Car washes these days have two low pressure settings: soap (usually stage 1), and spot-free rinse (usually the last stage). Just go to a car wash, pop your hood, spray the dirty parts off with the low-pressure soap, then spray again with the low-pressure spot free. This works GREAT, and I've done it like 20 times on my V6 with no problems.
I usually clean them with the engine off, and warm. I spray it all down with Formula 50, made by Zep, but I know simple green works good too. If you have a K&N or other open element air cleaner, cover it (Or, if its a K&N, you might as well clean it). Then, I just use a pressure washer turned down and wash it all out. The pressure it just enough to break away all the crap, but not hurt anything. Afterwords, I use my air compressor to spray off a lot of the water, especially around the alternator and other major electrical components. With the engine warm, a lot of the water will evaporate off too! Its not too hard to do. If it doesnt start right away afterwords, wait a little bit and let it dry out more, then try starting again.
There is a product called CD2 engine detailer it comes with 2 cans one is the degreaser the other is a shiny protective coating. Its really cheap under 10$ and works wonders. You run the engine until its warm then shut it down you spray the degreaser on the engine and let it sit for 10 minutes. After this you rinse everything down with a steady stream of water from a hose or water can whatever you feel best using. (Watch the alternator, air filter, and just try not to pour excessive amounts of water on electrical parts). after this u run the engine for about 5 min to evaporate the remaining water and then spray the second can on everything under the engine,(hoses , metal , etc.) you take the car for a lil drive and once you come back everything is dry and shiny.
just do an online search stores will pop upwhere you can get it from. i found it at a local auto parts store.
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1998 Mustang GT Automatic. K&N FIPK, UDP's, flowmasters, Catted Xpipe, Superchips Tune, PA Valve Body, Prof. Products IntakePlenum and 75mm TB. 1/4 Mile, 14.785 @ 93.67 mph (1/4mile time was ran minus mods after the tune.)
1998 Mustang GT Automatic. K&N FIPK, UDP's, flowmasters, Catted Xpipe, Superchips Tune, PA Valve Body, Prof. Products IntakePlenum and 75mm TB. 1/4 Mile, 14.785 @ 93.67 mph (1/4mile time was ran minus mods after the tune.)
I've been doing this yearly on every car in my family, never any problems....
Make sure engine is off and cold, don't bother covering anything, spray Simple Green, work in small areas, let it do its thing for 10 minutes, rinse off with garden hose, repeat if necessary, let air dry with hood up for a couple of hours.
I was reading a forum a while ago and saw an engine that used that cd2 stuff and it turned out great. But i could never remeber the name of the product. Um i grinded down my intake and polished it will the cd2 stuff effect the intake? i.e discolor the polish.
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RE: washin under the hood - 
