Washing engine?

Are there any special concerns with washing the engine in the X3? I ask because my Ford Truck would collect water in the spark plug pockets as a result of cleaning the engine and ultimiately short out the coil packs. Needless to say, the old 5.4L in that truck is pretty dirty now, but hasn't skipped a beat since I last replaced the coil packs.

Any info is appreciated. Thanks, Darren.

As far as I know, no. I have seen my X3's engine being washed at dealership and they did not take any extra precautions, just soap it up gently with a soft sponge and rinse. However, I would definitely be cautious around electrical equipment if I was doing it myself.

I wash the engines in all of my vehicles every 6 months. Surprisingly I use Spray 409 kitchen cleanser, it is after all a degreaser. Why use the expensive stuff at auto stores when this will do a great job. I warm the engine enough to get it warm NOT HOT. I use a cheap paint brush to get into the tough spots and even the underneath of the hood. I then spray it down carefully with the garden hose (Spray NOT DELUGE) then repeat. I then use my compressor and blow it off and let the sun dry it for a while and its brand new again and smells pretty good too. Amazing.

Concerning my previous post, do excersize caution around the electircal devices. Just try not to get them too wet.