I finally decided to clean my engine compartment today, so I let the car cool, and then took a hose and sprayed it, put the simple green on it and sprayed it off. I just took it for a drive to dry, it's nowhere near fully dry, but it's pretty dry, but my question is did I forget anything? Was I supposed to cover anything, like I wanna make sure that I don't do damage. Thanx guys!

 

I personally clean mine with a damp rag every time I wash the car. Just go over things to get off any road junk and dust. I would be scared to spray water under the hood. I believe I saw some computers up there, plus a whole mess of other stuff that looks like it shouldn't have water on it. But, I am sure if you were able to drive it now you don't have to much to worry about. Good luck with it. Hope it turned out nice and clean.

 

not long after I got my car 2 years ago, I cleaned the engine in a similar way and water found it's way under the intake and into the rear knock sensor. This required removing the intake so I could blow out the sensor and terminal w/alcohol. I've gotten away w/ cleaning the engine since then the same way, but I use less water. ALSO....since I'm like really into having the car look as impressive as it drives........I stream shot armor all over all plastic and rubber under the hood and then drove it for about 10 miles (climate control OFF!)-------WOW REALLY GORGEOUS under there now!!!!! That was a while back and have had 0 problems.

 

You did good cleaning it that way.
I shoot the Simple Green on with the engine slightly warm and dry. IMO putting water on first dilutes the cleaner and puts a barrier over some of the dirt.
Let the cleaner soak for a few minutes, then hose off very good.
Then, when the engine is dry, I spray the whole engine compartment with one of the foaming tire dressings. The best tire dressing to use is Westley's Tire Shine, but I have seen it available in a couple years.
Cover everything in tire dressing, and allow to thoroughly dry.
Don't let the dressing find it's way into the air intake system though, silicones and lubricants are supposedly bad for the sensors. Better safe than sorry.
I have done this method with all three 4th gens I have had over the years.
Good luck
Dave

 

Only problem you might run into is (as someone mentioned) the knock sensors.

There's a GM Tech Note out on this and the solution is simple ... build a small "dam" of silicone around the knock sensor seal.

One time when I cleaned my motor, I started getting a misfire about 200 miles later. Water had gotten down around the rear knock sensor. So GM replaced both sensors and did the silicone for me ... all under warranty.

 

Thanks for all the info guys, at least I feel a little better now knowing that most other people do it the way I did and haven't really had any problems!!!

 

I do basically the same thing with Simple Green ...

I don't spray the water, though. Just let it run over everything ...