I would like to clean the engine compartment of my 99 F150 4x4. I've heard the best way is to wet the engine, spray it with Simple Green, wait a while, then hose it off.

What items should I cover to keep from getting wet? Alternator, etc.

Also, is this scenario the best way to clean it?

ldcattle

 

These engines do not like to get wet. Water around the plugs and plug wires or COP's depending on if you have a 4.6L or 5.4L will do some damage. If you can keep all of the water out of the spark plug pockets, you might be ok. If you do wash it, before starting it, remove the plug wire/COP's and blow out the spark plug pockets with compressed are real good to remove any moisture, then put some dielectric grease on the boots before reinstalling.
Washing these engines is highly NOT recommended.

 

I've read on here numerous times that washing isn't recommended, but when I had my 00 5.4 and saw quite a bit of offroad time and I always cleaned under the hood without any problems. I used desgreaser and a power washer without incident. Maybe the previous owner waterproofed it somehow, I don't know.

 

Thanks...I guess I'll just let it stay nasty, muddy, and greasy.

 

I washed the engine on my 98 Expy 5.4 about a month ago. I used GUNK Engine Brite. This is what i did.
I sprayed a nice coat of the GUNK stuff and then used brushes and rags to clean all of the components which were dirty.
Then I lightly misted off the whole thing from a garden hose, being careful and staying away from the COPS and the top part of the motor in general(I used rags to clean the top of the motor)
Lastly I wiped everything down and blew the collected pools of water out with compressed air.
Thats it, I didnt cover anything but I was careful not to spray close or onto the COPS. So far no problems just a clean engine and a smell of fresh orange from the engine bay. Good luck!