Engine bay cleaning - how2??

[thornado327i]

So after several periods in my E30 life the car went through several stages:
1. stock DD 2,0L
2. 2,7 i/eta/stroker-like fun DD
3. some stupid tail lights painting, fake m3 mirrors, clear blinkers etc.
3. this is where I started tracking a bit - upgrades featured brakes, engine, suspension, LSD, lightweight flywheel and some other stuff
4. some more tracking - bucket seats
5. less tracking - 17" wheels

and we come to this day:
6. almost no tracking - kept the seats though.

And this is the issue - I'm moving back to stock leaving only mechanical mods, interior mods and the wheels as far as non-stock things go.

All I need now is a nice and clean engine (visually).

How to clean the damn thing without causing gaskets to leak and electricity to go to fun-disco-mode?

Please share your engine detailing knowledge with me.


BTW: My gf says if there was a contest to express most simple things using as many words as possible I'd probably win or come pretty damn close to being first. I'll shut up now.

[ZM Blue Devil]

Spray 9 soak for 15 minutes. Pressure wash.

[thornado327i]

Spray 9 soak for 15 minutes. Pressure wash.

Umm...

I understand the separate words in "spray 9 soak" part, but I don't understand the meaning... Is it a product of some sort?

[Need4Speed1299]

Soak it, soap it, scrub it, spray it. You really dont need to worry about anything. Disconnect the battery.

[mamzak]

http://www.spraynine.com/

[THE FEZMAN]

i used "zep, industrial purple degrease" on mine, it ate most of the body wax off and cleaned all of the grease, the only thing that it did do was discolor my aluminum, but that was my fault because i used it right from the bottle and did not cut it with water. i fixed it buy taking all of the cast stuff off and bead blasting it, then i cleared it with semi gloss clear. spray 9 is ok for light dirt, tires and seats/vinyl but its a waste when trying to strip heavy soil.