I'd like to spray my engine bay down with some mild detergent and hose it off. I'm really paranoid of getting the opti wet. Is there some way to cover it and protect it? (94 LT1)

Be cautious with getting the opti wet. Some guys will cover the opti with a plastic bag. Most others will warn not to use a hose around it at all. It's been recommended to just use a lot of paper towels and a cleaner such as simple green to cut through the grease.

Matthew

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Not a big deal. I do it to my 92 once a year.
Even though the 94 Opti is vented, it still gas the GM paper gasket between the can & body so, as Matthew said, bag it.

A plastic grocery bag is about the right size. Put over the opti then use rags on top of the opti. Push the rags in to all the crevices lightly with a screw driver. They will hold the bag inplace and soak up some of the water.

Before you do that, warm the engine to 100-120 water temp.

Depends on how dirty your engine is but if there's grease/dirt in places, remove most of it with a stiff nylon brush (harbor freight) or even a toothbrush.

Foam degreasers work well BUT it's best to keep them off rubber parts (they tend to turn rubber white). Do not buy the Gunk brand, it stinks and the smell will last for weeks in the car. A decent brand is Tech at Walmart.

Pull the plastic injector covers and clean them separately.

Spray the Simple Green on but try to not get much on the electrical connectors. Let the SG work for a bit but don't let it dry. If it starts to dry, hit it with a bit more SG.

Since SG drys, I's suggest doing the motor first and then doing everything else, wheel wells, etc.

Use a light fan spray with the hose, nothing more. The hose isn't meant to power wash off any crud. DO NOT spray directly at the opti.

If you have compressed air, blow the water off. You can also use a shop vac on "blow" but you have to empty it and remove the filter first so that you don't blow crap out of the vacuum on to the motor.

Then start the engine and bring it up to normal temps.

If you really want to do the engine bay right, check the battery tray and below with a flash light before you start. Look for any white powder (it's probably there). If it's there, pull the battery and wash everything down with bakingsoda/water. If your battery has the original square foam thing that goes around the battery - take it off and throw it away (it's full of battery acid).

This is the safest method ;-)

Okay, I'm going to try wrapping a plastic bag around and stuffing around it with rags. It's not greasy just really dusty and the last time it was done I think someone used armorall on it so the dust is all stuck to it.

Add to Bill's comments about the battery.

Remove the tray, too. Lots of rust can form on the chassis rail under the battery. Hit it with a steel brush, taking off as much of this rust as you can, then repaint.

I recommend the Dupli-Color engine paints, using grey primer and then follow with semi-gloss black. Let that side of the car sit in the sun for a while before getting it wet - like an hour. At least. I would consider painting last, anyway.

Check your battery connectors for corrosion up the line, too.

oh, one last thing... when you replace the opti next, regardless of brand, really, use a skim coat of copper RTV over the cap to body seal of the opti. This will help keep moisture out.

Also, install a small rubber hose from the water pump weep hole, so it will direct moisture outside the area of the opti. This hose can be directed down, next to the opti and pass it completely.

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Cool, just don't spray the rags/bag.

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+1 but I very much recommend Dupli-Color Hi-Temp Ceramic semi-gloss black.

It's the only s-g black I'll use. Painted my exhaust with it 4 years ago, looks like new. Also did the battery tray.

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If it's a MSD, it's o-ring sealed and works extremely well.

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Same with the DynaSpark. It is very well sealed.