Cleaning engine bay - how do you folks do it and what products/technique do you use?

[Cobra Jet]

I have cleaned many engine bays in the past w/ no issues on my prior Mustangs, Explorer, E36 M3, Land Cruiser, Jeep Wrangler & Broncos.  

My method is:

1) hose down engine bay

2) spraying entire engine bay w/ Simple Green and allow it to sit for approx. 10-15 mins to soak off any road grime.

3) get a bucket of regular car wash and long brush.  Using the brush & car wash mix, I would then clean all areas of under the hood, inner fenders, top of strut towers, top of engine and anything else I could reach within the engine bay.

4) rinse entire engine bay

5) start vehicle, close hood & allow to dry off

Since this is my first E30 318, how do you folks clean up the engine bays on your rides?  Do you have to cover the coil packs, or don't worry about them?  

Are there really any special areas to watch out for on the 318/M42 as far as getting wet?  My guess is that I can clean this engine bay as I have done with my other past & current vehicles, but I wanted to check in here first to see how some of you go about detailing/cleaning your engine bays.

What products do you use?

What is your method/technique?

[n2motorsports]

i generally do it as you described for regular upkeep.  but for the heavily stained areas, i take it to a self wash and pressure wash the problem areas...just make sure to cover the electricals/alt/compressor.

[txleadfoot]

My M42 spark plug wells seem to collect moisture after I use a pressure washer, which causes spark misfires galore.  Consequently, I use compressed air to blow it out.

[bmwpower]

You need to clean the engine bay already?

[ChItalian1027]

damn i really don't know what u should look out for i'd say what the others said.

[n2motorsports]

My M42 spark plug wells seem to collect moisture after I use a pressure washer, which causes spark misfires galore.  Consequently, I use compressed air to blow it out.

dont' spray the valve cover!!!

[AcSchnitzer318is]

I know this is a very old thread, but thought this might help some of you.  Best way I've found to clean the engine bay is:

1: Drive car around til engine is up to operating temperature.  Take the opportunity to go buy Black Magic 2-in-1 Engine Shine.
2: Get home, pop hood, and spray the product EVERYWHERE in the engine bay, especially really dirty/built up areas.
3.  Let sit for 10 minutes with hood closed.
4.  Spray off engine bay with low to medium pressure hose jet.
5.  Drive around for 10 of so minutes to allow everything to dry.  
6.  Pop your hood and admire the beauty.  
7.  I do this step for shows... grab regular Armor All Original and spray it EVERYWHERE, hoses metal, everything.  Don't do this on a regular basis unless you want to clean your engine bay once a month, because the Armor All will attract tons of dust.
8.  Cose hood and wash the rest of your car because you will have probably gotten armor all on the fenders/windshield.

That's it... NO scrubbing, washing, etc... easiest and best engine detail short of disassembling everything and cleaning.  I use this process once every couple of months.

[318isfolife]

yeah you can take diluted spray nine spray everywhere. clean with low/ medium pressure hose. then disconnect from water spray just pressurized air to dry. WD-40 everything. (elec. connectors for sure.)  start it up with hood closed let it run until warm wd-40 will burn off.  then drive. i do it everyday all day long when servicing the hondas and toyotas in the shop and about once every other oil change in the 318is. never had a problem.