[imahurtchu]

my engine is covered in mud, i was wondering what products/ techniques i should use to detail it. also, do i have to cover the alternator or distributer when i do this? any advice is appreciated.

[balloo93]

Cover anything and everything with wires going to and from it! No joke. Especially the TB.

For detailing, a spray bottle and a sponge will be the best way to get it clean. Basically just control where the water goes. You can spray doen teh block and suspension without worry, but just make sure the alt is covered up sinse it sits so low.

[conrasm]

Is that engine degreaser harmful to electrical stuff? I want to spray my engine down too but I want to be cautious and I don't want to get stranded at the car wash.

[Cosmonut]

Simple Green. Get that and spray bottle of foam engine cleaner. Cover important stuff with plastic. Spray a ton of it all over and every where. Let sit for like 5 min and hose her down. Give some time to drive and start it up and see if it miss fires and crap. Did it to mine and no problems what so ever. Shes really nice and clean now. Im making a custum mud flap so that nothing gets up in my engine bay. Sick of cleanign it D:

[Islandroaddie96]

I'm probably going to get ragged on for this, but. . . I used a pressure washer on my engine being VERY careful about where I was spraying (a REAL pressure washer, not those cheap electric ones). I removed the battery completely, stuffed a rag into the airbox and kept it away from any electrical connection. Also sprayed some degreaser in there about five minuted before starting. I parked in the sun and let it sit for a half hour or so before trying to start it and when I did, it started up just fine with no problems. I don't think I got water into the cap at all, but I don't know for sure because I put in my new cap/rotor/wires/plugs while it was drying, but I didn't see any water in there. As for results, the engine bay never looked cleaner. I think there is a picture on my Cardomain page.

Good Luck,

Peter

[XJ-NoDough]

I usually spray the whole compartment down with Castrol Super Clean, except maybe the blanket thing attatched to the hood. Let it sit for a while, just long enough to get the pressure washer hooked up and started. Then I spray away, being mildly carefull not to force water into my air filter or electronics/electrical. But I do lay it on heavy where ever those sensitive water loathing pieces aren't.
Then I start it up, usually runs fine. Do it this way at your own risk...

I sprayed my wifes CRV engine down with a regular garden hose after I did a tune-up. It started fine but a block up the road it starts running like crap. Check engine light comes on, the whole sha-bang (she was happy with me, let me tell you). Got home, there was a drop of water in one of the spark plug wholes, I guess I didn't get the plug wire cap thingy on/ sealed tightly. Ran fine after I dried it up.

[wolfepack215]

My method,
Spray engine bay with cleaner/degreaser... being careful not to soak the distributor or electricals too much.... let sit for 2 min..... crank her up and use the garden hose on "spray" setting while the motor is running. Zero problems so far...
and a clean engine bay......

[conrasm]

You could try putting aluminum foil or plastic wrap around electrical things and being gentle with the water around those areas.