Well the motor in my truck is covered with grime/dirt and I want to spray it off with a hose and want to know what precautions I should take to ensure that I don't cause problems with the water. also what kind of cleaner/degreaser would you use?

 

Spray it with engine degreaseer, leave it sit for 10 minutes and hit it with a power washer.

AVOID THE ALTERNATOR, other than that the engine is mechanical, don't worry about getting water in under the distributor cap

 

yeah I am planning on pulling the alternator off so I wont have to worry about water with it just wanted to make sure I wasnt going to miss anything cause I am a newb to diesels and anything electrical that might get ruined by water.

 

put a bag over the computer in the fender near the battery

 

this is a BIG ONE dont spray cold water on a hot fuel inj pump ken

 

I am pretty fussy about my engine compartment and hose it off every time I wash the truck. I just make sure the engine isn't hot, and I avoid spraying directly into the alternator. If I am able, I like to blow it dry with compressed air afterward, especially the alternator and any electrical connectors that are wet.