I have been searching for advice on cleaning my engine. I understand how to clean it and what I would use, but I am not too familiar with what components to cover and where to exactly locate them on my 2006 530i. I would appreceate any advice as I continue my search. Thank you.

Why do you feel it needs to be cleaned?

I had to go on a military trip from Georgia to Miami,FL to Oklahoma and then back to Georgia. It caught alot of dirt on these trips and it just looks dirty. It kind of bothers me to see the whole car clean and when you pop the hood it looks so dirty.

I would just use a wet rag to get the most of it out, and then just using smaller rags to clean up the details. :)

Is having the engine steam cleaned by a professional considered to be a no-no?

I had the engine in my E39 steam cleaned every spring, and I was thinking of doing the same thing with the E61.

Bad idea?

I usually cover the Alternator (just wrap a plastic bag around it) and then use the water hose. Once in about 2-3 month, I spray simple green after getting it wet with water, wait about 10 minutes (use some agitator brush for extensive grease) and then hose it down with water.

Wipe away the excess water with air (if you have air compressor at home) or use towels, then let it dry some more in the sun and then wipe it clean with towel. Just don't drive it until it is completely dry and remember to remove the plastic bag from the alternator.

I have done this dozens of times and never once had any problem.

I just spray it down with a low pressure garden hose, no direct stream, more of a mist/ wide fan spray....no chemicals, just straight water. I do it about once a month to keep the dust off of the engine/ engine bay. I never cover anything up either...no problems