All you need to do is cover all electrical wires and stuff with a> plastic sheet. Get a engine Gunk Cleaner can, and spray all over; wait> for 5-10mins and clean with water. Distilled water may be a overkill.> Make sure you do not start the car for 30mins. After cleaning, I also> spray a can of WD40, on all rubber parts and hoses for protection and> long lasting elasticity. Make sure you don't spray WD40 on belts.>

I plan on cleaning the engine compartment of my 97> accord with 137,000 miles. I know to cover the alternator> and obvious electrical connectors. I also hear advice to> cover the distributor, but from my what I recall Honda> 2.2 vtec engines are distributorless. Are there any other> parts of the engine compartment that I should be extra> carefull to keep water away from?> I plan to use Simple green, a low-pressure mist, a cold> engine when cleaning and to final rinse with distilled water.

The fact you'll be avoiding high-pressure water almost guarantees> you'll stay out of trouble.>

Do not apply WD-40 to any rubber or plastic> keep silicone oil from getting sucked into the engine

The fact you'll be avoiding high-pressure water almost guarantees> you'll stay out of trouble.

Do not apply WD-40 to any rubber or plastic since it's almost like> mineral spirits and can attack them, especially the water hoses, whose> EDPM rubber (also used for weatherstrips) is impervious to almost> everything except oils. Silicone oil (spray lube, many vinyl/rubber> protectants) is an exception, keep silicone from getting sucked into> the engine, such as through the intake or a vacuum leak (loose hose)> because it can ruin oxygen sensors. Actually EDPM rubber doesn't need> silicone oil because it's virtually impervious to UV rays and ozone.,> unlike vacuum, fuel, and brake hoses.>