[W288SH]

I live in a dusty area and typically wash each of my engines a few times a year. I use a low pressure water shower over the engine, then spray Adam's multi purpose cleaner, gently brush areas with packed dirt and then gently rinse with a low pressure shower setting. I then dry the engine and engine bay by pressing (no rubbing) towels on the wet surfaces. I then start the car and let it run for 10-15 mins to warm up and finish the drying.

This is my first (mild) hybrid of any kind. Are there any other precautions I should take because of the HV system?

Thanks!

[ScaldedDog]

You're talking about the mild hybrid of the 40i, right? I doubt there's much risk there, but I'm interested in other's thoughts on that.

I've been meaning to post the same question about the 45e, as it's under hood voltage is much higher.

Here's to clean engine bays!

Mark

[W288SH]

Originally Posted by ScaldedDog

You're talking about the mild hybrid of the 40i, right? I doubt there's much risk there, but I'm interested in other's thoughts on that.

I've been meaning to post the same question about the 45e, as it's under hood voltage is much higher.

Here's to clean engine bays!

Mark

Yes I have a mild hybrid 40i

[Marty in NY]

Originally Posted by W288SH

I live in a dusty area and typically wash each of my engines a few times a year. I use a low pressure water shower over the engine, then spray Adam's multi purpose cleaner, gently brush areas with packed dirt and then gently rinse with a low pressure shower setting. I then dry the engine and engine bay by pressing (no rubbing) towels on the wet surfaces. I then start the car and let it run for 10-15 mins to warm up and finish the drying.

This is my first (mild) hybrid of any kind. Are there any other precautions I should take because of the HV system?

Thanks!

I don't have the "e" but have always kept my engine bays clean. I don't use a pressure washer or hose, no way. I use a hand spray bottle of water and a damp towel, usually a Terry cloth towel or hand towel and sometimes a shop paper towel depending on what I need to clean. 95% of the time I spray the water on the towel, not the car. If you constantly keep it clean, that is all you really need. There are just way to many sensors, switches, fuse/relays, etc to be spraying anything more powerful than a hand bottle of water. Today's cars are always on, they don't turn off, just go into a sleep mode but are always watching certain sensors. If I spot grease/oil (heaven forbid) I will use a stronger cleaner but still I locally spray it or spray it on a shop towel. A couple times/year I will remove parts for better cleaning, like the engine cover, the air intake box, the plastic cowl up near the base of the windshield, etc. That allows me to really clean those plastic parts and apply a protectant to keep them new looking as well as to clean under where they were mounted. I also use a small detailing brush and my air compressor for hard to reach areas, followed by a damp cloth.

.

[chefwong]

I don't overthink it....

Spray, dwell, brush what I can brush.
Pressure wash knocks dirt that brush won't touch.
Leaf Blower.
Belts get wet and then may sound like ### when you crank her up but I just turn engine bay on, dress the plastics and then shut the engine off.

On the G05 N63, between the cover and just the front cladding, don't even see much just short of the 2-3 reservoirs exposed on the left/right side. It's pretty -flat- Not much nooks and crannies for access.

[ScaldedDog]

I think the OP's question, and mine, was is there anything special that needs to be covered or done with these cars that have 48v, or 300 and whatever, in the case of the 45e, when cleaning under the hood? I read in another thread that the 40i disconnects the 48v system when the hood is open, so that would seem to eliminate that risk, depending on what "disconnect" means. Not sure about the 45e.

Mark

[bubbahead]

I think only time I opened hood in my car past x5's was to install black grill.

[Guy Fleegman]

Originally Posted by bubbahead

I think only time I opened hood in my car past x5's was to install black grill.

The hood opens????

[Shllshck]

Wow Marty in NY! Very impressive.

[arRod1981]

Is washing the engine really an issue? I know back in the day this was, but is it now?

In PCD we learned and experienced first hand the X5 can wade through water that goes as deep as the top of the tire. Also, the bottom of the engine bay is open so driving through rain water is still getting in through the bottom and front intakes/air inlets at more than just a gentle spray pressure.

[kgelfen360]

Originally Posted by arRod1981

Is washing the engine really an issue? I know back in the day this was, but is it now?

In PCD we learned and experienced first hand the X5 can wade through water that goes as deep as the top of the tire. Also, the bottom of the engine bay is open so driving through rain water is still getting in through the bottom and front intakes/air inlets at more than just a gentle spray pressure.

Yea I think cars in AZ and other parts of southwest (had mine there) you get a lot of dust/dirt build up. It's everywhere so it is kind of nice to wash.
I use light pressure washing not super aggressive.

[eelnoraa]

I also don't concern too much. Just lightly spray and wipe. For oil build up, I use brake cleaner for the spots. I also have steam cleaner, but hardly ever use.

