I have an early 99 7.3 and I do not think the engine compartment has ever been cleaned. It looks like crap. I want to get it clean so I can start looking at what I might need to mod first. What do I need to cover, avoid getting wet, Avoid hitting with the simple green, etc?

 

Cover your alternator, battery, and air filter if its exposed. Simple Green is slightly corrosive so be sure to get it all off.

 

Don't forget to cover the power steering fluid and brake fluid reservoirs' caps too.

 

I've never heard of that being a problem...

 

I would suggest using a weed sprayer. I take dawn and some hot water and go to town.

 

There's a vent hole in the power steering reservoir cap where water can get in.

 

I have pressure washed my truck engine several time as well all my vehicles through the years and those of friends, I have nover covered anything. I run the engine to warm it up, then I spray the heavy grease areas with a good degreaser, let it set and then blast away with hot water or pressure washer. Of course I don't blast the crap out of the above mentioned items and I have never had a problem. It is no different then driving freeway speed througha heavy downpour.

 

Then why don't our engines stay clean in a rainy season? Lol. But yea I've had luck just washing without to much precautions and so far it's worked out.

 

I would do what tailgate says, unless you might want to flush your PS Fluid.

 

I appreciate the props. Yes, a little plastic wrap and a rubber band is all you need to cover it. Two minutes of labor to save the headache of getting water in your PS fluid seems like a no-brainer to me. If you are using a pressure washer, you really should do that.

 

Them alternators are high dollar,I would cover it with a Walmart bag.