Skrewed! Hit up your grille with some tire foam or hyperdressing (whatever you used on the engine) I did it to mine before i attached a billet grille and it did wonders! Mine was turning gray also.

 

Sorry for the thread bump, but if you're not supposed to use a pressure washer or a hose, then what do you use to spray a "mist" of water over the engine? I have a hose with one of those multi-spray nozzles, and it has a mist function, but I'm talkin mist like the misters at outdoor restaurants and walkways on hot summer days, so barely anything.

 

Wow, turned out great! Good thread.

 

Great post!!

 

Using a wand with a dead man's switch I squirt my engine compartment with a stream (vice a spray). It only takes a few seconds. As per my '04, 5.4 owners manual I stay away from the battery and air intake up to the air filter. I wonder how your engines stay dirty so long?

When I wash my '04, the grill retains water, which upon first drive blows back upon the engine compartment. To remedey this just after washing I raise the hood, do some stream spraying, then take a folded towel and hit the grill while the hood is up. Thus the falling water falls onto the front of the engine compartment. With a little wiping with a towel over all reachable parts of the engine I have an engine compartment that looks like new after 3½ years. I have never used a washing agent such as soap or petroleum products on my engine compartment.

 

I want to clean my engine bay soon.

 

I don't know what I'm talking about here but I have to wonder about the spark plug issues we are having. The plugs are rusting in and I'm sure it's not the whole cause but if you don't blow out the water it can't be helping. or I guess it could be a non issue. just a thought.

 

Great job there. Paint that grill black!