1. Do Not! use a pressure washer.

2. Use a degreaser and a hose with just the normal flow of water.

3. I have never covered anything when I do mine. I do however live in a dry climate. So rust and corrosion isnt a big worry of mine.

 

You are going to get all kinds of opinions on this, but take it from an old fart........don't "pressure wash" the engine, the engine compartment, or anywhere else on the car for that matter. You could force water into areas that you really don't want to force water into, and you could just generate problems for yourself. AND, it's extremely lazy and lame. For the grimey/oily areas, hand wipe first using a wrag. If you are carefull and use some common sense you can use a garden hose with a gentle, course spray, but don't spray around the coils, spark plugs (tubes can fill up with water) and alternator etc. Start the engine right after and go for a drive.

 

...take it from an old fart........don't "pressure wash" the engine, the engine compartment, or anywhere else on the car for that matter. You could force water into areas that you really don't want to force water into, and you could just generate problems for yourself.

A couple of weeks ago, I saturated my SVT's engine bay with a solvent spray, then used a pressure hose with soap and water, and then rinsed. Every surface is sparkling bright, but somehow I (apparently) ruined the MAF sensor. Kept getting P0102 and P0113 trouble codes until I finally replaced the MAF module — for about $400... Now, I can't prove the aggressive washing caused the problem, but they coincided. I tried cleaning the MAF sensor (with starter fluid), but no luck. I noticed a fine crack on top of the MAF sensor module plastic. Maybe another coincidence... Possibly solvent or pressure suds may have been forced into the body of the MAF sensor. I'll never know...[dunno]

 

Agree 100% with Grumpy. Don't pressure wash it.

 

Thanks guys

 

Get some Gunk brand engine de-greaser. It works good. And as said before, do not pressure wash your engine.