The best engine cleaner I have found is S100 Motorcycle cleaner.
Spray on, hose off. Made in Germany.

http://www.properautocare.com/s1totcycclea.html

They also have a cleaner specific to wheels.

Todd
'88 Vanagon

Vanagon Man wrote:

> Volks,
> At the hardware store there is stuff called TSP............it is a white
> powder that mixes with water.   Mix some of it up and use a sponge (and
> gloves) to wipe down the engine bay and other dingy painted areas.  Will
> look like new.
>
> Adam P
> 81 westy (2 of them)
> 74 beetle
> 73 Transporter (new!!!!!!!) Total resto in progress
>
> Vanagon Partsmobiles
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Dave Baker" <DBAKER5@KC.RR.COM>
> To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
> Sent: Thursday, August 16, 2001 10:13 PM
> Subject: Re: brake question as well.
>
> > Bryan wrote:
> >
> >
> > > ... but I was up until 3:30am last night sanding and painting the engine
> > rack mount tubes, cleaning engine compartment... AH, I could eat breakfast
> > off the battery shelf, it's so clean.
> >
> >
> > Rats.  There's nothing I would love to do more than drop my engine out and
> > thoroughly clean the engine bay of my 85.  But my driveway slopes at
> around
> > 65 degrees, and the van is too high to get into my garage.  I'm seriously
> > thinking about selling my house and moving just so I'll have a place to
> work
> > on my Westy!
> >
> > Dave in KC
> > 85 Westy
> > http://members.fortunecity.com/davebaker1
> >