I was thinking about giving my car a full cleaning soon..including cleaning up the engine bay. I'm going to the self washing car wash, and they have an engine degreaser setting on their power washer. I was wondering if there are any other products I should buy to help clean it up a little better (I already have a small brush), and will/should I cover anything like the alternator or coil packs? I don't want to end up ruining some of the electronics if possible.. Is there anything else I should look out for/do/avoid?

I use simple green to clean the engine bay. Works really nice at removing grease. I've heard people say leave the car off when you wash and I've heard leave it on.

I usually leave mine on while I'm washing it with degreaser and water. Then I'll shut it down and start scrubbing.

i use simple green too, i think the power wash would be too much pressure to be safe around all those wires and stuff. i rinse it with the garden hose put the thing on foam spray it down use a brush to get in the cracks folded up shop towel to get in between stuff then rinse it down with the hose again

Try to avoid spraying the sensor connectors when using the power washer..those weatherpak seals can only take so much. Had a boss once who would get carried away, and short out a TPS or other sensor using the power washer. But the engine was cleeeaaannn...

Follow up with your favorite brand of tire shine on the hoses and plastic parts.

Thanks for the tips guys!

I have never seen Simple Green in stores around here, but I was talking to one of my friends last night who used to detail cars for a local GM dealer. He said they used stuff called Orange Blast. I'll try that if I can find it.

The pressure washer at the place has a gentle setting, which is about as strong as using a garden hose, so I'll use that when it comes time to rinse everything.

i get simple green at walmart. its a safe for plastic degreaser, some of the other ones like purple power and others take paint off and will eat plastic, try it on something you dont care about first.

I found some Simple Green at Canadian Tire earlier. I'll probably end up just washing everything at my girlfriend'*, seems she has a garden hose (it sucks living in an apartment building...). I'm a little uneasy about using the pressure washer anyways. I don't want to make my flaking paint any worse lol

best temperature for cleaning your engine is warm to the touch, but not hot. you probably know that! I cover all sensors in lil baggies and secure them with elastic bands .. dont have to be air tight and ya those degreasers I stay away from them petro based ones will eat plastic and so on .. Simply Green is pretty good

Well, I attempted to clean it yesterday. I got a lot of the heavy dirt and grease off, but I had to give up when my arms and neck started burning in the sun. I'm going to give it another try next week when I go to my parent'*. It should be a lot cooler then, and I'll have access to more equipment then. (pressure washer, hose, and brushes)

Simple green,super clean or purple power..i pressure wash engines all the time im just careful...bubbas tps wenr bad after a pressure washing once so be careful