Cleaning Inside The Engine Bay

[Sarstan]

Just wanted to get an idea of how everyone else does it.  I heard you can simply spray a degreaser, let it work a little, then spray it out with a garden hose (or pressure washer mattering by who you ask).  The details all seemed a little sketchy.

So then, what's your method?

[rjcaptsean]

I guess that depends on what you plan to do after you have cleaned it.  Is it to paint the engine compartment or it is simply to clean out years of gook.  

Usually one of the very first things I do when I purchase and new (old) car is to take it to the local "Coin Op" wash rack and spray down the engine, compartment, and underside of the car with degreaser, let it sit for a bit and then use the high pressure hose to clean it out.   I have been doing this for a lot of years with very good results, but there are some things you should be careful of.  The pressure spray is very strong so you want to be sure not to point it directly at electrical connections, vacuum connections or areas that you might wash out a gasket.  Be sure to keep the tip of the wand a safe distance from anything you don't want to blast off...like your skin. Watch out for engine decals and the insulation attached to your hood (if you have a 318).  

Washing the engine bay in your driveway is similar, but your hose won't develop the pressure that the wash rack will.  If the engine is out, then use plastic bags to cover the electrical and open fuel lines.

Before:


After:

[Sarstan]

At the moment, I'm looking to just clean it up since it clearly hasn't been done it's entire life.  I've got caked on oil all the way down the front half of the engine, power steering fluid that apparently had been spilled all over the container, tons of dirt and dust, and the occasional leaf.  Using just a garden hose, is there any serious danger to just spraying it all out after degreaser?  I heard mention of the alternator and electrical connections, but some say to cover it, others say you can get away with just not spraying it directly.

Playing it safe, a plastic bag over the alternator would be a good idea (my air intake has new fittings, so I doubt it would get any water in it)?

[mr.vang]

i wouldn't worry much about the alternator. when i clean mine the only thing i avoid is the afm, spark plug hole and wire. i used couple towel and rise the side with water.
here is after