cleaning engine bay

My engine bay is pretty dirty and I want it to be just as shiny as my paint is so I want to clean it. I want to buy a can of engine decreaser and then clean it with water. Has anyone done this before? What parts do I have to cover? I know I have to cover the battery but what else?
I've also heard something about cleaning the engine bay with steam?? any input on this?
So if anyone has ever cleaned his engine bay...please share your knowlege :D I want my B16 to be clean dammit :)

I've always cleaned the engine bay in the garage were i do my services, it's going with steam with a product in it, it goes very good and very quick. No need to cover things with that, just avoid the spark plugs and the distributor a little bit :)

I would cover the battery, distributor cap, alarm and any other connectors. I know in my engine bay there is a couple of connectors where you can see the wires, so I would definately cover these.

Better to be safe than sorry ;)

It looks nice a clean engine bay, but I do never clean it. imo and what i've heard the water can 'get in' easily in a lot of components. Never use a high pressure water cleaning device or be very carefull with it.

And think twice about which parts you´re going to clean because I´d guess that some parts are supposed to be oily and stuff! At the end it´s a technical and mechanical device and not a toilet which should be totally clean.;)

Dogs are coming by every day :D

:bathroom:

I dunno- but I think u can make an engine wash on a gas station!

I think I will check out that "steam" thing next time I'm at the dealer.
I'm a perfectionist and I want everything to be clean :)
I've never seen it at gas stations, is it a "do it yourself" thing?

Originally posted by bracer
I'm a perfectionist and I want everything to be clean :)

Yeah if I had a new car like yours I would be a perfectionist 2 LOL :D