DOHC VTEC engine bay clean

[chinx_4eva]

Hey guys!

engine bay is getting a bit dirty, haven't cleaned it up in god knows when so hopefully get around doing so in the not too distant future
My bay doesn't stand that bad when you look at it but underneath is getting a bit tacky :(

http://img88.imageshack.us/img88/2585/dsc0039edit.jpg
looks pretty bad

now im just not 100% sure which are the exact things i should cover up before i go ahead with the clean but know the general jist of it
Mothers DIY : How to clean your engine bay (http://www.ozhonda.com/forum/showthread.php?145730-Mothers-DIY-How-to-clean-your-engine-bay) is an excellent thread
the only thing is that it doesn't tell me 2 things, do we need to cover the distributor cap when cleaning because when i watch youtube videos people advise to do so
and does the alternator need to be covered as well?

http://img842.imageshack.us/img842/8647/dsc0037edit.jpg

they are the things im planning to cover, no idea what the '?' thing is LOL and would have no idea how to reach the alternator as it sits down below so hopefully if its cool then I wouldn't need to cover it

any help is appreciated!
thanks guys! :D

[infurNOS]

The question mark thing is your ABS module. I would NEVER spray water onto my engine. Just get dome degreaser, a tooth brush, a little elbow grease and a rag. It will take you forever but IMO you will end up with a better result.

[DCZ 18C]

Cover your alarm also ... And make sure you leave the car to dry off completely before you drive it... Don't try dry it by turning the car on or something..
The idea is you cover all
Sensitive electrical dude..
Goodluck :)

[Mattski_VTIR]

Hey Mate,

You will be fine to clean your engine bay with a degreaser and high pressure water (gernie) Dont spray to close (can damage/strip paint on valve cover), i would def recomend that you cover any alarm siren (if installed) and dizzy.
Dont directly spray water onto any electrical connectors (esspecially dizzy). All honda engine bays have tiny o rings in the connectors to stop water getting in, doesnt mean it cant tho.
Most important thing to remember is drying the engine bay with compressed air or even a leaf blower (if you dont have air comp). In four years working with honda, i have cleaned countless engine bays this way and have only ever seen one problem with a dizzy (wasnt dried properly). but once dried, car ran fine.

BTW you wont need to cover your ABS unit, and wouldnt get carried away trying to cover you alt.

hope this gives you some reasurance

[Bludger]

yeah, what he said.