Cleaning the Engine Bay?

[AZ325Ci]

What's the best and safest way to clean the engine bay? What do you guys use to clean yours?

 

[vlad]

Depends how greasy the engine compartment is.

 

[wileycoyote]

I clean mine every couple of weeks. It's a good way to check for fluid leaks. With the engine cold, I use a little car wash soap in a spray bottle with water and squirt the dirty spots. I have a brush that has very long soft bristles (like a soft broom) to scrub an stuborn spots. I try not to get to much water on the computer and other electrical components, but a little splash won't hurt them. Once the top is clean I slide under with an old rag, brush and soapy water and clean around the oil pan and bottom of engine block, suspension components, etc. The dealer almost always drips oil on something when chaning the oil, so I try to do this right after an oil change. Once the oil gets cooked on, it's really hard to remove. Then, back to the top to it rinse it off with water. Using an old towel, I dry as much of the parts as I can reach, carefull not to knock an wires or hoses loose.

 

[halfnhalf325]

i was told to use simple green and a soft toothbrush, i havent tried any becasue i dont wanna get water on anything. very paranoid.