Ok so yea my engine compartments a lil dirty.... Do I just take it to the car was, pop the hood and spray her down or do I have to like goin in with a toothbrush?? Also I got some more wires I gotta run through the firewall and my current hole is filledto the max and I need a new spot anyone one got any Ideas? its a 96 2nd gen too.... the current hole is on teh passenger's side rightw erhe the dash connects to the firewall... is that where everyone else does it or no?

 

The dirt under your hood is very hard to clean off. You probably want to use one of the engine cleaning products on the market. It eats up the dirt and makes it easy to rinse away.

Usually you want to keep water away from the spark plug holes and the brake fluid resivoir, but other than that it's mostly OK to spray away.

 

Most cases an auto detailer will steam clean the engine. I would not recommend it to a DIYer. Also, I inquired about it to a mechanic that my family and I have been seeing since the 70's and he didn't recommend steam cleaning because parts of the engine are lubricated, and it could remove the lubrications. Definitely do not hose it off with a garden hose. You could do some costly damage.

MisterT

 

i live in Canada, and the local Canadian Tire sells Motomaster brand engine cleaner foam (there's one with an Orange smell, if that's your thing) for $3.50 CDN. just make sure you use it on a COOL-to-the-touch engine. cover the aftermarket air filter (if you have one), spray the foam on, wait for 5 mins, spray again in dirty areas. use a toothbrush and lightly brush off areas that is really dirty, then using LIGHT pressure (i have an hose adapter that varies the water spray), rinse the engine thoroughly. after rinsing, start the engine to help in drying. wipe down areas and stand back to admire what a good job you did. this is definitely better than going to some detailing place that charges you $30+.