How do you clean your engine?

What are some good cleaners for engines? What are some of the things I should be aware of? Any tips? I've heard of people temporarily killing their engines from just using a hose, so I wanna be sure.

I use simple green.. wet down engine bay... spray everywhere... let sit for 10 or so... spray off with hose.. I cover my intake filter with a plastic bag. Wipe everything possible off with a hose.. then i use a straw and paper towel over the end and suck the water out of the spark plug ports not suckin in the water. I then wipe all hoses and shiney parts down with armor all . Then windex on my intake.

oh and i disconnet my battery and don't start the car till everything is dry.

I also have a nice layer of crud in my air vents. Is there something you use that can reach in there and also not leave a smell for several months?

Cody I can picture someone walking by your house one afternoon only to see you hunched over you motor with a straw...SHLUUUUUUURRRRPPPPPP

:lol2:

Cody I can picture someone walking by your house one afternoon only to see you hunched over you motor with a straw...SHLUUUUUUURRRRPPPPPP

:lol2:

i tired no using the paper towel and i sucked up a stone and it hurt to cough it back up.. not i use the towel. LOL...

Wow! Tried using come crappy engine cleaner (toxic as hell) and it didn't do crap. Tried some Simple Green and it works wonders... now I just have to get some sorta harsh brush to chisel off the baked on carbon/oil.

I just grabbed my shop vac and stuck it in the spark plug wells and got up all the water. Works like a charm.

Why didn't i think of that?... duh!