Sorry if this post doesn't belong here but I wasn't sure and since my Civic model falls into this category I figured I'd just post here.

Anyway, whats the best way for cleaning an engine bay? There's dust and crap everywhere, I was just gonna start off with spraying it down with the hose but I don't know what to do about the intake, it has a dry flow filter so I was just gonna take it out and cover the hole with a strong plastic? Also is there anything else I should be concerned about, like the battery?

I've never cleaned and engine bay out in the past but I care too much about this car to let dirt build up.

 

cover all the electronics with something like a bag from the store or something tape up real good
simple green and the hose man, always worked great for me.

 

just cover your alternator, intake, and distributor if you have one. other than that, you should be good to go.

 

Careful around the sparkplugs. I had some water get into the wells on my gsr and it misfired badly until I changed the plugs and dried it out.

I tend to use the simplegreen / hose / plastic shine / hose method. Cleans up very nice, very quickly. Here's mine, after about 30 minutes of work:

 

That's what I do, also make sure you have enough time for the engine to fully dry.

 

As mentioned above, take your time, cover all the electronics and you'll be good to go. I'm actually such a chicken that I take my time and use a spray bottle for water haha but works everytime.

 

x2 forgot to add that.
motor NEEDS to be cold!
pefect to do on a nice sat or sunday after the car has sat all night and cooled off and then just let it sit for a lil while to dry,

 

You can also do it while it's warm. Cover up what electronics you need to and spray it with your chosen cleaner. CLOSE THE HOOD and start it up....seriously. Come back about 5 minutes later and spray it again with cleaner...close the hood again...then come back in about another 10 or so and spray it down with a hose (without the nozzle...just the hose pressure).

 

Ha, I was too worried about the electronics so I just used a spray bottle, some cleaners, a couple toothbrushes for those tough spots and soft cloths.