...to clean-off the engine. I know some of you may think it'* stupid and what-not, but I'm in the mood to do it. I just spent four-hours washing and waxing my car, so I'm kind of stoked to have it all clean, and I'm just in the mood, you know? Now I'm not sure that this is in the correct catagory, but I thought this may be the most appropriate place for such a topic. Anyways, my question was along the lines of what to watch-out for when doing so. Basicly, I have a garden hose, and a very dirty-looking engine. [A lot of belt-dressing and scum has built-up everywhere.] So if you have any advice or feed-back, it would be greatly appreciated.

-Jeff-

P.*. - It'* a '92 SSEi, in case that makes any difference...

Cover up your alternator, coils, MAF on the TB, air cleaner and egr valve. I recommend you disconnect the battery. Soak it down with degreaser and scrub excessively dirty areas and rinse it off VERY good. There ya go.

Thanks for the extremely quick response. I really appreciate it. Anything else?

-Jeff-

hmm, i only cover the alternator, everything else I SOAK..and I hooked it up to a hot water heater and it cut all the grease without breakin a sweat!

o ya ...and dont do to a hot engine.LOL The coil packs are really a not to get wet item. The module undermeath will get all corroded.

I recommend using one of these longish handled parts-cleaning brushes to get into nooks and crannies to scrub after you spray the degreaser on.

Apply de-greaser to a warm engine, let soak for a few, scrub areas with parts brush, rinse well. Then take car out for a little drive, maybe 20 minutes or so.

I've been taught simple green is preety effective. Doesn't smell too bad either while you're cleaning.

Pressure wash is probably not a good idea, right?

Probably not, just from the standpoint that it could blast things so hard that something might break. The general concensus is that it isn't necessary, either. A low pressure rinse after spraying degreaser and scrubbing with a parts brush is all that'* really necessary. I've also heard of using a garden sprayer to rinse the engine, as the spray wand gives you really good control where to spray. Obviously don't use a garden sprayer that has been used with bug spray, they are very inexpensive, and you could buy one just for your engine if you wanted to.