Anyone have any pointers on steam cleaning or power washing the engine bay? I want to make sure I don't get something wet than can be damaged or use any chemicals that may harm my plastics or such.

 

I've power washed every single engine in every car I've owned, and also a few friend's cars... Never an issue. Just make sure the engine is not too hot when you begin.

 

Do I have to cover any electrical components on the C6 and any cleaners or degreasers to use ( SIMPLE GREEN ETC).

 

I never have. Just don't get the spray nozzle real close to any electrical connectors. I use Engine Degreaser on older cars but the C6 has never needed it...

 

For the most part the bay is clean but could use a good pressure wash to further clean it up...........Thanks for the tip Powerlab.

 

I have detailed thousands of cars during my lifetime (I used to own and operate a detail shop before becoming an attorney). This is what I have found to work for me:

NO HOT MOTORS - warm ok, but not hot.

Use a good degreaser - I use a citrus based degreaser made by Automagic (I think it is approximately $30 a gallon) that I cut 5 parts water to 1 part degreaser. I put it in a 2 gallon pump sprayer (less than $20 at Home Depot or Lowes). Spray it on and don't be cheap about it. Let it sit for 5 minutes.

I use a power washer with hot water (not quite steam but close enough for me). BLAST AWAY. It should melt off any crap on the engine and/or fender wells/firewall. Be smart about where and how you spray the water. While I have never experienced any problems with a modern motor, it is possible that you get something wet that could cause a problem. Of course, if you had an older car (cap and points), cover the distributor with a bag and be really careful about where the water goes. I did make my old school VW Beetle run like $hit for an hour back in 1986 but that is a different story.

Use shop vac on blower mode (or compressor) to blow off lots of water. Towel dry or run motor to dry out the balance.

FYI - same degreaser cut 15:1 cleans vinyl, leather. 10:1 to clean the tires. 1:1 - cleans anything greasy and oily. Straight will get oil stains out of concrete.

 

I use simple green in mine and its awesome. I dont even need a pressure washer just a hose with a spary nozzle. I DO cover my alternator, air filter, and coil packs just for safety.

 

We power wash the engines on our trucks at work (Chevy Silverado's) everyday. 40+ trucks. Never had a problem other than the power washer breaks down once in a while!