Is it ok to hose down the engine and engine bay as long as I cover my intake and keep the fuse block dry?

yeah, i don't see an issue. if the engine is cold, you can even soap it, just don't do something dumb and like pressure wash it recklessly.

I would try and cover up the spark plug cover area depending on what engine you have. I know on my 2.2 I got some water or something in there before and the engine didn't want to start up right away

I would try and cover up the spark plug cover area depending on what engine you have. I know on my 2.2 I got some water or something in there before and the engine didn't want to start up right away

Good advice:twothumbs I was planning on keeping the water away from all electrical stuff cause I just want to clean it up a litttle under there.

i work as a car detailer and i clean engine bays all the time. Before you spray anything in the engine bay, TURN THE CAR ON. This will keep water and whatever you spray in the engine out of spots its not supposed to be. Definitely cover up your intake, but everything should not be a problem, and i recommend using a pressure washer if available. Spray your engine down with degreaser or all purpose cleaner, or both, then pressure wash it all away. Dont concentrate the water on one area, keep the water moving. That should help get your engine looking nice and clean

Thanks for the advice. I've always thought that it should be fine, because what's the difference from when it's raining really hard. I'm sure water gets in there then.

yeah, i think that's the best way to go - i mean if you hit a puddle you are "washing your engine bay" anyway......should be safe

I use Simple Green and a garden hose. Works great.

I use Simple Green and a garden hose. Works great.

+1 simple green is AWESOME, works great. I usualy water the engine down first then spray all over with a heavy coat of simple green. I let it sit for about 10-15 min. then scrub out the really dirty areas with a tooth brush for tiny spots or a dish sponge for anything larger. Then just rinse off. Towel dry to get most of the water off. Let it air dry for a few, then i detail the black/rubber stuff with engine detail spray for a nice shiny black finish (kinda like tire spray, you can even use that stuff in a pinch). I also might wax the paint in the engine bay if i got the time, and its not to hot. Looks good every time !:twothumbs

+1 simple green is AWESOME, works great. I usualy water the engine down first then spray all over with a heavy coat of simple green. I let it sit for about 10-15 min. then scrub out the really dirty areas with a tooth brush for tiny spots or a dish sponge for anything larger. Then just rinse off. Towel dry to get most of the water off. Let it air dry for a few, then i detail the black/rubber stuff with engine detail spray for a nice shiny black finish (kinda like tire spray, you can even use that stuff in a pinch). I also might wax the paint in the engine bay if i got the time, and its not to hot. Looks good every time !:twothumbs

i would like to see some pics of your engine
because that engine cleaning sound really sweet:cool: :cssNET:

XVX +1 rep for taking so much time to clean the engine nice work.

Thanx alot guys.... Ill take some pics if it ever stops raining here in kansas city, mo

But first thing and ill snap some shots for you guys. With a hose, it really doesnt take that long, and hey, it looks good when you pop the hood ! :)

here yougo guys. A pic of my engine bay. I used the method like i said above to get this result. Sorry about the bad pic, i had a wierd shadow, but you get the idea. enjoy. Any question please feel free to pm or ask away.:cssNET:

http://i104.photobucket.com/albums/m176/redrocket2006/pic004.jpg

nice, i wipe my engine down everytime i wash, its much easier to clean if you just stay at it.

yea it definitly helps to stay on top of it. I can say that from pevious cars as well. Everytime you wash the car just give the engine bay a little bit of TLC, then only once in a while go nuts and detail it. You would be surprised how long it last, not to much dirt flying around in there....

I wish my engine bay looked like that. Granted my oil came out of the dipstick, Arizona doesnt like clean engine bays even a little bit:lol:

sos pads for me but only on the metal unpainted ares otherwise 409

What about the fuse box and the alternator and that stuff? Its 100 percent safe to hose down my engine bay?

What about the fuse box and the alternator and that stuff? Its 100 percent safe to hose down my engine bay?

If im going to go at the engine with a hose i sometimes cover the fuse box and alternator with some simple plastic/tape. Just enough to kinda protech from splashes. I just simple try not to get those areas soaked. But hey its an engine, its make to be out side,drive through snow,rain,cold,heat etc. So it should be fine. :cssNET:

Ill try to get a better pic up. The damn shadow in that one drive me nuts !