Safest Way To Clean Your Engine Bay Without a Pressure Washer

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#forensicdetailing #detailing

[@YorkyFromFax]

Mate, your garage is stacked with goodies. 👍

[@COPD_REHAB_GUY]

Can’t wait to see the after from when you got it. I would love to see the expression on the guys face you bought it off. Not being nasty it just shows what can be achieved with a bit of time and effort.

[@demelitia]

Haven’t finished the video yet, just at the part where you’re using the toothbrush along the bonnet shut. If you find you’re ever struggling to get in and clean something with a straight handled brush, I find having a pack of cheap toothbrushes is ideal. You can use a source of heat to melt the handle up near the head, twist it in to the shape you need and then hold it in place whilst it cools. I’ve got a box of them in the garage and they’re always useful.

[@ForensicDetailing]

ive got all sorts of little brushes.. see later on in this video the little one I use white thing. that you can bend, its like a mini mini EZ wheel brush but its got like a cone on one end and you can bend it.. thats really hand for all the little bits.

[@Codriver72]

I love this type of videos where you can follow a project. Of course I love the extensive product testings going on aswell. Happy to be able to follow your work Sir.

[@ForensicDetailing]

thanks mate

[@ericglass952]

John what a great start to a good series of videos to come on this car i hope well done

[@DiiZeh_]

Surfex HD is simply outstanding! Wouldn’t be without it!👌🏻

[@ForensicDetailing]

more you use it the more you realise how good it is. even cleaning out pads its better than other APC's. Its not overly foamy under contact but I find its less prone to leaving residue. ITs awesome at very very low concentrations for interior wipe downs. works well in the pump foamers at 10:1 for engine bays and wheels... icing on top its non caustic, safe bio degradble. Highly concentrated and very very good value for money.

[@simmytheman9444]

How long does these products last on a shelf?

[@philtanswell1378]

lovin this new project Jon, fab!

[@stephenrolfe6484]

I love how excited you are over mud 👍👍👍 love your vids . All the best steve

[@androidtv172]

Awesome job, you definitely have attention to detail. Loved the video!!

[@djblitz1983]

Water in the boot is generally the rear light, NSR. It is a sealed unit. The glue holding the light together deteriorates/splits over time allowing rain/water to run into the whole casing. At the back of the headlight, there is space for water to exit the light and get into the boot while being splashed about when driving. This is why you commonly see E46's with the LED rear lights have a couple of LED's blown nearer the bottom. This is because the water gets splashed onto the circuit board itself, corroding the solder points. Ask me how I know!!! :)

[@markmoore6264]

Nice progress on tidying the engine bay , looking forward to more updates .

[@bigmacsnoobselectronicsrep8032]

Fantastic video as always what more can you expect from this guy 👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼

[@stubbk3]

so stoked for this series.. keep trying with mine but it lives outside, cleaned this week stayed clean and dry for less than two hours,, uk weather without a garage sucks

[@demelitia]

Another thing to check; if that’s the DME (ecu) box up by the firewall on the passengers side, the rubber seal around the lid can fail. The box has a drain hole at the bottom and the electronics should be suspended. In theory you’ll never have an issue; in reality the mucky water getting in gets dried out by engine heat leaving behind the grit and dirt in it. This blocks the drain hole and you can end up with a submerged ecu after washing or extended periods of rain. Ask me how I know....

[@ethompson5061]

Thought that bonnet was gonna clip the garage door for a sec there lol.. great vid as always

[@iMagic16]

The DVD player is actually the computer for the Satnav/Radio! it holds the map disk, and the radio won't work without it... you'll be in a "blue screen" safe mode with basically no features

[@ForensicDetailing]

I think I have this thing working now Magic. By the way the Television its analogue right so it wont actually work now analogue is gone? is there any fix for it. I just get the black a white dots

[@jackelliott8961]

Bloody love surfex hd, brilliant videos love watching !

[@timstinson1]

Thanks for the video, I’m a big fan of Surfex HD, always good to get expert opinion on dilution rates! Thanks👍. Would be interested if you do any cleaning of the underside of the rear subframe etc. I was wondering if Surfex would strip off under seal wax? Would you ever use a vacuum cleaner on blow for doin* under the bonnet to use the warm air to blow the water away? Loving these project style videos!

[@berczigabor]

Great video, as always

[@davonpointer2310]

I found this video so satisfying! Will good to see the progression with this BMW 👍🏼

[@ForensicDetailing]

awesome davon thank you mate

[@madshagberg5287]

It´s so cool that you decided to get an e46. It has to my all time favourite BMW.

