Engine is dirty best way to clean? - BMW 3-Series Forum (F30 / F32)

trowe002 · 11-25-2012, 03:38 PM

What is the best way to clean an engine?

Noor · 11-25-2012, 03:42 PM

Yes please advice, I want to know too

vince88 · 11-25-2012, 03:48 PM

You mean running a pressure washer through it?

If so, I remember reading that if the engine is cold: must be running
If it's hot: off is OK...
(or was it the other way around???) Cant remember exactly.

Some of the more knowledgeable members will tell you (if that's what you're looking for)

trowe002 · 11-25-2012, 05:04 PM

That helps but do you know of a safe cleaning agent?

vince88 · 11-25-2012, 05:32 PM

on my old e90, I had cleaned the engine bay, (cant remember if it was running or not) with my pressure washer... For the soap, I used regular car wash diluted with water already connected to my pressure wash.
Once the foam was good enough, I ran water only until it was clean.

woderd · 11-25-2012, 11:30 PM

what every you do, do NOT clean it after the engine has been running and it is hot. It is best to clean it when its cold

Reason being is the cold water will rapidly cool the hot engine parts to quickly and this can cause things to crack. Happened to me with an alternator a couple years ago

bananachipz · 11-26-2012, 10:23 AM

Cold Engine.

Cover electrical contacts that are exposed

I use Optimum Power Clean

Regular hose, fan spray - no pressure washer

I finish the cover with Ultima tire and trim guard

Tsuvoi · 11-26-2012, 11:20 AM

I would try cleaning by hand... Never a good thing to hose anything down in my opinion.

11-25-2012, 03:38 PM	#1
trowe002 Registered Drives: 328i 2007 Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Fairfield Posts: 2 iTrader: (0)	Engine is dirty best way to clean? What is the best way to clean an engine?
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11-25-2012, 05:04 PM	#4
trowe002 Registered Drives: 328i 2007 Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Fairfield Posts: 2 iTrader: (0)	Cleaner That helps but do you know of a safe cleaning agent?

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11-25-2012, 03:42 PM	#2
Noor Private First Class Drives: '12 BMW 328i, '02 VW Passat V6 Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Saudi Arabia Posts: 137 iTrader: (0)	Yes please advice, I want to know too

11-25-2012, 03:48 PM	#3
vince88 Private First Class Drives: '13 328i Xdrive Sports Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Montreal Posts: 171 iTrader: (0)	You mean running a pressure washer through it? If so, I remember reading that if the engine is cold: must be running If it's hot: off is OK... (or was it the other way around???) Cant remember exactly. Some of the more knowledgeable members will tell you (if that's what you're looking for)

11-25-2012, 05:32 PM	#5
vince88 Private First Class Drives: '13 328i Xdrive Sports Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Montreal Posts: 171 iTrader: (0)	on my old e90, I had cleaned the engine bay, (cant remember if it was running or not) with my pressure washer... For the soap, I used regular car wash diluted with water already connected to my pressure wash. Once the foam was good enough, I ran water only until it was clean.

11-25-2012, 11:30 PM	#6
woderd Private Drives: boat Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: home Posts: 90 iTrader: (0)	what every you do, do NOT clean it after the engine has been running and it is hot. It is best to clean it when its cold Reason being is the cold water will rapidly cool the hot engine parts to quickly and this can cause things to crack. Happened to me with an alternator a couple years ago

11-26-2012, 10:23 AM	#7
bananachipz Captain Drives: F30 Mineral Gray 335i Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Canada Posts: 744 iTrader: (0)	Cold Engine. Cover electrical contacts that are exposed I use Optimum Power Clean Regular hose, fan spray - no pressure washer I finish the cover with Ultima tire and trim guard

11-26-2012, 11:20 AM	#8
Tsuvoi Banned Drives: 2013 F30 328i Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: New York Posts: 272 iTrader: (0)	I would try cleaning by hand... Never a good thing to hose anything down in my opinion.