How do I clean my engine bay?
 

What is the proper way to clean your engine bay without cracking pipes and what not with the water?

I was wondering the same thing. It seems like the only way to keep it clean is to never drive the thing. Especially in the rain. My guess would be with a small spray bottle and a rag?

How bad is it? If it's really disgusting you can either have a professional shop do it or take it to a power wash that has an engine cleaner and hose that thing off, just be super careful and don't use anything really high pressure (or regular water..)
If you're just wanting to pretty it up, i think you can find engine detailing sprays at auto stores, just that with a cloth and some time.

its not that filthy but its dirty. Im gonna check the stores for any products for engine cleaning. Any products you guys would suggest?

I use a product called "Simple Green" (a mild degreaser - some of the stronger ones on the market can discolour painted surfaces, be careful) and cold LOW pressure water from a garden hose. When washing the car I do the engine bay first - spray the Simple Green on a COLD engine, let it sit for a few minutes then hose it off and wipe everything down with an old chammy. Then once you've finished washing and drying the whole car, detail the engine bay with your protectant of choice. Doesn't have to be done every car wash, just once a month or so and it'll keep it looking new for years. In between washings with Simple Green I just wipe everything down with a damp cloth and re-detail with plastic/rubber protectant. Been using this system for years on many different cars with no ill effects.

Umm, anything that says it's non-corrosive and has a name you trust, i.e, maguires or whatever.
Here are a couple links with some tips, etc.
http://www.autoeducation.com/carcare/engine.htm
http://www.bmwworld.com/repairs/detailing/engine.htm

thanks guys!!

Step 1: Goto Autzone/Checkers/wherever you normally go
Step 2: Look for Simple Green Super Concentrate
Step 3: Walk up to counter and pay the man
Step 4: Walk out to your car
Step 5: Stick key in Lock and turn 1/4 turn to the left(Or press unlock button on key fob)
Step 6: Open door
Step 7: Sit down
Step 8: Put Key in ignition and depress clutch, turn key to "Start position".
Step 9: Drive to nearest car wash with "Wash it your self bay"
Step 10: Pop hood.
Step 11: Spray everything with Simple Green Super Concentrate and let soak
Step 12: Close hood and wash rest of car.
Step 13: Pop hood again and spray the gunk off with high-pressure rinse.
Step 14: Realize I forgot to have you buy some tire shine and run back to parts store once your done rinsing...
Step 15: Spray the tire shine you just bought on rubber/black parts and close hood and drive and let it bake on...
Step 16: You should be done by now and I'm still bored even after half ass typing this thing out.

:lol: thanks for the step-by-step :twothumbs