Engine Cleaning Question
 

I bought my first NA FC about 2 weeks ago and it had been sitting under a pine tree for two years before the previous owner sold it to me (go figure, what a great place to keep it). As you can imagine the car has pine needles literally everywhere, somehow they managed to get inside the car, in the vents, any visible (or non-visible) crack and crevice, including the engine bay. I wanted to use a simple hose with a pressure nozzle on it to wash them all away since it would be almost impossible by hand. However, I dont want to get water anywhere that it shouldnt be, if anyone could tell me if I should cover certain things with plastic to keep the water out first, or if I should not do it at all it would help me alot. :)

Its ok to spray the engine bay with a pressure washer, just don't overdo parts where theres alot of electrical, and make sure you let it sit for an hour or so before you start it. The best is a pressure washer with a bottle of degreaser concentrate (castrol degreaser) hooked up to it. This is for grease though...

for pine needles and that sort of gluyee assed shit, use TSP. Its another form of concentrated cleaner, you mix it in with water.
The TSP that I use comes in a small blue milk carton, it has these tiny white pebbles of TSP that you mix in with water, stuff works real real good, make sure you use gloves. This is the best for the exterior of the car, use it with a sponge, some gloves and bucked mixed with warm water. I buy mine at london drugs, but im sure any hardware store or auto store has it.

Thanks BlaCkPlaGUE Thats absolutely all the info that I needed.