I once read on here that it was not advisable to hose down the engine compartment on my 108, but it badly needs a general cleaning.

What is the best way to clean out the years of dust, dirt, and general crap build-up?

Can I wash some areas and avoid others?

Can I strategically use some plastic bags to make it a better idea?

Thanks

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Pxland

2001 Honda Accord

1995 Jeep Cherokee

1973 MB 280SEL 4.5

Friend,
Buy a couple few aerosol cans of engine cleaner at the parts store and follow the directions on the can. If you are careful to avoid hosing a hot engine and also aviod the plug wires and distributor cap you may be ok.
If the engine fails to fire after the shower you just diagnosed bad plug wires and distributor cap.
Regards.

I have pressure washed my engine compartment before, no ill effects, just make sure to keep water out of the injection pump air intake, intake, and distributor. Then blow it off and let it sit in the sun all day, just to make sure all of the residual water evaporates. Last time I did this I had the head off, so i also sprayed the block with WD-40 to keep it from rusting.

Also helps if you do the undercarriage while you're at it. Its always nice to be able to come out from under a car and NOT be covered in grease/sludge/or anyother kind of roadgrime

You have a 4.5 like mine. I've used a garden sprayer in my engine compartment before with no ill effects. Compounded with 3 cans of $0.99 "Engine Degreaser" from Wal*Mart, it did a pretty good job cleaning everything out. I didnt hit the firewall and kept away from the EFI brain box, but everything else got a damn good soaking (I removed the air cleaner assy and covered the throttle body with a plastic bag and duct tape), fired right up after to dry it all out.

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Current:
2021 Charger Scat Pack Widebody "Sinabee"
2018 Durango R/T

Previous:
1972 280SE 4.5
2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee Limited "Hefe", 1992 Jeep Cherokee Laredo "Jeepy", 2006 Charger R/T "Hemi"
1999 Chrysler 300M - RIP @ 221k

I cleaned my 85 5.0 Mustang's engine one day, something I'd done many times, and headed home. Got about 5 miles down the road and it started missing badly. Made another mile then I pulled over. As I got out, something under the car caught my eye. It was the converters glowing in the dark.

My point? Dry the inside of the distributor cap, even if you are sure you didn't get it wet.

Enough unburned fuel reached the cats that they were probably over 900 degrees by the time I stopped. Any further and I'd have had a real hot car.

Michael

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Usta haves '69 250/8, '76 280C, 1971 250C 114.023, 1976 450SEL 116.033
Current have, 1983 300SD 126.120