Hi all,

Just wanted to ask about this, my engine was perfectly clean and looking nice. Been driving quite a bit and popped the hood to show to a friend today and there was dirt/sand all over the place gathering in any spot it could settle.

Been only driving on pavement, and I am in colorado where most of the winter sand hs been washed away by rain so I wanted to ask if this is common on Mini's?

It's nothing big, just a shop vaccuming and done, but I was just curious if it is common.

Thanks much!

 

Common problem to all cars. Just wash it down.

 

There are little spaces in the black trim along the wheel well where stuff sneaks thru just to annoy the likes of us. A spray bottle with a very thin cleanser solution and a lint free rag seems to be the only defense. At least that's how I go after the problem. Then there are those who care not and show off engine bays that could support a winter crop.

 

Cool, I can live with that, was jsut weird how it was jsut suddenly there....poof! lol

 

Too much work. Simple Green and a hose takes half the time and does the same if not better.

 

As long as it drives well, it's fine. I wash my car fairly frequently, but the only time anything under the hood looks clean is if I added something new.

 

some folks were using these for a while..either from WMW, M7 or homemade...(on gen1 cars).
they seemed to help...but I think most folks kinda gave up, and accepted the sand/dirt!!

http://www.waymotorworks.com/fibergl....html?&cat=261

 

Therein lies the differences in levels of OCDness which explains the differences in the amount of sparkle under the bonnet. That as opposed to the Detroit iron parked alongside that looks like a 4H project under its hood.

 

Therein lies the differences in OCDness which could explain the differences in sparkle under the bonnet. A big difference is under the hood of the Detroit iron parked alongside which could support a 4H project.

 

If you drive a later model S, there are small openings in the hood scoop that will allow dirt into the engine bay as well. I just wipe mine down with an all purpose cleaner, like Fast Orange or Simple Green, and a rag every time I wash my car.

 

The engine bay is obviously not a sealed compartment, and is open at the bottom. Road spray from vehicles in front of you, dust, etc. can easily make their way into the engine bay.