Originally Posted by bmwrp8
For washing an engine I usually use either Gunk's Foamy Engine Brite or Purple Power, I've got both in the detail bay here. The Gunk is for the cars that are just ridiculously filthy with oil and sludge (yes, on the outside of the engine) that end up getting power washed. Yeah, everyone's got an opinion on power washing, I've been doing it for years and years and never had a problem. The Purple Power works awesome for average road crap under the hood. It'll knock loose 90% of all dirt and crap on 90% of the cars out there. Hit it with the PP, let it soak for a few minutes, wash off with normal hose. Let dry, re-apply as necessary.