I have spent the last hour searching post for engine and bay cleaning (not parts removal). The best posts I found were from 2002 & 03. The recommendations for cleaners were CD2, simple green & greased lightning the methods were "steam" clean (which I assume is pressure wash), spray with hose & go to car wash. Man I can screw something up in a split second and I sure don't want to. BTW, my engine and bay aren't too bad. Your suggestions please gents. Also, should I cover anything and if so where is it?

Here are 3 post I found:

https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/auto...?highlight=cd2

https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/tech...ht=steam+clean

https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/auto...ht=clean+steam

 

You pretty much have all the info there in those three post....but to sum it up you can cover up the alternator if you like but it will be fine if you dont spray it directly it doese live in somewhat wet conditions anyway so a LITTLE water wont hurt it as for the ignition I would probally cover up the distributor just because it's usually kinda dirty in around there and you will want to clean it up well. and if there is anything else you feel like covering up go right ahead by the way tinfoil works great on those hard to cover area's because you can make it any shape you want. get some pics of the before and after too.

 

Steam clean is a little more than just pressure washing, it actually involves using heated water,though its usually not boiling hot, but it does help cut thru the grime much better than cold water. I think in florida you may need to find a Semi shop that details big rigs, maybe check with Cat Scales.

 

I've been wondering the same thing. So basically just cover up the alternator and distributor and then spray with a pressure washer and it won't hurt anything?

My engine really needs this. It looked good until my radiator blew and got rusty water everywhere.

 

I would not recommend steam cleaning at all! It allows moisture to build up on electrical contacts and the heat of which can cause condensation on the inside of electrical connections. My buddy does road patrol for the AA here in England and has been called out to a number of cars with electrical faults only to find severe corrosion as a result of steam cleaning. I also know of someone whose ECU went on his car due to moisture build up. My advice, for what its worth is this (and I've done a few show cars, so I do know a little bit) invest in a good degreasant and brush in. I've used soft and bristled paint brushes before but the best tool without a doubt is a long handled brush used for getting behind house radiators (should be available from any good DIY store). Once the worst is off, then use brake cleaning fluid and rinse off with cold water (Not pressurised, then you can keep it localised). For the hoses (and don't laugh at this - try it and see if I'm wrong) the best thing you can use is.... Peanut butter!!! I know it sounds stupid but the natural oils found in peanuts really make pastics and rubber shine - far better than silicone based products and the best bit, it really lasts too. (Obviously, use the smooth type!!!) I challenge you to try it and see if I'm not wrong. (It'll be a cheap fix anyhow)

 

Having never done this before myself, I was nervous about screwing something up. I spent about 1.5 careful hours and am very pleased with the result. Here's what I did:

> Covered alternator with plastic garbage bag.

> Mixed 1 part Simple Green to 2 parts water.

> Started on the painted / plastic areas on perimeter of the engine bay one section at a time (1/2 @ front; 1/2 @ side, etc). Note, by leaving the worst / oily areas to last it helps prevent "spreading" the grease and saves on rags.

> Applied mixture with long handle soft brush, then wiped with soapy cloth rag, followed by old tooth brush for crevices and hard to reach spots.

> Rinsed each section with with a garden hose sprayer at low pressure.

> Repeated as necessary.

>Split the engine into 4 sections to clean.

No engine start-up/ run issues at all. I have not dressed anything yet but I'm going to do a test area with goon's peanut butter.

 

a cool trick for cleaning up hoses/connectors/plasic bits under the hood is to clean/degrease them then spray tire foam on them. let it sit untill the foam has dissolved and spray with an airhose or wipe off, it gives a great shine, its also how i detail my dash/doorpanels as its great at getting into those hard to reach spots like on your dash vents, just follow the same procedure you would under the hood