Cleaning the engine bay

[05TronZX3]

i didnt feel like reading 4 pages so sorry if this is mentioned already, but i work at a car dealership detailing cars, and the first time i degreased an engine i got some engine degreaser (the companys name is reliable) reliable engine degreaser...while the car was running i covered the alternator w a rag and wet the engine w a garden hose that had a spray nozzel, nothing too powerfull. this is all i use while cleaning, i then sprayed on the degreaser and let it sit for a bit, sprayed it off, took my rag and was done. it worked great. i dont suggest using a power washer, because the other detailers have told me horror stories about things coming disconnected and so on etc..

[Cookieman00x]

I use simplegreen.. spray it on, let it soak for about an hour and spray it off. That will take care of most of the grease and dirt. The use a silicone treatment to shine it up. You can also use tire shine.

[TolusD]

I bought a bug sprayer from Lowes just for engine bay cleaning. It sprays very consistently with enough cowbell to do the job but nowhere near what it takes to break anything or blast anything loose. I fill it with Greased Lightning orange and a little boiling water to bring the whole thing up to temp. Hot chemical solvents at low pressure dispersed onto cold metal in a fine penetrative mist works well. I hit the big parts with a rag soaked in the warm cleaning solution and it all looks great. The first winter I lived in Cleveland was horrible and my engine bay was caked with road salt from the salt spray hitting hot metal and drying. I already have serious rust problems on the lower end of my radiator support because of the damn road salt. I started spraying down my engine bay weekly and it all but stopped. I'll still have to deal with it at some point in the future though.

[topspeedfab]

I have always had good luck with wheel cleaner.