Materials to Maintain Your ZHP IIIII Hand Protection IIIII Tools to Maintain Your ZHP
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  1. #1
    Join Date
    Feb 2016
    Location
    Portland, Maine, USA area
    Posts
    840

    Engine bay cleaning

    Newbie here looking for tips on keeping the engine compartment clean. With my previous car I'd put a plastic bag over the distributor cap, spray Gunk degreaser around, brush things where appropriate and rinse with a hose spray. Then 303 protectant where appropriate. All this about 2-3 times yearly. That (1993) car was simpler, though, and perhaps our cars can't take that kind of treatment?

    Fire away...

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  2. #2
    Join Date
    Nov 2014
    Location
    Portland, OR
    Posts
    10,243
    Interested as well, I really need to do this on my car since I don't think it's ever had the engine bay cleaned. Some people say you can go ahead and pretty much spray anything in there but the non-sealed electrical connections and sensors make me nervous.

    I plan to pick up some Simple Green from Amazon for the job down the line, need to pick out a protectant/sealant though.

  3. #3
    Quote Originally Posted by BMWCurves View Post
    Some people say you can go ahead and pretty much spray anything in there but the non-sealed electrical connections and sensors make me nervous.
    I am one of those people that say no to that. Had my 03 detailed last year and water got into one of the xenon ballasts, as the seal had aged enough at that point... ooops. Needed a new ballast.

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Jan 2016
    Location
    Helena, AL
    Posts
    633
    Quote Originally Posted by BMWCurves View Post
    Interested as well, I really need to do this on my car since I don't think it's ever had the engine bay cleaned. Some people say you can go ahead and pretty much spray anything in there but the non-sealed electrical connections and sensors make me nervous.

    I plan to pick up some Simple Green from Amazon for the job down the line, need to pick out a protectant/sealant though.
    Simple Green is way to strong and will etch itself into many things, including metal. Try P21S instead:

    http://www.detailedimage.com/Auto-De...de/Engine-Bay/

    Frank W.

    Present
    2003 BMW 530iA Saphirschwarz Metallic

    Past
    2006 BMW 330ci ZHP 6MT Silbergrau Metallic
    2014 BMW X1 xDrive35i ///M-Sport Mineralgrau Metallic
    2011 BMW 328i 6MT ///M-Sport Alpenweiss
    1999 BMW ///M Roadster Estorilblau Metallic


    plus an assortment of VW, Honda, Mazda, Chevrolet, Nissan, Toyota, and others over the years


  5. #5
    Join Date
    Nov 2012
    Location
    22841
    Posts
    9,921
    My two favorite products for cleaning engine bays and making them look matte.





    His - 2004 Imola Red / Alcantara 330i | 6MT | ZHP |

    Her's - 2005 Black Sapphire Metallic / Black Leather 330i | 6MT | ZHP |

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Feb 2016
    Location
    Portland, Maine, USA area
    Posts
    840
    Thanks, folks. I have a bunch of P21 left over from when I ran Fuchs wheels, so that will be a good start.

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Nov 2012
    Location
    22841
    Posts
    9,921
    This is the after pic from using the Adam's products I posted above


    His - 2004 Imola Red / Alcantara 330i | 6MT | ZHP |

    Her's - 2005 Black Sapphire Metallic / Black Leather 330i | 6MT | ZHP |

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Jun 2011
    Location
    VA/DC
    Posts
    14,445

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Feb 2016
    Location
    Portland, Maine, USA area
    Posts
    840
    I think I'm sold


    Tapatalk / iPhone
    2006 6MT Coupe, Alpine White • Premium, Cold Weather and Xenon packages
    MFactory 3.38 LSD • 27mm M3 bar • ECS strut brace • Koni FSD's


    Other tweaks: see my profile




  10. #10
    Join Date
    Nov 2012
    Location
    22841
    Posts
    9,921
    Quote Originally Posted by Dual View Post
    I think I'm sold


    Tapatalk / iPhone
    I like the Adam's products. Not expensive and a good result.

    Simple to use.

    I sprayed down everything with all purpose cleaner, then agitated the dirt with a soft bristle brush in the hard spots then rinsed it off.

    Then dry it and apply the dressing.

    His - 2004 Imola Red / Alcantara 330i | 6MT | ZHP |

    Her's - 2005 Black Sapphire Metallic / Black Leather 330i | 6MT | ZHP |

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