How to clean engine?

[Luke1981]

I want to clean my engine department on my 8v and I have seen on the internet that you wrap the electrics, distributor cap etc with cling film and start jet washing!

I have serious reservations about jet washing my engine in case water gets in somewhere. Am I being to cautious or is there another way of doing it?

Cheers

Luke

[Wayne]

Cover the electrics, use gunk and work it in with a brush, leave for 10mins then rinse of carefully, then start and warm the car up.

[Luke1981]

Thanks Wayne,

What type of gunk is best to use? and should I just rinse it off with a wet cloth or hose?

Cheers

Luke

[Wayne]

Thanks Wayne,

What type of gunk is best to use? and should I just rinse it off with a wet cloth or hose?

Cheers

Luke

Just the normal gunk in halfords etc, use a hose but keep it away from the electrics.

[polo6n222]

and if it dont start after use wd40 on the eletrics

[Luke1981]

Thanks guys

[Khare]

Cover up alternator, coil, distributor cap and battery. Run the engine to warm, use gunk on it and rub it in with a brush then let it settle for 5 or 10 minutes as wayne said (mind you when engine is warm it'll dry off, so keep spraying gunk on it  ) and then wash off. Make sure you don't get too close with the lance otherwise you'll start breaking things/peeling paint/breaking brittle wires.

[Khare]

Oh and run the engine while you rinse it all off. Make sure the cling film doesn't get caught in the alternator belt though.

[Ess_Three]

I did mine today...sprayed everything with Meguires de-greaser, brushed it in to lift the dirt, then foamed the whole engine bay with my foam lance and washed it off with my power washer.
I didn't cover anything with cling film...it's an engine...it sits gettig sprayed with water all year round...anything that needs to be water tight, should be water tight!

I've done the same for the last 23 years...and never had a problem.

The old ABF started first turn of the key afterwards too. 

[Seanl]

I did mine today...sprayed everything with Meguires de-greaser, brushed it in to lift the dirt, then foamed the whole engine bay with my foam lance and washed it off with my power washer.
I didn't cover anything with cling film...it's an engine...it sits gettig sprayed with water all year round...anything that needs to be water tight, should be water tight!

I've done the same for the last 23 years...and never had a problem.

The old ABF started first turn of the key afterwards too. 

I wouldnt recommend doing this tbh. That is a newly-ish rebuilt and refirbed engine and done to a very high standard, I'm sure that would be ok. But older untouched ones will have brittle and exposed wires and sensors all over, and so its probably better to cover things up. Thats what I would do anyway