Im looking for the least harmless/most effective way to clean my engine bay (heh arent we all)...a roll of paper towels and a bottle of fantastik can only get me so far

Ive read a few threads including Kev's sticky in the 5th gen forum and some other misc but im looking for more specific opinions/suggestions. Ive hosed down the engine bay with a nozzle once and that didnt do much and my fan belt squeaked a little bit after...id rather not take the chance and do it again. Another option is the steam cleaning but i still fear the electronics on the engine getting F-ed up. Any precautions/preparations that are needed to protect the electronic components? I dunno about those cheap bottles of engine degreasers, seems kind of like a cheesy fix to me i want a good thorough cleaning.

 

Diluted Simple Green on a warm engine.

 

Are there any parts you can't get wet or do you just hit the whole thing?

 

if you have a HAI i would cover up the intake filter with a plastic bag unless your cleaning it too