[@Oliver-fp4xf]

Regarding water in the boot, check the rear light seals haven't split or perished. Another great video 👌

[@wolfgangbru5935]

So relaxing...

[@Wozzer77]

looking good John! seems you've had better weather then we have had here!👍

[@ForensicDetailing]

its now getting wet and windy in the UK and the cold months approach.. gonna suck to detail now but at least water spot risk goes.

[@gsmini1749]

Boom, this will be a good one👍👍

[@PhilDiasPJD]

Hi Jon. Really enjoyable as ever. Just got 5l of surfex HD. Just shows you how powerful it is only using 10:1. Would you ever go stronger?

[@klasseact6663]

This is going to be fun to watch come along but by the time your done it's going to be time to put it up for the season 😋

[@ForensicDetailing]

its a lot of work my friend yer.. but Ive made good progress. this video is delayed as I type this ive done lots of the fixes on the car now.

[@davepuffett8608]

Great job! Isn’t Surfex just the best! 👍

[@ketillundsrensen6167]

Nice video. I appreciate your efforts. Nice to know you will continuing cleaning the engine bay. I find that it's is easy to use a TIG welding material stick to poke a hole in the drain channels up with the windscreen. And work frome the top and the bottom indtil it can go all the way and then blow it clean with a airline. Before cleaning. But as a good first stage clean it's a super nice job

[@delukxy]

Beware of being too heavy when trying to stick something down the drain tubes. I use thin brass brazing rod because I had some. Works well but if the drain has a rubber hose between the fixed metal tube at the top and then goes down to another metal tube at the bottom you can stick the wire through the side of the hose. Not good! Also if you have a blockage, even a partial one, an airline can blow the hose off the metal tubes. Drains are a pain.!!!

[@ketillundsrensen6167]

@@delukxy I usually bend the Rod (use aluminum rods due to its flexibility) so it's have rounded end. And instead of pushing hard Og twist it so it's going to shovel the dirt lose. But yes you always have to be a bit careful. Sometimes I take Som duck tap and a 10-12mm(or bigger if the drain alow it) hose on the vacuum cleaner so take the worst out

[@volvot5boy]

I reeeaaaaally want your garage👍

[@saiiiiiii1]

Cleaning engine bays is the most statisfying thing about detailing for me. So much results with so little effort.

[@kikcodog]

Not sure if you did Jon it but it's a really good idea to use a leaf blower to blow all the water out of the engine bay after you've cleaned it and then start it and bring the engine up to temperature to burn off whatever's left.

[@ForensicDetailing]

I was a naughty boy with this.. no realy drying other that wipe down with cloths.. not sure why. its just sort of so damn dirty I need to go again later I think and dress it out better as well. but I can work on the engine now with out getting insta black hands.

[@2500mike]

What a difference 👍

[@jrooney06]

Re bonnet, It’s rusted in those points because it wasn’t hemmed properly on the hemming press and water is prone to getting in behind the hem and the bead of sealer which is a bit of a pain in arse. I spent my time curing this for a well know British car manufacturer. Not fun.

[@giovannigallo8429]

Keep it up!!

[@kokoloko12398]

As engine dressing you could try the Koch Chemie Motor Plast 😉

[@gmans7859]

Nice Job. I like that work. My Back certaining doesn't. I'm the goof that enjoys cleaning Wheels too.That Tape,depends on what your doing, what car, etc. It's called 'Tesa Tape'. I remember when I worked for Ford Lincoln Mercury Dealership we would get Re-Call Kits with a whole roll in it and I would pinch what was left to use on my old car projects... :) Cloth type stuff you find in Interiors under the dash, inside doors and the like.

[@darvaish4552]

thanks for all your videos, have subscribed. my car engine bay and engine is full of water marks and dirt, what would you suggest to wash it? your reply will be a great help. your videos are already a great help

[@ForensicDetailing]

Thanks for the sub!

[@nickaf5262]

Have you every tried or tested chrome northwest products thanks

[@noeking9095]

Would it been better if you used a pressure washer on mid setting to blast the dirt off or would that be too much pressure?

[@Jahmed5635]

Is there any pages that sell car detailing stuff cheap/ what other people don’t need anymore ?? Thanks in advance guys

[@heartofdixie8766]

Dude love the videos. Loking to get some Hamber products in the U. S. Would love to pick your brain about somethings.

[@weewhiskydram1294]

Wouldn’t mind seeing a jet wash engine bay clean video, maybe on the M140i ;) Always weary about doing mine but I keep getting told that modern engines can stand up to the water.

