i just bought an '01 tacoma about 2 weeks ago and i went halfass mudding and the engine looks dirty as hell. do any of you actually clean them or just let it look dirty... it really doesnt bother me to have it dirty but if there is an easy way of keeping it semi clean id like to do that. thanks

 

simple green ... or go pick up a few cans of engine cleaner ... also rinse the engine when ur done mudding before it dries

 

I vote for the "engine cleaner", three (3) cans of Gunk foaming engine cleaner and a trip to the car wash for the power wash wands always do it for me, but I'd be careful hosing anything off after wheeling in some mud before it dries, sdastg1, to avoid causing any damage from spraying cold water on a hot engine.

 

and when im mudding its usually 20 minutes from my house, so its mostly dry by then anyway

 

Degreaser and a high pressure. I have done that on my '99 Civic and it looks brand new!

 

Simple - never, EVER, take it out of the garage.

 

Get an engine cleaner and degreaser spray it on the cool engine then hose it off with a regular garden hose, I always do this and have never had a problem.

 

Speaking of degreasers (I like Foamy Engine Brite) I found that if it's not grimy (oilyish) cleaners usually don't do much since they only work on oils. A buddy of mine years ago who was fanatic detailer would put diesel in a spray bottle (or use WD40 but it didn't work as well) and mist the whole engine compt down with it. Wait a few minutes then spray the cleaner and hose it off - instant squeaky clean! Not sure how wise it is for rubber and plastic parts, but then it's not on there for long.

 

This is my 01 Tacoma and I'm off road about 3 day's a week. There is a car wash on my way home and I stop there and hit it with high preasure and soap and then mean green and rinse. Never had a problem with cracking anything on any of my 4 wheel drives over the years. When I get home I like to use mothers plastic , rubber , leather cleaner. Spray it on anything plastic or rubber, let it sit a few minutes and wipe off. Mike
[IMG][/IMG]

 

Jesus that must take forever, WIPING off every rubber or plastic item?!?! Damn! I mean, if it was a spray on, hose off I could see it, but chances of me ever wiping each item under the hood is ridiculous.

 

A good mud rinse is fun!

 

Intrepid, It takes me about 10 minutes to spray it and wipe it down. To me it's really worth it because it really makes it nice to work on and it's alot easier of the wireing and parts if it's not full of mud, grease and grime. Sometimes I like to spray wax the firewall and inside finders. Next time the dirt or mud just slides off and it really looks great.Also helps to spray contact cleaner on all the wiring and electrical components now and then.
Don't get me wrong, off road there is no babying this thing. Briers , branches , mud , water and stones are all part of the fun. But I do believe if I take care of it , it will take care of me , :0) Mike

 

Flame, If you put some whip cream on that thing and a cherrie on top I'de eat it!, Lol. It looks like a big chocolate Toyota, Ha! Mike

 

HAHA!

 

Foam it with Gunk(R), lightly brush it with a bristled brush, rinse it and drive it for a day to two. Then spray with 303 Aerospace Protectant.

The result?

 

do you have to avoid getting any certain parts of the engine wet?

 

Guess thats what California trucks engine bays look like! No salt at all! :p

 

I do the Gunk, been doing it actually, but where do you get the "303 Aerospace Protectant" at?

Oh, by the way, dat shure is purty!

 

http://www.303products.com

They have a list of online dealers and a search for your area where they sell it at.

I have never used this product before but I went out and bought a bottle to try out.

They have a picture of some guys old style mustang. The engine looks really clean. I figured they just built the engine and took a picture after it was done. I could be wrong but it just looks that way.

Here is a pic of the engine.
http://www.303products.com/images/engineawesome.jpg

 

Don't be scared of spraying the engine with a high pressure washer. I been doing it for years and it works great. Just don't directly hit the distributor and the intake inlet and you are fine. Remember the engine is designed to get wet from rain, water, etc. It is not that fragile.