Got a few questions about my new to me '95.

I've always been leary of washing the engine bay, from water in the cap/rotor, plug wires and with EFI, even more comes into play.

The truck isn't my DD, but I do like to drive it several times a week for fun. I need to replace the water pump, as it's been leaking since I got it.
I would like to power wash all of the engine bay as well as possible.

Now here's my checklist:
Disconnect and remove battery.
Pull PCM
"Remove alternator!!??"
I figure those 2 items are Absolute! Not sure about alternator.
Does anyone else have ideas or has done this without any ill-effects? Problems?
I'm not in a rush to drive again so I could leave the hood up for however long I need too.

I would just like to have the engine bay clean and make it easier when working on the water pump.
I'm also thinking of swapping in mustang 306 later this year and adding headers.

Thanks again!

 

I've always just used a soap dispensing hose attachment with Dawn in it and then pressure wash everything while not putting fully direct spray on the things like the distributor and other electrical stuff but still rinsing it off. Then I use a leaf blower to dry it out. Once I've gotten the engine bay clean I usually just use the soap and hose once a year or so.

 

For good reason.. the designers try really hard to make it as water proof as possible but nothing in there is designed to keep 1400psi water out.

So clean it then after the motor us out of the way but don't use a power washer it'll just force water into areas it's not supposed to be, use a degreaser with a brush and rinse clean with a regular garden hose.

 

About once a year or so somebody will sign up here in a panic, having used a pressure washer in the engine bay and now it won't start or the dash is lit up like a Christmas tree with all sorts of intermittent or wacky electrical problems coming and going. First rule is don't apply electrical power. Water won't hurt anything, but short circuits will. Simply drying everything out won't be a long term fix, the minerals or detergents left behind will form conductive paths providing new sources of weird **** for years.

"I gotta go to work Monday it's my only transportation, what do I do!!??" Can be a very expensive lesson.

 

Clean as much as you can dry first. Vacuum as you brush dirt out or scrape.I equipped myself with aluminum foil & Glad wrap to cover stuff then tape, bailing wire, etc. to hold it down. Didn't try & do it all in one session. Didn't use any more than a garden hose with adapter to hot water side of sink. Castrol Super Clean or Dawn. No pressure wash. Wash, blow with blower or compressed air, wipe down, then run. Haven't killed it yet or damaged the electrical system.

Take as much crap off or out as you can. I've got the hang of dropping my wheel well liners out for service as well as cleaning.

 

Thanks for everyone who chimed in.

I mostly want to clean the front where the water pump bolts up, and I can use a soap dispenser to help aid in removing most of the grease and trash.

I'll steer clear of power washing until I can yank the engine out and then do what I can to the engine bay as time allows.

Right now I need to finish my 351 and drop it into my other Eddie Bauer so I can finish rebuilding the 306.

Once again, thanks again for "do's and don't!"

 

Like mentioned above

Dry clean first with a vacuum, blow gun, etc

The have a WARM engine, NOT HOT. and soak it with degreaser. Keep it wet for a good 30 min. Then use HOT WATER.

You will be amazed by the results