[oldtexasdog]

What is the best way to clean the engine and bay area. Just want to be safe my M550

[oldtexasdog]

No one cleans there engine?

[DrSteveB]

This response will likely trigger a swarm of replies so I have donned my helmet and armored motorcycle gear in anticipation.

Here goes:

I start the engine and leave it running during and after this process.

Before the engine is warm, I use the "soap" attachment on my pressure washer and spray everything with car wash soap in the reservoir - making sure nothing dries and that all surfaces I can get to are soaped up and nothing dries before moving to the next step.

Next, I use the 45º (I think) attachment and carefully rinse everything I can get to which is quite a bit. I adjust the distance and duration of the pressure washer tip from each engine part, depending on what the part is - use your judgment.

I let the engine run until everything is dry.

That's it!

I have been doing this long before there were pressure washers (maybe 50 years) and never had a problem or experienced a bad outcome.

[admranger]

Just don’t spray chemicals or water directly at the electrical connectors and don’t spray water on a hot engine and you’ll be ok.

I just used all purpose cleaner on a rag and clean it that way and then rinse after cleaning. Starting the engine and letting it get hot is a good idea to help drive off any wayward moisture.

[silverydragon72]

My detailer does mine once a year when they are doing the ceramic coating Maintenace.

[jiggyboiswagg]

Steam Clean, just had my 2021 x5 done by a detailer.

[jsf721]

Polish angel Engine is my foto product. It’s a mild cleaner and protectant all in one.

[Joe-BMW33]

I just use my oldest MF cloths and the correct products for cleaning and finishing. P&S cleaner for any grime sprayed directly on the cloth and Duragloss Vinyl Dressing for the plastics and Car Pro Perl (uncut) for the rubbers.

Key is to keep up with it and you will never need to steam it, douse it or soak it.