Should've posted this with my other post but completely forgot. (1) In cleaning the engine bay, do I just use a degreaser and spray water all over the engine? Is that safe? (2) On my battery contacts, there is a melted chocolate looking ice cream substance on it. Is this a protectant? or corrosion? How do I go about cleaning this without electrocuting myself, or is it easier to just buy a new battery? Thanks again guys.

 

1) Yes, but make sure your engine is cold when doing so .. I did the same, but later on used a steamer (the ones shown on TV) to further clean the engine bay

2) Your terminals need to be cleaned, use baking soda, mix water w/ it (not too much water) and use a toothbrush w/ the mixed solution to get the terminals really clean

 

For the battery, should I disconnect whatever's connected onto the terminals or just clean without disconnecting? And the engine bay cleaning, still scared that the water might affect exposed belts and wires, airbox, basically anything without a lid.

 

For the battery, you can clean as-is, w/ the engine you may want to cover some of the wires to porevent future electrical problems

 

Thanks Wht98SE. I'm going to clean it right now. I remember reading a thread about the car catchin on fire because of messy terminals. I was so paranoid.

 

washing the engine is a bad idea, if u want to make it look better use a wet rag, do not spray with a hose. ive seen many people eff their cars up by spraying with a hose. i cant remember the stuff that gets messed up off the top of my head, cuz im a lil drunk but i know it can happen.