k D1S / 40% all around / LED Lic.Plt. / LED reverse lights / 7500k Fogs
	Appreciate 0 Quote

07-31-2008, 04:45 PM	#4
oldaccount Colonel 171 Rep 2,455 Posts Drives: Car Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: USA iTrader: (2)	most people cover the alternator in some cars. on e9x's you can just spray it down, soak it with degreaser, agitate if needed, hose/pressure wash off, then dress.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

07-31-2008, 05:40 PM	#6
longodj Major 78 Rep 1,287 Posts Drives: 135i Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Rochester, NY iTrader: (3) Garage List 2007 335xi [0.00] 1974 VW Beetle [0.00]	can we just like...put ziploc bags over dual cone intakes? __________________ Performance: UUC Sways CDV Mod KW V3 Vorshlag plates Pagid Yellow VK OC Hotchkis Brace STETT IC/CAI Braille B2015 VK Catless DP BMS JB3 M-Tech #1 Mod: AutoX/HPDE HPDE 3 Many Thanks: **********s UUC Motorwerks VK Motorwerks HP Autowerks SOLD
	Appreciate 0 Quote

07-31-2008, 09:27 PM	#7
OtherAggie Private 1 Rep 63 Posts Drives: monaco '07 e90 Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: southwest USA iTrader: (0)	Detailed Image has some good information on their website. There's an engine detail kit with specific products & instructions under 'Engine Bay', and also a generic how-to under 'Detailing Guides'. I do my e90 with spray-on degreaser, ARO, and 303 on the rubber and QD on the painted metal. I don't cover anything, but I usually don't need to go crazy with the sprayer, either - I keep it pretty clean. Hope that helps.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

08-01-2008, 09:25 AM	#9
BlueLion Lieutenant Colonel 98 Rep 1,637 Posts Drives: 22 X3M SPY Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Bradenton - FL iTrader: (4) Garage List 2022 X3MC [0.00]	Thanks guys..... __________________ Retired: '07 E92 335 MB, '16 M5COMP SG Current: '22 X3MCOMP SPY
	Appreciate 0 Quote

08-01-2008, 11:06 AM	#10
SpecC Completely obsessed with detailing 308 Rep 15,441 Posts Drives: E90 SG 330i, white Scion tC Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: San Francisco and Davis iTrader: (4)	http://www.adamspolishes.com/t-Videos_DVD5_15.aspx here you are sir cover anything electrical (battery, alternator, fuse box, starter) with plastic bags or something like foil and you should be fine. the jet stream is to try to focus the water and to minimize the amount of spray onto your paint. i think he makes a pretty big emphasis on NO APC ON PAINT!
	Appreciate 0 Quote

08-02-2008, 10:20 AM	#12
ScheerSpeed Major General 447 Rep 5,766 Posts Drives: '13 F30 Estoril M-Sport 335i Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Miami, FL iTrader: (14)	APC= All Purpose Cleaner
	Appreciate 0 Quote

08-07-2008, 09:01 AM	#13
txusa03 Major General 602 Rep 6,563 Posts Drives: TS330iPPSP6MT Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Planet Earth iTrader: (3)	Hey, I know I speak for many of you guys and maybe even a few gals here. We would all be very sad if this is your new hobby (spending time cleaning car if ya know what I mean). Seriously, good luck with the engine detail. Don't forget to post up some detailed engine shots __________________ under construction!
	Appreciate 0 Quote

08-07-2008, 06:30 PM	#14
UncleWede Long Time Admirer, First Time Owner 18683 Rep 9,445 Posts Drives: G01 X3 M40i Dark Graphite Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Oxnard, CA iTrader: (0)	Another one bites the dust! Soon he'll be polishing his exhast too!!!
	Appreciate 0 Quote

08-07-2008, 09:35 PM	#15
BayAreaE92 First Lieutenant 23 Rep 368 Posts Drives: 91' 850i Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Oakland, CA iTrader: (0) Garage List 1991 850i [7.75] 2007 328i Coupe [0.00]	Spray...Don't Pressure Wash http://www.cnn.com/2008/LIVING/wayof....to.do.in.car/
	Appreciate 0 Quote

08-09-2008, 04:12 PM	#17
SpecC Completely obsessed with detailing 308 Rep 15,441 Posts Drives: E90 SG 330i, white Scion tC Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: San Francisco and Davis iTrader: (4)	welcome to detailing leave your wallet at the door
	Appreciate 0 Quote

08-13-2008, 09:22 PM	#20
asdflkijd Aberry is a scammer 595 Rep 5,507 Posts Drives: SGM E92 335i, AM E90 335i Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Seattle, WA iTrader: (14) Garage List 2008 E92 335i [10.00] 2007 E90 335i (Reti ... [9.00]	So we can pretty mush hose down our engine bay without having to worry about getting water in all the wrong places?
	Appreciate 0 Quote

08-14-2008, 03:58 PM	#21
therealm3 Lieutenant Colonel 651 Rep 1,659 Posts Drives: F30 340 MSport Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: CA, USA iTrader: (7)	I just did my first engine detail two weeks ago and it went well. I have always been into doing the exterior of the car, but like you was inspired by some of the pics in this forum. It was much easier than I thought so I did my wife’s car (X3) too. I used some Megs APC and sprayed it all over the compartment. It says its safe for plastics and rubber so I was liberal in my application. Let it soak for a few minutes while I used a small brush to loosen up some areas. Then hosed it all down and applied some hyper dressing (4:1). Again was very liberal in the application. Let it sit for about 10 min and then wiped up excess with a clean MF. Both cars look great. Its now in my rotation of detailing done at different times of the year. BTW - PB Wheel sealant works great as a cleaner and protectant on the exhaust tips....
	Appreciate 0 Quote