My new to me '07 F-150 5.4 had a lot of salt on the top of the engine, and quite a bit of rusted bolt heads and misc. parts. I've lived here for many years and I've never seen that kind of salt buildup on the top of an engine!

Any of you have similar problems? Should I worry about, or treat, the rust parts?

Is there a rinsing or cleaning method that would not mess up the COP's or other electrical components? Or should I just let it go, and wait to drive through a good spring rainstorm to rinse it naturally?

 

I run an older truck, so I dont have the electronics, but I've always been told its okay to rinse the engine down, just stay away from electronics and the alternator. So i wash mine down while its running at the pay and spray.
Slush has a tendancy to get up in there. I dont much have the issue, but i generally get mud on the bottom of my hood. i wash that off too. SO i dont see any reason why salt water woudlnt' get up there.

 

Just be sure do do it on a warmer day so it will dry out. Yes we do have somewhat warmer days. Not next week with 8 deg as the high