Question about engine compartment cleaning

MissVito · 09-24-2020, 03:22 PM

Hi, I'm going to get a really good detailing on my X5 before I sell it and I really want the engine bay cleaned up and looking as good as the outside. Any words of advice?? I don't dare do it myself because I'm sure it has to be done carefully and I don't have a lot of confidence in my usual guys that detail it. Thanks!

RED_Y_ · 09-24-2020, 03:41 PM

If you don't have any leaks usually there is not that much to clean, I just use portable vacuum to clean any debris pine needles/leaves etc. and just wipe fine dust with slightly wet microfiber towel. Not doing it often though, usually just when replacing cabin air filter.

smyles · 09-24-2020, 03:52 PM

Yeah, don't wash anything - as a buyer, I'd be suspicious of a freshly detailed engine bay (on a regular vehicle!), as I'd see it as an attempt to conceal a leak.

MissVito · 09-24-2020, 04:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RED_Y_

If you don't have any leaks usually there is not that much to clean, I just use portable vacuum to clean any debris pine needles/leaves etc. and just wipe fine dust with slightly wet microfiber towel. Not doing it often though, usually just when replacing cabin air filter.

Okay, good information, thanks very much!

MissVito · 09-24-2020, 04:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by smyles

Yeah, don't wash anything - as a buyer, I'd be suspicious of a freshly detailed engine bay (on a regular vehicle!), as I'd see it as an attempt to conceal a leak.

Ah, good point! I'll just brush off the dust, etc.

addicted_to_boost · 09-24-2020, 09:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by smyles

Yeah, don't wash anything - as a buyer, I'd be suspicious of a freshly detailed engine bay (on a regular vehicle!), as I'd see it as an attempt to conceal a leak.

Just the opposite for me. As a buyer, I'd be suspicious of a dirty engine bay as a sign of lack of attention and possibly neglect. Then again, I crawl under any used vehicle I'm interested in buying from front to back. Even if its a freshly washed engine bay, there will more often than not be signs of an existing leak.

MissVito · 09-25-2020, 10:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by addicted_to_boost

Just the opposite for me. As a buyer, I'd be suspicious of a dirty engine bay as a sign of lack of attention and possibly neglect. Then again, I crawl under any used vehicle I'm interested in buying from front to back. Even if its a freshly washed engine bay, there will more often than not be signs of an existing leak.

I'm immediately turned off by an engine bay that isn't clean looking. To me, that indicates a car wasn't taken care of. In a previous life, my ex was OCD about the entire car including under the hood so I'm not used to it being dusty. But I do understand that leaks may be concealed temporarily by cleaning. Luckily, my car is still like new and never leaked.

8202632 · 09-27-2020, 09:22 PM

Done this with all my cars. Works like a charm!

https://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/th...engine.574877/

PeteyF15 · 09-28-2020, 08:58 AM

Power wash it gently from afar. Spray diluted AP cleaner and lightly brush everything. Rinse.
Spray diluted dressing (tire shine like products) all over and close hood. Let dry. Voila.

MissVito · 09-28-2020, 12:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 8202632

Done this with all my cars. Works like a charm!

https://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/th...engine.574877/

Very interesting, never would have thought of that!

Maverik259 · 10-08-2020, 11:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MissVito

Hi, I'm going to get a really good detailing on my X5 before I sell it and I really want the engine bay cleaned up and looking as good as the outside. Any words of advice?? I don't dare do it myself because I'm sure it has to be done carefully and I don't have a lot of confidence in my usual guys that detail it. Thanks!

Best stuff around and the easiest.

classic_erik · 10-09-2020, 06:03 AM

I just did mine for the first time and used a little diluted soapy water in a bottle sprayer. Everything was done by hand with a microfiber cloth. I would never spray water into the engine bay! That just seems reckless and unwarranted.

I agree it's important to have the bay clean if you're going to sell it. Better safe than sorry.

MissVito · 10-09-2020, 04:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by classic_erik

I just did mine for the first time and used a little diluted soapy water in a bottle sprayer. Everything was done by hand with a microfiber cloth. I would never spray water into the engine bay! That just seems reckless and unwarranted.

I agree it's important to have the bay clean if you're going to sell it. Better safe than sorry.

Looks great!

MrJayhawk85 · 10-09-2020, 06:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 8202632

Done this with all my cars. Works like a charm!

https://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/th...engine.574877/

I just tried that on both a 2005 and 2006 car in my family fleet (non BMWs). I have to say that really works! The biggest issue was trying to find Scrubbing Bubbles. Costco was out and so was Walmart. I wound up using Kaboom and it really did a good job. I sprayed both engines twice and no issues.

originalgoods13 · 10-13-2020, 03:33 PM

I clean mine every 5 years as it does not really get dirty, just dusty since it's in the garage most of the time.