[@kwl189]

Just avoid the alternator and battery and you’re all good to go.

[@dancairns6223]

Got a link for that wiring loom tape? Cheers

[@delukxy]

After you've done the rusty bonnet lip, spray between the skins with Bilt Hamber Dynax S-50. You won't get to all of the rust inside when you do the repair but the spray will seal it all. Better than Waxoyl.

[@samwilliams1101]

I remember years ago on an old episode of top gear that one of these special edition BMWs had a cardboard boot floor for added lightness don't know if it's true or not.

[@ForensicDetailing]

M3 CSL. Its true yer.. wow would not mind one of those they are worth a lot of money now.

[@aquatics117]

Hi Jon, you said about degreasing and regreasing, how would I know what needs regreasing after cleaning and what with?

[@ForensicDetailing]

any componnent with thick grease on it basically ben (or any maintenance lubrication). those these bonnet springs are greased and so are the base holes. these springs and latches and door hinges are the main areas you might accidently "degrease" and need to regrease.

[@judgedead7182]

look for a local company that does hydroblasting for the rusty parts place near me does it and hes blasted way worse parts with plastic bits on it and it comes up brand new also rear boot leak im sure is the boot seal going weak or the rear lights :)

[@jamoco1]

ref your last vid on the car look up 50s kid on you tube for info on your engine. They are notorious for vacuum leaks. keep up the good work

[@ForensicDetailing]

yer been watching them his videos been a huge help.

[@TeslaWorld]

John, do you know the dimensions of your garage? Keep up the good work!! Thanks for the time and effort that you put into your videos.

[@ForensicDetailing]

oh jeeeze I did have it written down. Its something like 5 meters longs and like 5.20 wide. something like this.

[@ForensicDetailing]

those white wick double doors are one meter exactly so 5 of them along the left wall. plus tiny bit on end.

[@TeslaWorld]

Forensic Detailing Channel thank you!

[@lincolnthinking]

an awful lot of circle brush strokes around 2 to 5 inches each time ~ it appears that you worked the 10% Surf X cleaning solution on the entire surrounding edges of the bay around t(not yet doing) he engine all in one long scrub down session ~ wouldn't it have been better to limit yourself to an area, say of one half per session, then given some allotted time for the chemical to work loose the grime, move on with the all important rinse before going off to tackle the other half ? no doubt, after all that labor of love, a grand improvement in a clean engine compartment, great job ~

[@dj_paultuk7052]

Knowing you like your music, im surprise you have not kitted out your Garage with a killer sound system. To blast tunes while you work. I would if i had a garage like yours !.

[@ForensicDetailing]

I got a little radio :) I think a good sound system would get hammered in the garage it can get cold and humid in here.

[@kieranjohnston1902]

Great results. Bit of a random question, but where did you get your plastic draws/storage from? I've been looking for some new ones, and want tall ones like yours but can't find them taller than 6 draws anywhere.

[@ForensicDetailing]

wilko and/or BandQ 11 quid 4 draw units.. can be stacked.

[@kieranjohnston1902]

@@ForensicDetailing Ah fab thanks, now I feel a bit stupid - how did I not think to stack them 😂

[@chrisg4rr377]

@@kieranjohnston1902 haha

[@willoverkill]

11:30 Oh I hope that hood clears, I hope it clears, I hope it clears, *holds breathe*.....

[@TerrificFlow]

If you have some rusty looking bolt and nuts, apart from using stronger chemicals like from bilt hamber, you can use apple cider vinegar and let them soak in a plastic container for 1 or 2 days. Then rinse them, dry them and soak them in wd40 to protect them. Or better paint them with black exterior paint. Most of bolts and nuts will come back looking better.

[@demelitia]

Or get friendly with your local platers; take a bucket of bits around and you can get them stripped and black phosphate/oxide coated for not much at all. Cold blueing is also an option for certain parts. Another option is just going to your local dealership. Most bmw fasteners are kept in common through the years; they’ll probably have them in stock already for pennies. Most come in packs of 10 or so. You’ll kick yourself if you spend hours cleaning nuts and bolts up and then find you can replace every visible fastener under the bonnet for £30.

[@TerrificFlow]

@@demelitia Not easy to get each bolt specific for some part of the car, and order them with the right number etc.. And if it's just surface rust you don't have to replace them. Local platers are a good way to get them clean but it's not something you find at every corner, at least where i'm from

[@demelitia]

TerrificFlow for sure, some of them are car specific, lots aren’t though. I saw quite a few in the video that are still in use in the same places for current models. If your local parts counter staff are experienced they’ll know exactly what you need in short order.

