[adamf30e90]

Hi all,

2016 BMW 328i base w/ sport package and Dinan tuning 46k mileage

I made a rookie mistake. My engine bay was extremely dirty so I went to a small car wash and had them clean it. Little did I know, they opened the hood and used a pressure washer to clean it from top and sides. They did not open any components. I understand anything under the hood should be tolerable to water but it was washed with pressure hose.

My question is.. the car drives great and it's been 400-500 miles since this occurred. Should I be extra careful and attempt to WF40 some parts of what's visible from the hood to lubricate? Or should I just leave as is.. again no issues but I am just paranoid.

Thanks
And yea, I feel like a complete idiot!

[Billfitz]

Spray WD40 on all the electrical connectors, otherwise you're good. Are you sure it was a pressure wash? It might have been steam, to get grease off.

[orbE46]

You'll be fine. While it's not ideal to use a pressure washer in the engine bay, everything is sealed up with gaskets including the wire connections.

[adamf30e90]

Originally Posted by Billfitz

Spray WD40 on all the electrical connectors, otherwise you're good. Are you sure it was a pressure wash? It might have been steam, to get grease off.

Thanks buddy!

[adamf30e90]

Originally Posted by orbE46

You'll be fine. While it's not ideal to use a pressure washer in the engine bay, everything is sealed up with gaskets including the wire connections.

Thanks!

[328iX]

It's perfectly fine, even to use a pressure washer from a distance and not focus on any one spot, your engine running perfectly is testament to that.

[Billfitz]

Originally Posted by orbE46

everything is sealed up with gaskets including the wire connections.

If you look closely at the wire plugs on some of them you can see where the wire mates the connectors. In theory it's all waterproof/non-corrosive, but a spritz of WD40 can't hurt.

[dmaxdmax]

I don't understand. You got your engine cleaned and it runs fine afterward...so it's not terrible at all, OP.

The car 'is' made to run in the rain...water comes through the evaporator and radiator...used to be cars didn't have much in the way of underskirts...water would douse the engine.

I rinse my engine...when it's cold. If it's an old POS, I'd probably do it while it's running so I'd get some warning if I was interfering with its running, otherwise...I mist it with a Dawn detergent/water mix in a spritzer...a brush to agitate as necessary...and a rinse with a garden hose at varying intensities, depending on where I'm at. I'm cautious around the rear of the headlights (coz mine already have some humidity in them), but otherwise, it's pretty water tight.

I actually can fill the tires up with helium and float over small creeks, though that's coz I treat my gaskets to gummi pflege so the rest of the car is water tight too.

[340iGUY]

Its not a good idea to power-wash an engine with so much electronics.
Water can siphon up connectors and short out but if you did not drench it, it may be fine.
There is an under-carriage shield to help keep splash water out.
One time when changing oil, I had a spark jump to my wrench when I brushed a connector.

[Billfitz]

Originally Posted by dmaxdmax

I don't understand. You got your engine cleaned and it runs fine afterward...so it's not terrible at all, OP.

He's rightfully concerned. Power washing can force water into places where it normally wouldn't go, and the subsequent rust/corrosion that might occur could take weeks to show up. I wash and rinse my engine compartment too, but I wouldn't take a power washer to it for this reason. Better to use an ounce of WD40 protection than to eventually need to replace connectors or sensors.

[dmaxdmax]

Originally Posted by Billfitz

He's rightfully concerned. Power washing can force water into places where it normally wouldn't go, and the subsequent rust/corrosion that might occur could take weeks to show up. I wash and rinse my engine compartment too, but I wouldn't take a power washer to it for this reason. Better to use an ounce of WD40 protection than to eventually need to replace connectors or sensors.

This is true, though I believe many of our connectors are galvanized. I wouldn't want the OP to start undoing every connector though...and in a new enough car, the gasket in the connectors should keep them dry enough. A good long run would heat up the bay enough to dry everything out.

That said, whenever I undo a connector, I do use an electrical cleaner and usually connect and disconnect it a few times just to clear off any oxidation. I spend more time in diys cleaning than fixing usually.

[adamf30e90]

Thanks all. Very helpful responses. I just go this car so it was a one off thing. Will follow up with wd40. Hopefully won't need to clean it for very long time.

[Rasco]

Originally Posted by adamf30e90

Thanks all. Very helpful responses. I just go this car so it was a one off thing. Will follow up with wd40. Hopefully won't need to clean it for very long time.

One thing to note, wd-40 will attract any dirt and dust to electrical contact so be sure what your spraying is nice and clean before hand or you might make a problem instead of preventing one, if it's running fine and the seals and gaskets look good could could just do nothing, if it ain't broke.....

[AlmondJayRoM3]

You’re car is going to be okay. I wouldn’t do a thing other than drive it. Please don’t go spraying wd-40 everywhere and especially on electrical contacts. The only thing you should be using on electrical contacts is electrical contact cleaner or isopropyl alchohol. Doesn’t leave behind residue and won’t damage any of the rubber seals for the connectors. WD-40, in fact, sells electrical contact cleaner for that purpose if you choose to go that route.