General Cleanliness Question

[Brendan]

On Wednesday 09 November 2005 01:24 pm, Andrew and Katie Butitta wrote:
> So my Audi is doing fine now, after I replaced the exhaust and
> cleaned the ISV. My question, however, is regarding my Mitsubishi
> minivan. I was out just now adjusting the idle on it and noticed
> smoke from the engine compartment.
>
> I've got about 6 months worth of oily goopy sludge dripping down the
> front of the head and falling on the exhaust manifold and burning. I
> know I'm really close to an engine fire here, and rest assured I'll
> be ordering a new valve cover gasket *real soon,* but until then:
>
> What's the best / fastest / easiest / cheapest way to clean built-up
> oil drippings off of an engine head?

Cover things in plastic baggies...SimpleGreen, scrubbers, warm soapy water, 
warm engine...potpourri...