[@BK-mj5lo]

What do you do for a living?

[@rossbeake5779]

The thought of cleaning my engine bay scares the shit out of me

[@waynefromcanada]

Jon, what or who was the music in the video. That was good. Please list it.

[@Phoenix-wl5or]

waynefromcanada exactly what I wanna know

[@edruiz6364]

I would like to see Jon make his own music. Originality, there! 👍

[@diopsidem5]

waynefromcanada Wildflowers & easton - crazy for you

[@waynefromcanada]

Nick M. Thanks man! Just downloaded it. 😂

[@s10lucky]

Fantastic. Also downloaded it 👍

[@morganmorris2698]

How long do you think this project is going to take, will be nice to see it getting restored

[@ForensicDetailing]

perhaps by the end of this week I will have done all the things I can do. Im then at the stage where I need a bodyshop and a wheel refurb.. then car is done. hmm sounds too good to be true

[@paolopanetta10011]

Great video Jon, but can you tum up the audio please...way too low to hear unless i'n in a completely silent environment.

[@nicknackgtb]

For surfex when diluted, is there any type of expiration on it? I dilute down for items generally but find it useless on tyres if diluted, and generally go back to straight out of the bottle. Do you find you have to keep making up new mixes of it? Also for tyres, what would you recommend doing, using surfex, 1 to 10 or just neat?

[@ForensicDetailing]

10:1 mate. I dont find it expries. maybe give it a shake before you use it.. who knows the surfactants might sink to the bottem or something.

[@nicknackgtb]

@@ForensicDetailing cool cheers john. Just to be clear, 10 parts water to 1 part surfex? 😂 just feel theres not enough oomph in it to clean tyres, find myself going at them 2 or 3 times then to get them good!

[@bigstrongrobertmcbuilt3209]

What's the background music during the first part?

[@diopsidem5]

Robert Jardine Wildflowers & Easton - Crazy for you

[@Frybrainzr1]

@@diopsidem5 thanks Nick

[@maxburg4817]

Ah Jon, I see you like to use the Fonejacker DoooVD ploy... 😂👍🏼

[@ForensicDetailing]

love phone jacker that guy is hilarious :)

[@maxburg4817]

Forensic Detailing Channel Yes, brilliant... Love the Bentley dealership scenario... 👍🏼

[@BH-tp3pm]

Jon, you should give Seth lakeman a listen. I thought this was one of his songs when it started playing. Similar in some aspects. Think you'd like some of his music. Nice guy too!

[@ForensicDetailing]

hes a very talented guy, mega cool muscian.

[@BH-tp3pm]

@@ForensicDetailing oh you've heard his stuff. Great! He is, really talented guy. Always on the old Chang but what musician isn't these days.

[@declanedwards1827]

If the water is in the battery tray, just remove battery and clean out properly, they do have drain plugs at the bottom

[@dj_paultuk7052]

Be careful spraying water around the BMW Fuse boxes and ECU large black enclosure. I used to have a 5 series and 1 winter it failed to start. Figured it was getting no spark. Unscrewed the cover from the engine ECU box and it was half full of water !. Had to disconnect the battery, remove the ecu's. Take the ecu's apart and put the PCB's in the airing cupboard to dry out. And unblocked the drainage hole in the box. Thankfully once the circuit boards were dry and all re-assembled she started right up.

[@ForensicDetailing]

thanks paul. great point yer I need to check the intgrity of that computer housing

[@jintarokensei3308]

Gloves bro 😋

[@Audittr2108]

You’re going to feel so much better once you’ve given the car a thorough external wash and decontamination!

[@stephenwhitemore1719]

Couple of hours to clean, several days to get running again . Plastic bags over every black box, and never, never spray water over a car engine. Disconnect battery befor you start. if you are going to spray water everywere . The mind boggles

[@mattblackledge9068]

I'd stick to tessa harness tape. Not heard of that brand. Some of the knock off ones have been found to be flammable or contain asbestos. Tessa tape is about a fiver a roll.

[@ForensicDetailing]

this stuff is heat proof. I think its ok. but I love little recomendations like this ill go tessa tape when I run out cheers matt

[@wesley1773]

Sounds like it could be Reg singing on the song playing.

[@Christophergriffiths1972]

Still looks loads better though mate. The Mrs didn’t disturb you this time? 😂

[@ForensicDetailing]

shes always distribubing me mate. :)

[@Christophergriffiths1972]

Forensic Detailing Channel 😂😂😂

[@greengrass9572]

I want a man cave like that! 😜

[@Frybrainzr1]

Enjoyed the video,who is the musical artist playing?

