Make sure you cover the alternator and fuse box as previously stated. Otherwise yo will have huge issues in the future. I would avoid using water and stick with compressed air and elbow grease.

 

I cover the alternator and fuses with a plastic bag or something like that. Depending on how long its been since Ive cleaned it last, I'll use a soft bristle brush to get some of the tougher spots. Usually, I just spray it down with some diluted de-greaser, let it sit for a few minutes, then spray it down with a low pressure hose and let it air dry

 

Ive had more problems with dist caps getting wet then any other...except for an OLDS that had the coil paks on the pass front...water got under one pak and torched it, but then this was a known problem with that particular engine..nevr had any alt problems ever..and I go back to cars with generators, remember those? Brush changes? Armature cutting? Point style volt regulators? Exposed wire terminals....ahhhh, the good old days.

 

Jeff, I'm with you on that one. I try not to powerwash a HOT engine, but other than that, I blast away... I have a power washer at home, so no need to go to the car wash.

 

You are defiantly dating yourself on that one, but unfortunately I can relate. I used to use gunk and a garden hose, and always had to take off the distributer cap and dry it and the points off. I wonder how many of those on the forum today even know what points are
You've got to love the improvements made in ignition systems today.