Power-washing engine/drivetrain sans frame

[Motorhobo]

While I have the engine/drivetrain off the frame in the process of this project:

http://www.motobrick.com/index.php/topic,8569.0.html

I want to trailer up the engine, drivetrain and rear wheel while they're isolated from the electronics of the bike and give them a powerwash at the local self-serve car wash. I was planning on trying to seal off the injector ports and wrap the throttle bodies and alternator in a plastic bag, stuffing something in the starter port, and sealing off the open hoses with plastic and rubber bands. Of course, I'll avoid pointing the nozzle at anything that's not metal. My first question is -- is there any reason I should NOT do this?

If there's no general reason not to do it, the further questions would be:

• What is the best way to plug up the injector ports to prevent water from getting in? I was thinking of shoving a short section of tubing in there with the end capped. Anybody know what size tubing or if there's some kind of plug that would fit in there to seal it off?
• Is there anything else that should be sealed off or protected from pressurized cleaning fluid?
• What's the best solution to use to degrease and clean? Suggestions on car forums include oven cleaner, gas, diesel fuel, some stuff from ZEP and Gunk. I don't want to use a spray bottle (too slow and too much work), I want something that's aerosolized and fast.

Any suggestions appreciated...

MH

[Martin]

I personally would not high pressure wash, to much of a chance of getting water in where you don't want it. I would just use cheap engine degreaser and a stiff brush. We can get cheap degreaser for $3.00 a can on special from Supercheap and have found that adequate when used in conjunction with a stiff brush. If you have a compressor you can also use degreaser or kero in a kero gun it  works well.  I use one of those big plastic storage tubs to keep the mess down.
Regards Martin.

[Motorhobo]

OK. I'm kind of loathe to do it in the driveway because the greasy, oily crud waste ends up in the groundwater. At least with the carwash places they're supposed to process the waste, and even if they don't. at least it ends up at city wastewater treatment, for what that's worth. Here where I live we're on septic and well water and if I do it here, we and all the other critters that live around here end up drinking greasy wastewater next week.

[Martin]

I can do mine in a big plastic storage tub(30"L X 15"W X 5.5"D ) and if you just use degreaser and a brush you should be able to contain it. We have a local recycle facility where you can dump waste products, I don't know if you have the same. I understand your reluctance to do it in your driveway if you can not contain it. I don't know the name of the product but I do believe that there are environment friendly degrease products around.
Regards Martin.