Can you guide me on this engine detail?!?

joyriide1113

joyriide1113

There is no cure!
Hey guys,

well I've been thinking its time to clean up the engine on my car. I've never done an engine detail but really wanna clean up my car. Only problem is I'm scared of getting certain things wet. Especially since BMW's come with a lot of electronic controls and it would really suck if I damaged something.

I kinda want you guys to maybe guide me with the use of the pictures posted, to tell me what exactly would need to be covered. Naming engine parts gets me no where as I'm dumber than mayonnaise when it comes to engines. More or less atleast.

Maybe with the use of the paint program one of you guys can draw a little red circle around it.

I know it sounds like too much but if you guys have any time or wanna kill some time, help me out.

thanks again,
joy


PICTURES------------------------------------------------

sorry for the blurred photos, I was holding the camera over my head in order to get a full picture.

2006 BMW 330I

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DSCF1427.jpg
 
Don't cover anything. You don't have to spray a hose all over your engine to detail it. That engine isn't that dirty anyway. You could clean the whole thing with towels and spray bottles. Don't cover anything and don't use a hose. Fill a spray bottle with soap and water and another with rinse water. Then go for it. I would definitely look for some CD2 Engine Detailer at AutoZone too. It would look great with all the black plastic under your hood.
 
Jngrbrdman said:
Don't cover anything. You don't have to spray a hose all over your engine to detail it. That engine isn't that dirty anyway. You could clean the whole thing with towels and spray bottles. Don't cover anything and don't use a hose. Fill a spray bottle with soap and water and another with rinse water. Then go for it. I would definitely look for some CD2 Engine Detailer at AutoZone too. It would look great with all the black plastic under your hood.
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Agreed -- that looks like a SIMPLE engine detail. If you have access to a steamer, I'd maybe give that a shot. :beer_smil
 
Honestly, other than the alternator (the thing with the copper wire looking stuff in it) I can't see anything there that I would cover in an engine detail. Cover that and then do what the others have already suggested.
 
pretty easy engine to clean. only the altenator is showing. i would spray apc and lighty power wash it off myself. as long as you don't spray the altenator directly you will have no trouble. a little water will not hurt it.
 
Jngrbrdman said:
Don't cover anything. You don't have to spray a hose all over your engine to detail it. That engine isn't that dirty anyway. You could clean the whole thing with towels and spray bottles. Don't cover anything and don't use a hose. Fill a spray bottle with soap and water and another with rinse water. Then go for it. I would definitely look for some CD2 Engine Detailer at AutoZone too. It would look great with all the black plastic under your hood.
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I agree with that completley the engine does not even appear to be dirty other than some dust that has settled. One thing that i have founbd that works wonders on cleaning a dirty engine bay is Scrubbing Bubbles (Yes the bathroom cleaner) If you spray it on heavily solied prts and then use a trickle water flow to rinse it after it has set for a couple minutes most of the dirt will flow off. Then simply dry/wipe it all down with a towel. I have not tried or seen this CD2 that everyone speaks of, but for the plastic under hood parts i like to use In and Out spray. It gives a nice clean sheen yet is water based so it is easy to clean off with QD and it does not seem to attract to much dust. I wipe down my engine bay with every wash that way it does not build up dirt. It only adds about 10 minutes to the whole process and is well worth it.Also if you have a air compressor i like to blow all the loose dust and dirt out with it first.

Richard
 
Jngrbrdman said:
Don't cover anything. You don't have to spray a hose all over your engine to detail it. That engine isn't that dirty anyway. You could clean the whole thing with towels and spray bottles. Don't cover anything and don't use a hose. Fill a spray bottle with soap and water and another with rinse water. Then go for it. I would definitely look for some CD2 Engine Detailer at AutoZone too. It would look great with all the black plastic under your hood.
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I agree.


I have cleaned similar (in level of soil) engines with just APC cut anywhere from 6:1 to 10:1 and a couple older or Sam's Club/Wal-Mart MFs. The CD2 Engine Detailer is very good and I would reccomend it. Just be sure to get any off the paint (exterior) if it oversprays. CD2 forms a thick candy shell on everything.
 
97F1504x4 said:
I wipe down my engine bay with every wash that way it does not build up dirt. It only adds about 10 minutes to the whole process and is well worth it.
Richard
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The real secret to keeping the engine compartment looking good. You never let it get dirty.:)

Charles
 
CharlesW said:
The real secret to keeping the engine compartment looking good. You never let it get dirty.:)

Charles
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I agree I do mine every time I wash the car..... also your motor is not that dirty as mentioned.....some people think that's clean already....LOL
 
Beemerboy said:
I agree I do mine every time I wash the car..... also your motor is not that dirty as mentioned.....some people think that's clean already....LOL
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Yep. A simple wipedown with a damp towel and maybe some QD will be more than enough. Meguiar's credo stands strong, IMO:


"Frequent car care is easy car care"
 
Thats sort of what I've been doing. But lately it seems like all it does is moves dirt around. The car there has 15,000 miles and never really got an engine cleaning. Only wipe down with armor all (it cleans) and a wet terry towel.

Thanks for the advice guys
 
After all.... It is a 2006. How set in could that dirt possibly be? I mean, the car can't be more than 6 months old at the most. It is just dusty. I would just suggest keeping it wiped down and then you'll never have to "detail" the engine. That's the one thing I don't like about my car. With the hood scoop and the way the grille sucks in dust, it is next to impossible to keep the engine looking good. I've got no choice but to get in there and give it a good cleaning every other month or so.

Like Sean said... As long as you can keep it clean then keeping it clean will be easier. Don't slack off and ignore the engine for several months or else all that light dust will turn into something that takes a little more scrubbing.
 
would you guys think filling up a pump garden sprayer and wetting the engine would be safer but just as effective?
 
joyriide1113 said:
Thats sort of what I've been doing. But lately it seems like all it does is moves dirt around. The car there has 15,000 miles and never really got an engine cleaning. Only wipe down with armor all (it cleans) and a wet terry towel.

Thanks for the advice guys
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You may very well see dust and dirt that isn't visible in the pictures. Photgraphs often don't show everything.
Even so, the damp towel and some QD should be all you really need.

Charles
 
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