I've watched a couple of instructional vids online, and visited autopia.org, where a member described using simple green, and a low pressure stream of water to wash out the engine bay.
So the question is: how do you feel about this procedure? My engine bay is REALLY dirty, and spot-cleaning it is not really working.
Hit the poll, and if you have something to add (anyone with experience either way), please post below.

 

At the BMW dealership i work at we hose down the engine bays all the time without any problems but then again they are covered in plastic. If you want to be safe, before you do yours its best to take out the battery, put a plastic back around the fuse box, and try to aim the water so that as little hits electrical connections as possible. I would recomend picking up a heavy duty engine degreaser and spraying down all the major areas that need to be cleaned, close the hood (so it doesnt evaporate or burn off) and let it sink in for about 20 minutes. Repeat that a couple times then go in with a toothbrush and get all areas that are really caked with dirt. Finally give it another spray of the degreaser before you rinse it off with the hose. Once your done leave the hood open and dont run the car for 3-5 hours so it can dry out. If you think anything electrical got to wet just use a hairdryer to dry it off (keep some distance so you dont melt anything). Hope that helps, good luck.

 

I use the hose on mine at least once or twice a month with no problems. Always make sure that the engine is cold. I don't cover anything but the intake. I can't see anything that is exposed anyways. Although i would stay away from flooding the alternator, etc....

 

I wash my Engine bay every time I change my oil (which is about 2-3 month) I never cover anything. I use the "shower" setting on my water hose Sprayer and just spray the engine, battery, hood, everything in sight. I try not to spay the Belts or the Alternator but if some gets on there thats fine. I also stick a towel in the holes of the intake pipe (the one above the Radiator, what ever you call it) so no water gets in there. I use Meguiars cleaners and it works fine for any type of dirt or grease. I want to try the degreaser the next time i shower my engine.

The only thing that my Neighbors think is weird, is that I use my electric leaf blower (rated at winds of 100 MPH... which is not much if you stick your hand in front of it) and blow dry the engine bay. that way there are no spots, and nothing is sitting there for 4 hours with water on it waiting for the sun to evaporate the H2O. The idea of a Hairdryer in the engine bay sounds very funny and weird to me!!!

 

Good idea about putting a towel in the hole for the intake. I'm going to add that to my list of tricks for cleaning. Thanks!

 

no probs here and don't cover anything even using a pressure washer....

 

i just cover my intake and maf and use the mist dial

simple green or engine degreaser. for 5 min.. the just spray off
i usually let the engine running when doing this so if any bit of water goes in it just burns