I am putting this in the R56/2nd generation as that is what I have and heres my question. Does anyone clean their engine. When I clean the rest of the car I open the bonnet and remove any left over water and I see the dust all over the engine. Can I take a high pressure sprayer and hose off the engine. I know not to point it to close to any one component or should I not even chance it.

 

Unless you are not going to drive the car right away,i would not hose it off,because it may not start.This is just my common sense approach to this problem of a dirty engine bay.Q

 

I always wonder what they mean by engine clean option at a self clean car wash...
but I would like cealn engine bay too... :-)

 

Amazonracer,
Check out the Detailing forum and pose the same question there. Plenty of experts there to help you out.

 

I got this tip from a mechanic several years ago and has served me well:

Lightly spray engine compartment with water from hose. Next spray compartment with diluted Simple Green. Wait a minute or two and rinse with hose. Repeat as necessary. Wipe with a cloth afterwards if you like. The engine compartment will be very clean and Simple Green is environment-friendly. As long as you do this regularly, there is no need for scrubbing.

I have done this with all of my cars with no ill effects and definitely helps with resale (not that you would ever sell a MINI ). YMMV

 

Well, you beat me to it. I have always done this about once a month. Only difference is I don't dilute the Simple Green. I spray on a lot, (a lot!) and scrub the stubborn spots with a brush.

Use a mist to rinse the water. I don't know the exact spec but obviously engines are designed to get wet and resist water. Something about high volume and low pressure (i.e. puddles). I've never had any problems and the engine compartment stays extremely clean

 

When I was in high school auto shop (in a previous millennia) we used to take our cars down to a certain car wash and steam clean the engine and undercarriage.

 

I use the Simple Green method described above. It works wonders. I use low pressure water, and don't get too much around electrical connections, but that likely just over-precaution.