what needs to be removed and/or covered when cleaning the engine bay to prevent any type of damage or water in spots you dont want it? what do you guys use as far as engine brite stuff and how do you do it? powerwash?

thanks guys

I don't remove or cover anything. But don't spray water directly on the ECU, I wouldn't advise it anyhow. I wet the engine bay, spray everything down with a 50/50 diluted mixture of simple green, use carb cleaner on any really greasy/dirty spots with a toothbrush or wire brush. Let it sit for a while and then pressure wash it on low/med pressure. Repeat if necessary.

Then I spray any type of silicon-based tire shine all over the hoses, plastic covers, etc and that keeps them looking brand new and prevents the rubber/silicon hoses from cracking. Don't get any on your valve cover if it's painted or powder coated, or anything else that's been treated as such for that matter. After you spray it down, drop the hood and forget about it. Let the engine completely dry before you start the car.

Also, for the cleaner/degreaser.. if it's been painted/PC'ed hand-wash it with a mix of dawn soap and water. You can pressure wash it.

I'd advise covering up the relays in the top drivers side corner as well as the ECU and anything else you see fit or have cause for concern. Also remove the intake pipe and cover the throttle body.

Other than that it's just being careful and using common sense when spraying the engine down.

I always clean my engine bay at home. That way, I wouldn't have to start the car until it was dry the next day or later on in the day. I would always have small quirks when washing the engine bay than immediatley driving the car.

I know all cars are different, but mine didn't like baths.

If you don't have any custom welded manifolds you can "steam" the engine while it's hot and running. It helps get some of the really nasty gunk off in my experience. The other plus is that it quickly dries anything that would be affected by trying to drve a wet engine. I like mixing simple green in a miracle grow hose sprayer.

like others said, make sure to cover the ecu and relays and if you've got any open filters cover those as well so that you don't suck water straight into the engine.

no need to cover the alternator or distributor?

Originally posted by wordsarize
distributor?

Show me a distributor on a 2GNT.

ok guess not haha... but what about coverin the alternator? water wouldnt damage that?

Originally posted by wordsarize
ok guess not haha... but what about coverin the alternator? water wouldnt damage that?

never had any issue with it. Hell I wash the engine on my subarus and the alternator is right on top.

Tire shine, spray on a rag and wipe. It cleans the hoses well and shines them good. Postitive reply? lol.

Originally posted by CODE4

Originally posted by wordsarize distributor?

Show me a distributor on a 2GNT.

WINNER

cover your plugs and wires!!!!! If water gets down there that thats bad!

Originally posted by MITSUracer123
cover your plugs and wires!!!!! If water gets down there that thats bad!

that's why you do it with the engine at temp. steams it right out of there.

Originally posted by CODE4

Originally posted by wordsarize distributor?

Show me a distributor on a 2GNT.

hahaha

I have used simple green alot and it leaves a whiteish residue like look on everything. Doesnt make anything look shiny clean. I try using Engine Bright.

Engine bright is dam good, also greased lightning is godly as well. I used it in detailing my engine bay when I had the engine out.

Tire shine is pretty win, but in moderation.

Meguiars (sp?) make a pretty good kit too, but it's kinda pricey.