What's the best way to wash/clean the engine bays on these cars?

 

I always use Meguiar's Product to clean my Lexus. They have pretty much everything you need from Light Duty to Heavy Duty cleaning Interior / Exterior even the engine components. Also it's cheaper at Wal-Mart.

Here is a Engine Cleaner Spray.
http://www.meguiars.com/en/automotiv...ngine-cleaner/

 

I just take some sort of degreaser and spray over everything and rinse it off. Mean Green, Simple Green, Totally Awesome, etc.

Just make sure it's not hot or that you don't spray it on the paint. Spray on, let it sit for a little bit, and rinse off.

 

And if you have an open air filter cone, cover it with a plastic bag and be careful spraying electrical components.

 

Whatever you do, DO NOT take a hose or a pressure washer to it. Just about every time I've read about someone doing it, they've screwed something up. Take a true engine cleaning product and use as directed. Then using a hand-squeeze squirt bottle, remove the cleaner. Have some rags you don't mind throwing away to clean and some plastic bristle brushes handy to get into all of those cracks.

 

Truth! +1.

I personally don't clean the engine when it is not necessary.

 

I've used a hose before but I didn't go crazy with it. Covered some areas up with plastic and rubber band and went at it. Then let the car sit in the sun for the whole day without turning on the engine.

Nowadays I wipe down the engine using a wet cloth and brush dressing the areas that are noticeable.

 

I use a clean rag with car soap and manually wash the engine bay. Id say that's your safest bet

 

I have used the hose to remove degreaser from the engine but i only ever use the mist setting. I would not recommend any more spraying than that.

 

The guys saying don't hose. I understand why you say don't hose but it's actually where you hose and how much water your using that the issue.

 

Low pressure hosing is the key. I use the Gardening setting on my sprayer and basically hose everything down.