Does anyone know of some good products or ideas of cleaning the engine compartment and all the parts under the hood. I have a ALTA intake and dont want to mess with the filter by powerwashing it. Also lots of dirt and dust over the years ( i am a second owner) has accumulated on the black parts. Please help!!

 

Be careful of the chemicals that you use to clean under the hood. The paint does not have clearcoat and can be washed away, as the previous owner of my 2004 proved. One owner has stated that he uses a 10% solution of Simple Green with success. There is a thread on this topic on another forum.

Good luck. A clean engine compartment makes one feel good when the hood goes up and makes tasks easier.

 

Thanks for the heads up I appreciate it. Do you happen to have the link to the simple green forum?

 

This forum wont allow posts to the other forum. google "simple green engine bay mini cooper".

First response

 

+1 on Simple Green solution. Don't turn the garden hose loose in the engine bay, too many electricals and electronicals that don't like water.

 

In close areas like an engine bay I like to use pre moistened wipes, the kind of stuff you would use to clean countertops/bathrooms etc. Some orange oil based ones do a good job on grease. I hate using Simple Green, don't like the smell and it often leaves a residue on things I've tried to clean. Any kind of cleaner is best sprayed or poured onto a rag or paper towel instead of being sprayed on.

 

I agree I almost always (oxymoron) spray onto rag first. I did however use the engine detail finisher directly on as it was stated in the directions and it came out great!

 

steam



runs $100 or so

steam cuts thru grease and oil and leaves no residue

I use a small steam cleaner on the engine of my 79 once a year

 

Cool, didn't know this one. We learn something new everyday!

 

if you buy a steam cleaner

spend the few cents and only use distilled water .... anything else leaves deposits in the heating chamber and speeds the unit failing .... same as an iron . . . in a pinch bottled water that is not spring water is fine too ... usually better (less minerals) than tap water

 

Steam cleaner or waterless engine detailing would be the safest and fastest way to clean your engine bay.

 

Thanks all, I had no idea about this but I feel smarter now

 

Ultima Waterless Wash + or Optimum No Rinse. Both are very mild and have a lot of lubricity. If you use them with a clean microfiber towel you'll be in great shape.

 

Many great suggestions, thanks!

 

If there is any aluminum under the hood suggest you stay away from Simple Green. Aluminum doesn't like simple green.

 

wait wah? Really?
I'm 2 show wins in on my R53 using simple green in the engine bay for the first pass cleaning. I''ve never heard or seen this (not disagreeing, just saying haven't seen it before)

 

from the FAQ page from Simple Green's website:


When used with caution and according to the instructions, Simple Green All-Purpose Cleaner has been safely and successfully used to clean aluminum. Simple Green All-Purpose Cleaner, Crystal Simple Green Industrial Cleaner & Degreaser, and Simple Green Pressure Washer Concentrates have been used on aircraft, automotive, industrial and consumer aluminum items for over 20 years. However, caution and common sense must be used: aluminum is a soft metal that easily corrodes with unprotected exposure to water. The aqueous-base and alkalinity of Simple Green All-Purpose Cleaner can accelerate the corrosion process. Therefore, contact times for unprotected or unpainted aluminum surfaces should be kept as brief as the job will allow - never for more than 10 minutes. Large cleaning jobs should be conducted in smaller-area stages to achieve lower contact time. Rinsing after cleaning should always be extremely thorough - paying special attention to flush out cracks and crevices to remove all Simple Green product residues. Unfinished, uncoated or unpainted aluminum cleaned with Simple Green products should receive some sort of protectant after cleaning to prevent oxidation.

Simple Green has also developed break-through water based cleaners that are safe for use on metals, plastics, rubber and high tech alloys. Extreme Simple Green Aircraft & Precision Cleaner, Pro Series Simple Green Automotive Cleaner, and Simple Green Pro HD are available on both the industrial and retail markets, respectively. These products were initially developed for the aircraft industry and extensive testing shows that they are safe and effective on a variety of metals and other sensitive surfaces even in the most extreme circumstances. Simple Green Stainless Steel One Step Cleaner & Polish is another option for cleaning polished aluminum. This product is designed for light duty metal cleaning and polishing.


Not saying you can't use it. Just be careful.

 

THIS!

Love that ONR!!

 

Thanks everyone! I have noted all you have said and ordered a few of the products, much appreciated!

 

If you want an easy, cheap product I would highly suggestion Adam's Polishes In & Out Spray. I swear by this stuff. All you need is this and a towel. You'll be amazed by the end result!

-Luccia

 

I can attest to Simple Green eating aluminum. A number of my customers did not believe me, so I put an aluminum bicycle seat post clamp in a jar of straight Simple Green and left it on my shop counter. In less than 2 weeks, all that was left was the steel binder bolt.

 

+1!!! I had a chevy s10 that I sprayed it on the aluminum heat shield, after a few weeks the shield was gone. It is very interesting.