Like the title says, what is the best way to do it? Is it ok just to use one of those high pressure hoses at the car wash?

Also, I have a cam seal that may be going bad. Will that be a problem?

 

there was a thread not too long ago about this... use search.

 

Ok. that helped.

What should I cover up, though?

 

battery and distributor


[Modified by IntegraLStuner, 11:05 AM 1/1/2003]

 

here's a link to a site that'll show you how to clean your engine bay... it's from one of the bimmer guys over at bimmerforums.com

http://www.apexcone.com/TechProcedur.../ArmorAll.html

 

Armor all works a miracle, i use it on my valve cover.. shiny *** man!

 

Get some ENGINE GUNK.. **** works like a charm.. and Armor All on all the plastic n rubber. Youll be blinging for the hunnies (sarcasm)

 

Do not use armor all on any hose in the engine bay, it has been to cause the hose to dry up and crack.

 

simple green.... i didn't even cover up my battery... i just put a plastic bag around my air filter and suh-ran (can't spell, so i sounded it out hehe) wrap around my coil. I used water to wet everything down... sprayed on 100% full strength simple green... scrubbed... and all gunk/grime came off easily.

Simple green + exterminator (big pump pressurized containers) like sray bottle

-Ryan

 

Are those of you with CAI's covering your air filters up too?

 

You can wrap up the Filter head with plastic if you want

 

Castrol Super Clean is the absolute best, I tried everything, and none of it would take off the dirt and grease on the firewall without scrubbing, and with all those lines that is pretty hard to do. But then I sprayed on super clean, and it simply washed away all that stuff without any scrubbing at all!!!!!!!!! Awesome stuff.

 

i dont think ill ever do anything like that.. maybe with a damp cloth or very, very carefully in sectioned off areas. ive had enough electrical mishaps (12 year old car tho) and i dont want to risk any more. i also know someone personally who washed his engine several times and his speedo cable screw up several times. vtec wouldnt work, and the speedo would just jump around. luckily he was under warranty. well it happened yet again and hes no longer under warranty. i think the list price is 120.

anyways, the concensus seems to be, 'oh ya sure, just wrap up the connectors and spray her down', not just from here, but from everyone ive ever talked to or read about. i just think great care should be taken, only expose the solvent to metal.. make sure its safe for rubber, else dont get a single drop on anything. seal off everything not metal. if you think it may leak, assume it will. work in sections, and wipe down with a cloth when you can, dont just wrap up and spray like a madman.

welp thats just me. im so paranoid id probably remove the distributor, fuel rail and connectors, fuse box, and especially the o2 sensor. i think it should be done with as much care as doing engine internals. i just cant afford to have any glitches with uncertain causes anywhere. good luck.