Anyone tried steam cleaning engine bay?

[m3f_kyrix1st]

Got a steam cleaner lying around... Might try soon with battery off @electronics covered. Any tips would be appreciated!

[m3f_Braymond141]

Pressure washer will be more effective than the weak steam pressure. Don't get all tin foil hat on the electronics. They are extremely durable against water.


I pressure wash a dozens time a year since 2006.

[m3f_kyrix1st]

Pressure washer will be more effective than the weak steam pressure. Don't get all tin foil hat on the electronics. They are extremely durable against water.



I pressure wash a dozens time a year since 2006.

By pressure washer, do you mean the high pressurized water you can find on car washing places?



I also plan to wash the suspension of the car due to recent power steering hose blow up and I saw that steam cleaning is the most effective way to get oil residue off.

[m3f_bmwbob89]

Some Simple Green or similar product and a garden hose work just fine and don't get water where you don't want it. No need for steam or high pressure. You will wash any lubrication from hoses and such.

[m3f_Braymond141]

Pressure Washer - Google it.


There's no harm from pressure washing. Garden hose is not suitable for dirty bays or suspension.

[m3f_kusiobache]

Pressure Washer - Google it.


There's no harm from pressure washing. Garden hose is not suitable for dirty bays or suspension.

Garden hose and some engine cleaner chemicals are fine for cleaning a dirty bay. Not as easy as pressure washing, and perhaps not quite as effective, but it works well.

[m3f_Hasan Shaikh]

I have also been looking to clean the engine bay. Glad to know it can take a bit of pressurized water.

[m3f_Eric M3]

Technical Service Bulletins - Engine - High Pressure Steam Cleaning Warning



Group 12 Engine “ Electrical Bulletin Number 12 03 89 (1838) Woodcliff Lake, NJ March 1989, Technical Dept.



SUBJECT: High Pressure Engine Steam Cleaning, MODELS:All



Situation: High pressure engine steam cleaning can force cleaning solutions into the engine harness sheath and associated cables, causing unusual problems which otherwise would not have occurred.

The high quality BMW engine harness multiplugs and related sealing measures were never intended to be subjected to the discharge velocity and force of typical commercial steam cleaning units. Further, cleaning solutions used in conjunction with the high pressure discharge can leave corrosive, if not conductive, residues deep within the harness and cables.BMW engines are rarely so encrusted with automotive residues and dirt that normal low pressure degreasing methods fail to provide proper, efficient cleaning.

Clearly, high pressure engine steam cleaning is unnecessary and should be restricted to extreme cleaning jobs, i.e., commercial trucks, off road vehicles, etc



CONSEQUENTLY HIGH PRESSURE ENGINE STEAM CLEANING IS EXPRESSLY PROHIBITED FOR BMW ENGINES.



Typical BMW engine washing procedure:

1. Bring engine to operating temperature, switch engine off.



2. Cover or shield any component (AFM, ignition distributor, multiplugs etc.) situated in the area to be cleaned with plastic sheeting. Pieces of a "BMW Clean Kit" seat cover or the equivalent will provide adequate protection.



3. Apply engine degreaser or general engine cleaning solvent and allow to soak for up to five minutes (follow manufacturer's instructions).



4. Warm water spray the area to be cleaned, flushing the solvent and the contaminants loose.

Note:

- Do not aim the water spray directly at components.

- Do not use the waterspray any longer than necessary.

- Do not wash the entire engine compartment when only one area requires degreasing, e.g., front crankshaft radial seal, M20 oil filter replacement,etc.



5. Blow dry the cleaned area immediately with a moderate compressed air jet.

6. Start engine immediately and preferably road test vehicle.

[m3f_kusiobache]

1. Bring engine to operating temperature, switch engine off.


2. Cover or shield any component (AFM, ignition distributor, multiplugs etc.) situated in the area to be cleaned with plastic sheeting. Pieces of a "BMW Clean Kit" seat cover or the equivalent will provide adequate protection.


3. Apply engine degreaser or general engine cleaning solvent and allow to soak for up to five minutes (follow manufacturer's instructions).


4. Warm water spray the area to be cleaned, flushing the solvent and the contaminants loose.

I'm okay with covering components and not using pressure, but bring engine to operating temperature? I guess with using warm water it's probably alright, and maybe operating temperature loosens grime?


There's no concern about some kind of thermal shock though?


And thanks for sharing.

[m3f_vmbray]

The simple green product called "purple hd" is rated for aluminum and is pretty hardcore degreaser if used straight.

[m3f_englishtom1596q]

engine degreaser and a power washer. Never had a problem

[m3f_Nick325xiT 5spd]

I'm okay with covering components and not using pressure, but bring engine to operating temperature? I guess with using warm water it's probably alright, and maybe operating temperature loosens grime?


There's no concern about some kind of thermal shock though?


And thanks for sharing.

The point is to evaporate the water rapidly once you're done cleaning. Also, I've found that if the engine is hot, I don't get water spotting in the bay. Honestly not sure why the heat prevents water spotting, but it consistently does.

[m3f_bmwbob89]

Trust me on the garden hose. I've been doing this for 40+ years. Your not going to eat under there. It will be plenty clean and won't cause any issues. Clean it and take it for a drive to dry it off.

[m3f_Braymond141]

Clean it and take it for a drive to dry it off.

That is the worst advice here yet.


The 1989 technical bulletin doesn't apply here. These cars can take high (wide fan) pressure just fine. Use your head when it comes to spraying areas of concern (for example, if your coil cover leaks, don't fill spark plug holes full of water washing your engine...) Simple Green is a terrific product. Purple Power, even "aluminum safe" I learned the hard way to not trust (use caution if you do use it). You must dry after your wash to avoid water spots, especially in areas with hard water. Towel dry or use a leaf blower.


Super heated high pressure hard water leaves horrendous water spots almost immediately. Heat does not eliminate spotting at all (from the source or hot engine bay).


(E46 is just as applicable here as the electrical connectors are all roughly the same)

[m3f_Nick325xiT 5spd]

If I spray an engine bay cold, I get water spots. If I spray it warm, I don't get spotting. It's consistent, and the same water source.