Running hose water, a soft brush, and a foam sprayer is all I used under the hood and on the plastic bits.

You can also rinse with pressure washer, keeping distance of about 3 feet so you don't blow or disconnect things with the high pressure water.

09-24-2020, 03:22 PM	#1
MissVito Second Lieutenant 217 Rep 275 Posts Drives: '24 X5 M60i, M240ix Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Tampa, FL iTrader: (0)	Question about engine compartment cleaning Hi, I'm going to get a really good detailing on my X5 before I sell it and I really want the engine bay cleaned up and looking as good as the outside. Any words of advice?? I don't dare do it myself because I'm sure it has to be done carefully and I don't have a lot of confidence in my usual guys that detail it. Thanks! __________________ '24 X5 M60i Tanzanite Blue II/Coffee '21 X5 M50i Tanzanite Blue II/Coffee (RIP) '21 M240ix Long Beach Blue Metallic/Red '14 X5 s35i Lux Line Mineral White/Mocha (re-homed)
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09-24-2020, 03:41 PM	#2
RED_Y_ Colonel 1059 Rep 2,511 Posts Drives: 2014 X5 3.5d Join Date: Sep 2017 Location: SF Bay Area iTrader: (0)	If you don't have any leaks usually there is not that much to clean, I just use portable vacuum to clean any debris pine needles/leaves etc. and just wipe fine dust with slightly wet microfiber towel. Not doing it often though, usually just when replacing cabin air filter.
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09-24-2020, 03:52 PM	#3
smyles Major 1023 Rep 1,168 Posts Drives: '21 X5 Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: DC iTrader: (0)	Yeah, don't wash anything - as a buyer, I'd be suspicious of a freshly detailed engine bay (on a regular vehicle!), as I'd see it as an attempt to conceal a leak.
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09-27-2020, 09:22 PM	#8
8202632 First Lieutenant 170 Rep 340 Posts Drives: Several Join Date: Jan 2019 Location: Tennessee iTrader: (2) Garage List 2004 Ferrari 360 Sp ... [0.00] 2015 Ford F150 Lari ... [0.00] 2015 Porsche GT3 [0.00] 2017 BMW X5M [0.00] 2020 BMW X7 M50i [0.00]	Done this with all my cars. Works like a charm! https://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/th...engine.574877/ __________________ 2023 GMC Denali Ultimate 2021 Porsche Cayenne GTS 2019 Ford Raptor SuperCrew 2015 Porsche GT3 2004 Ferrari 360 Spider 6M
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09-28-2020, 08:58 AM	#9
PeteyF15 New Member 11 Rep 26 Posts Drives: 2016 X5 F15 Msport Join Date: Feb 2020 Location: Dallas TX iTrader: (0)	Power wash it gently from afar. Spray diluted AP cleaner and lightly brush everything. Rinse. Spray diluted dressing (tire shine like products) all over and close hood. Let dry. Voila.
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		BMW X5 and X6 Forum (F15/F16) > BMW X5 (F15) and BMW X6 (F16) Forum > BMW X5 and X6 (F15/F16) Forum
Question about engine compartment cleaning

10-09-2020, 06:03 AM	#12
classic_erik Lieutenant Colonel 2809 Rep 1,859 Posts Drives: 23' X7 40i M Sport Join Date: Jan 2019 Location: South Shore, MA iTrader: (12) Garage List 2023 BMW X7 40i M S ... [0.00] 2020 Audi SQ5 [0.00]	I just did mine for the first time and used a little diluted soapy water in a bottle sprayer. Everything was done by hand with a microfiber cloth. I would never spray water into the engine bay! That just seems reckless and unwarranted. I agree it's important to have the bay clean if you're going to sell it. Better safe than sorry. Attached Images __________________ My F15 50i M Sport Build Thread
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10-13-2020, 03:33 PM	#15
originalgoods13 Captain 290 Rep 625 Posts Drives: Chevy Spark Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Calgary, Canada iTrader: (0)	I clean mine every 5 years as it does not really get dirty, just dusty since it's in the garage most of the time. Running hose water, a soft brush, and a foam sprayer is all I used under the hood and on the plastic bits. You can also rinse with pressure washer, keeping distance of about 3 feet so you don't blow or disconnect things with the high pressure water.
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