Best way to clean engine bay

humbertob · 02-04-2019, 11:14 AM

Hi guys, I recently acquired a 2014 X5 F15 with the N55 engine, unfortunately OFHG and VCG needed to be replaced asap but I think the previous owner let the leaking oil remained for a couple thousand miles on all the components affected by these kind of leaks, what do you guys recommend to use to remove the oil and grime from the components affected, and what components may I focus on? Thanks a lot for your answers as always !

unluky · 02-04-2019, 11:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by humbertob

Hi guys, I recently acquired a 2014 X5 F15 with the N55 engine, unfortunately OFHG and VCG needed to be replaced asap but I think the previous owner let the leaking oil remained for a couple thousand miles on all the components affected by these kind of leaks, what do you guys recommend to use to remove the oil and grime from the components affected, and what components may I focus on? Thanks a lot for your answers as always !

Simple Green has always worked wonders for me without being too harsh on anything. Get the motor good and hot and then spray it down and let it soak in a bit. Always worked good for me anyway.

turboawd · 02-04-2019, 11:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by unluky

Simple Green has always worked wonders for me without being too harsh on anything. Get the motor good and hot and then spray it down and let it soak in a bit. Always worked good for me anyway.

I believe simple green Max is a better version. Its less corrosive to aluminum.

daytonaviolet · 02-04-2019, 02:02 PM

+ micro fiber towel

Quote:

Originally Posted by unluky

Simple Green has always worked wonders for me without being too harsh on anything. Get the motor good and hot and then spray it down and let it soak in a bit. Always worked good for me anyway.

Ferg · 02-04-2019, 02:43 PM

Agree with above!

Mr.47 · 02-04-2019, 05:59 PM

A good steamer (no hand held junk), some microfiber rag, and before you know it you'll end up cleaning the entire engine bay.

sloanbj · 02-05-2019, 07:55 AM

Be very careful with anything wet you are putting in the engine area or before you know it you will have water where it shouldn't be followed by corrosion. No pressure or steam. Just spray Simple green on a microfiber and start wiping.

smyles · 02-05-2019, 09:26 AM

any degreaser + brush + garden sprayer + compressed air

hufington · 02-05-2019, 10:25 AM

Everything above and Q-tips, lots of Q-tips...

02-04-2019, 11:14 AM	#1
humbertob First Lieutenant 132 Rep 318 Posts Drives: '16 BMW M235i Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Laredo, Tx. iTrader: (0)	Best way to clean engine bay Hi guys, I recently acquired a 2014 X5 F15 with the N55 engine, unfortunately OFHG and VCG needed to be replaced asap but I think the previous owner let the leaking oil remained for a couple thousand miles on all the components affected by these kind of leaks, what do you guys recommend to use to remove the oil and grime from the components affected, and what components may I focus on? Thanks a lot for your answers as always ! __________________ (OO)-(////)(\\\\)-(OO) '16 F22 M235i '19 G01 X3 \| Wife's '15 F30 335i M-Sport \| Son's '10 Porsche Boxster
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02-04-2019, 02:43 PM	#5
Ferg Master of my own domain!! 153 Rep 1,049 Posts Drives: F82 M4/F15 X5 Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Huntsville, AL iTrader: (0)	Agree with above!
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02-04-2019, 05:59 PM	#6
Mr.47 First Lieutenant 483 Rep 317 Posts Drives: F15 X5 35d Join Date: Oct 2017 Location: Oklahoma iTrader: (0)	A good steamer (no hand held junk), some microfiber rag, and before you know it you'll end up cleaning the entire engine bay.
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02-05-2019, 07:55 AM	#7
sloanbj Private 25 Rep 60 Posts Drives: 2015 Xdrive50i MSport Join Date: Jun 2018 Location: Houston, TX iTrader: (0)	Be very careful with anything wet you are putting in the engine area or before you know it you will have water where it shouldn't be followed by corrosion. No pressure or steam. Just spray Simple green on a microfiber and start wiping.
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02-05-2019, 09:26 AM	#8
smyles Major 1023 Rep 1,168 Posts Drives: '21 X5 Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: DC iTrader: (0)	any degreaser + brush + garden sprayer + compressed air
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Best way to clean engine bay

02-05-2019, 10:25 AM	#9
hufington Major 3124 Rep 1,354 Posts Drives: 2022 X5 m50i Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: North East iTrader: (0) Garage List 2018 Mercedes-Benz ... [0.00]	Everything above and Q-tips, lots of Q-tips... __________________ 2022 BMW X5 m50i 2024 MB S63 on order '18 X5 50i / '16 BMW F10 550xi / '13 BMW F10 535i / '07 BMW E64 630i / '03 BMW E65 745i / '95 BMW E34 540i / '89 BMW E30 M3
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