Here are three of my older cars.
03 E39: my collection, weekend driver, one I still take short road trip with family. Was once track car, but it is too heavy for fun.
05 E46: my daily driver now, my usual track car, perfect balance between hp, handling and daily drivability. More fun on track then my other more powerful cars
09 E82: wife’s daily driver and track car, faster than e39 M5 in most street and track conditions. Too easy to go fast, very little skill requires. Will probably sell since g05 become wife’s daily.

[arRod1981]

Originally Posted by kgelfen360

Yea I think cars in AZ and other parts of southwest (had mine there) you get a lot of dust/dirt build up. It's everywhere so it is kind of nice to wash.
I use light pressure washing not super aggressive.

No, I get what you are saying, and totally understand why people do it. My response was is it really an issue if someone does clean their engine because of what I listed.

Not knocking anyone listing precautions to not get water all over, but am curious why when the bottom of the engine bay is open/exposed and water enters through the front inlets/intakes.

[eelnoraa]

None of older my cars are hybrid, so cannot speak for the battery. But ICE only power train, not much concern. I won't and haven't used pressure washing tho, there are so many plastic, rubber, tension fit connections, pressure washing can easily knock them off.

For my 45e, I haven't has the need to wash engine bay yet, so will see what to do when that chance comes

[Marty in NY]

Wow, this topic didn't take long to get a lot of views and comments A friend called me yesterday and asked me to come over to help with a car issue. Upon opening the hood, it was so filthy that it was difficult to tell what was leaking and for how long. This is one of the reasons I have always kept a clean engine bay, plus, if I have to muck about in there unexpectedly, I don't want to get filthy in the process if I'm in good clothes. But basically, I just don't like a dirty anything and that's my basic motivation.

In terms of anything going wrong by getting the car wet, today's cars are fairly good at keeping water and moisture/condensation, out of places where it can do harm. Yeah, if you drive an X at the Performance Center, you will see they take you though some fairly deep standing water and you also see people driving through flooded streets on the national news. You wouldn't have faired so well doing that years ago. Today's designers have done a pretty decent job at understanding how water or vapor gets into places where it shouldn't, and in today's computers on wheels, there are a lot more of those places, and they have designed remedies.

However, I know that if I jump out of my second story window onto a mattress, I most likely will not die. Does that mean I want to do it deliberately? Why cause myself issues when I know there is a safe way to get downstairs?

[Chas8283]

Do others find the G05 gets very dirty under the hood? We've had two in this generation and I've been surprised how clean it stays. I usually wipe down with a damp cloth after drying the car a few times a year and it looks great. Admittedly, I'm not in a dusty environment, but I do plenty of driving in the rain and snow.

[gofast182]

There should be zero concern using a pressure washer under the hood. Everything that needs to be protected is. Modern alternators can practically run underwater and all wiring connections are tight enough that limited water exposure will have no effect whatsoever. Clean with confidence.

[eelnoraa]

Originally Posted by Chas8283

Do others find the G05 gets very dirty under the hood? We've had two in this generation and I've been surprised how clean it stays. I usually wipe down with a damp cloth after drying the car a few times a year and it looks great. Admittedly, I'm not in a dusty environment, but I do plenty of driving in the rain and snow.

So far, I think G05 is cleaner than my other BMWs. I think it maybe due to that active grille shutter. It is close most of the time, so less dust get into engine bay??

[Chas8283]

Originally Posted by eelnoraa

So far, I think G05 is cleaner than my other BMWs. I think it maybe due to that active grille shutter. It is close most of the time, so less dust get into engine bay??

I thought so too with our 40i but then we got an M, which doesn't have shutters, and it's still as clean so I have no clue.

[malvern_man]

I use a citrus apc diluted at 20:1 in a spray bottle, detailing brushes and some cheap microfibres for drying purposes then I finish off with Tenzi Motorplast.

From the Tenzi website....Professional liquid for coating of all engine bay elements. It creates a water repelling layer, that enhances colour and improves the look of metal and plastic parts. It is safe for elecrical installations. It has antistatic properties, therefore prevents dust settlement, and helps with drying. It can be used on dry and wet surfaces.

[W288SH]

Originally Posted by Chas8283

Do others find the G05 gets very dirty under the hood? We've had two in this generation and I've been surprised how clean it stays. I usually wipe down with a damp cloth after drying the car a few times a year and it looks great. Admittedly, I'm not in a dusty environment, but I do plenty of driving in the rain and snow.

I live in North Carolina. Have had my G05 for five weeks. The engine bay is covered with dust.

[Norbimmer]

Bringing this back to life.
I have cleaned the 45e engine with pressure washer and snow foam, brush, rinse and then KochChemie Motorplast on wet engine, close hood, looks amazing in a few hours when dried up. No issues so far, done it 3 times.

Of course use pressure washers with some caution, I keep a longer distance and sweep rather quickly side to side in order not to have high flow/pressure on one point.

Motorplast from KochChemie is an amazing product, so easy to use and result is great.