Hey guys. I'm going to clean my engine cabin today. I'm going to start with a basic rinse down, then apply engine cleaner/degreaser, then another rinse, then a dressing which will be sprayed on and rubbed in. Pretty basic. Which components needs to be wrapped up to safely clean the cabin? I don't feel like dealing with any engine lights today.

Thanks!

 

Battery n alternator

 

As long as you don't drench the engine bay, and don't completely soak/spray directly into the alternator, I've never had a problem with avoiding a full cover-up.
If you're doing a serious spray down of the bay, just a light shroud of aluminum foil on the alternator is all I've ever bothered with. No lights, no problems.

 

So long as you stay away from direct spray to alternator, and don't go totally crazy with hosimg down the top of valve cover (no water in spark plug/coil pack area), you should be fine.

I've cleaned my engine with degreaser and hose a couple of times, did not cover anything, no issues.

My favorite engine dressing is Lemon Pledge (or Orange Pledge). Non-greasy, does not attract dirt. Lasts a long time. Not too glossy. Cleans a little as it goes on. Refreshes plastic and rubber appearance. Easy to find and cheap.

For a show car, I can see using a dedicated engine dressing. But for my DD Pledge works great.

 

Perhaps, tape up the electrical connectors.

 

i spray the engine bay with simple green, then use the garden hose. i don't worry about covering anything in particular, but i do avoid spraying with any force the battery and alternator.

darcy

 

i thought i read that simple green was really bad for aluminum. that being said i use it to hose down my DD hooopty before i have to work on it

 

Sounds like a lot of water. I used Simple Green as well but I found a light rinse, then a good coat of tire foam works wonders. Quick and easy for those non hardcore detail times.

 

Simple green is what I use as well. I don't spray with water first---just spray the simple green on and then hose it off with mild water pressure in the hose.

Then I immediately start it and let it run to get hot and dry any water out of the nooks and crannies then spray the entire engine compartment with 303 and wipe it off the "flat" areas like the air cleaner box, top of the radiator, and valve cover and just let it dry everywhere else.

The 303 repels dirt very well-- I only need to clean the engine bay about every other year.

 

Jetboater, I will try your technique. Never thought about using that in the engine compartment.