Do:
cover all ignition parts
cover all exposed electrical wiring
cover fuse box (don't have to but i do)

Don't:
leave on the degreasing substance on too long, some of them eat away at aluminum and rubber
get any on your paint, if you do wipe it off fast

just use your best judgement on what to do and don't do, you can dry off the water after you rinse by taking it out for a drive for a few minutes. if it runs funny after cleaning your engine, you most likely got one of the ignition components wet or water got into the spark plug wells, if that happens you can just let it sit for a while and wait for it to dry up. haven't really heard of anyone screwing up their car from cleaning their engine...

 

I just covered everything from the distributor to the left... pull out the ignition wires and cover them, plugged the holes.... then sprayed the hell out the engine with GUNK. Let it sit... hose it down w/ water. Make sure your engine is cold or the GUNK just shoots off of the hot engine.

 

how about the alternator?

 

Originally posted by James D.
how about the alternator?

Try to avoid that area if you can... I know it's hard but if you get it a little wet, I would wait a little.

I usually just spray it down with the engine cleaner at the washbay. Wait a minute or two then clean it off. The waiting is the key. It takes the product a bit to penetrate the grease and dirt.

Then spray it down with armor-all while it's still wet. Wait, then give it a quick wipe down and drive home.

-Mike

 

thanks guys!

 

Try simple green.

 

armorall? what does that do?

 

http://www.autopia-carcare.com/inf-engine.html

 

Originally posted by CT20b Drifter
armorall? what does that do?

I find it shines up the engine bay like the fusebox cover, cruise control and EGR actuator, etc. When it mixes with the water it seems to travel to those hard to reach spots so you don't have to wipe and clean as much. Try it someday, I promise that it won't leave a white residue or wreck anything.

-Mike

 

steam clean?

 

DONT use simple green. it cleans really really well but if you leave it on too long or forget a spot it will eat aluminum like nothing.

do cover up as much of the electrical stuff as you can. just get some grocery bags. also a set of wire brushes will help a lot.

spray the engine degreaser( i used Gunk engine brite and it works very well) leave it on for 10 min. now take your assorted wire brushes and brush off the really caked on dirt. once youre done spray down the engine.