It is possible to keep it clean without washing it down with water. 8 years since the engine was rebuilt (middle photo shows comparison from 2001)....

http://www.injuneer.com/images/photo.../DCP04255a.jpg

http://www.injuneer.com/images/photo.../210Intake.jpg

 

that looks good

 

Looks good;you can also use some medium grade rubbing compound on the exh.manifold shield(dr.side),the brake lines,and the ac prts.Really brings out the shine.

 

The first owner of my car had to replace the opti@16,000 mi.b/c the stupid h2o pump took a leak(the location of the water pump near opti is idiotic).I also washed my engine after i bought it(bad move)and it ran like s... for days.Then i took it to large garage to change the coolant from green to orange and they got opti wet and luckily it got better a couple days later otherwise i would have had a bitch of a time trying to get another opti out of them!For the last few yrs. the idle has been rougher than normal and finally the opti died last fall.So for me wet towels,and wax,rubbing compound seems to work.Btw i went to a car show in Minot N.D(06) and someone commented on how clean my engine was,they asked how did you get it that way,and i said it,s never been dirty.They seemed surprised that a newer car would have a clean engine compartment,so it can be done.

 

When I had my 95 and 97 Camaros I would spray the engine down with Castrol Super Clean and hose them off all the time. Just dont let the water hit the alternator and opti area for a long period of time and you will be fine. Fire it up right after you hose it off and it will dry in no time.

 

I don't wash my engine regulary but I've done it 5-10 times. I never directly spray the opti area. I just wash the top sides, and then stick the wand under the car and just get the front balancer and oil pan. I always leave the car running. I did this several times in a short period of time because I had an oil leak I was trying to locate.