[@ForensicDetailing]

Robert Jardine Wildflowers & Easton - Crazy for you

[@user-tj6gv9ws3o]

U should upgrade the rear lights to the newer facelift ones

[@ForensicDetailing]

I think this car needs to be kept pre facelift in its entirity. Its got some like non OEM side lights and indicator lights that need to be reverted as well. going for full OEM look.

[@user-tj6gv9ws3o]

Nice, i have an e46 of my own too, lovely looking cars

[@michaelhall9138]

So.... Is that your wife's toothbrush? Did you tell her you what you were doing with it? 😂😂

[@zJasu]

Moments before destruction!

[@steveearle9678]

What's the "Crazy for You" song please?

[@JimmyG91]

I also would like to know.

[@iMagic16]

Water in boot = tail light seals, there are plugs at the bottom of the boot that are probably plugged.

[@ForensicDetailing]

i dont think its the tail light seals magic. Ive been trying to diagnose this along with about 50 other problems. but I dont think its the tail light seal. ininitially i did think it was this. really stuck on this fault. only other thing is boot seal but that kind of looks ok.

[@leeford4854]

You didn’t just smear all that engine grime over your headlights did you???? At 7 minutes 20. Love the vid by the way buddy, I do enjoy a good engine bay clean sesh.

[@sparkeli4513]

John, I have a very important question to ask... Have you ever rolled your car out like that and forgot to put the handbrake on? 👀

[@ForensicDetailing]

yes! :)

[@82Bjarni]

nice videos, i think your belt is broken :-)

[@iMagic16]

M54 will treat you right as long as you treat it right

[@ChazR25]

I thought you lived in the UK? What's up with that palm tree across the street?!

[@Thecarman1994]

I wonder how many of us have wheelie bin benches ?

[@arbarthmander]

Water in boot is probley rear light's seals

[@ForensicDetailing]

Jor, I thought this too, and also thoguht I had fixed it.. thought I had it fixed but I dont think its the light seals. its another one of the 500 problems I had. I think it might be a gap in the door seal. I talk about this in follow up vids.. but its proving a challenge :)

[@gjt2209]

@@ForensicDetailing I remember on Wheeler Dealers or Car SOS a difficult to find rain water leak was found with a smoke generator.

[@gordon238]

Is the water in the battery box? Had this on my M3 and everyone said the lights but the seals looked really good. Eventually got some knock off lights from ebay and cured the problem.@@ForensicDetailing

[@kidsstudynow6901]

With a pressure washer and purple stuff spray....I would have been done ...

[@carbonconnection2480]

Why are brits so crazy about BMW's? Not saying us Americans don't like them but it seems like Brits are super wild over them.

[@ForensicDetailing]

in Europe handeling is really important. in terms of mid range saloons which is still what most blokes want. Its a fight off between 3 series, a4, c class. none of the other saloons on offer have the build quality of the german motors, or the pedigree. But BMW edges it on handling. BMW has some bonkers engines as well and they look good. E46 is a real classic car an all time icon. Everyone should own an E46 M3 at some point in their lives just to experience that engine on a track. M140 as well been a huge hit in the UK for BMW. totally bonkers rear wheel drive hot hatch, with stonking power and torque and you can get it 20 grand and map it to sub 4 second 0-6 for not too much money. The difference with the M140 and ANY other hatchback is the fun factor of all that torque and power in the rear axel. golf and audi feel a bit dead in comparison (not in power though) Go to the nurburg ring and see how many roll around in e36/46/90's compared to audi's and mercs. The fun factor is in the handling of the cars. E90 m3 has to be the most used track on the ring i would say. followed by e46. Audi and Merc have managed to get some success by I still think BMW is the "drivers" car choice. kind of.. dunno theres some epic old mercs and audis I would love to explore more as well. Top gear once said that to be a true petrolhead you have had to owned an Alfa Romeo. True perhaps but they need to add BMW to that list as well.

[@carbonconnection2480]

@@ForensicDetailing. I've had my share of M3's.. I used to work for BMW years ago and naturally I got decent deals on them so I tried to keep me a fresh M3 🤣 I've always been about the BMW but not many Americans are. They may drive a bmw but really don't know what the hell they have.

[@oliverloseby4966]

Cleaner than my nan

[@williambuxton8223]

Don't clean the bonnet catch

[@langleyups]

u need a proper pressure washer if u want to get a clean engine bay

[@ForensicDetailing]

I know what you mean, good pre soak and blast out..

[@cathywymark328]

haha state of it!

[@AlbionSupreme]

BAD car owner