For the love of Tacos people clean your engine.

New to me 2003. I opened the bonnet before purchase so I had a pretty good idea of what I was getting. 170,000 miles, drives great, and I'm doing a timing belt change first thing. I'm scrapping dirty oil deposits off of this thing that are 1/4 - 1/2 inch thick. I'm on my 6th can of engine degreaser.

Once a year, at least, you should open the hood and see what you can clean.

Just my $.02 worth.

 

No snide keyboard response here: I'll agree with you!

 

I clean under the hood once a month, no exceptions.

 

Sounds like it has had some bad leaks that previous owner didn’t address.

 

I dont think your truck has ever been dirty

Kind of jelly how clean it is!

 

100k on mine. never touched the engine compartment. shes just a tad dusty though.

 

Cleaner you keep it, easier it is to keep clean!

I really dont consider it an issue until you are cleaning something that is literally already clean.

I consider dust particles something that needs to be taken care of!

 

Get after it bud!
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PSA: Please DO NOT pressure wash your engine bay. The pressurized water will be forced into wiring harnesses and places water shouldn't be. I've met a few people who made that mistake. Take it slow with some engine degreaser and a brush followed by light water.

 

that sounds a lot like work to me!

 

I can back you up on that. And after light rinsing off, let the water dry out for the most part before the next start up.

 

Ive read if you spray it down with simple green thouroughly, then start the engine to warm her up, and then finally let it cool off. Once this cycle is done, rinse with a garden hose and it should clean it up... @Misplaced Nebraskan was the one who mentioned this so if I am saying it wrong, please let us know.

 

Really? Do people have this much free time? Only do it if there is a leak to be addressed or to work on it. Avoid wasting money on countless products hyped by the industry, and the nasty waste byproducts this creates.

Next on the list, don't change your oil every 3000 miles.

 

That process would help, just try to avoid electronics (fuse box, harnesses, connectors, and the top of the valve covers where the coils go through). At the shop we stock brake clean and varsol parts cleaner so I have a different way of doing it as needed on customer vehicles. But simple green does work well!

 

I kept mine spotless until I went off the pavement for the first time. Since the mud is burnt onto everything, it's impossible to clean. What do you guys use?

 

I'd like another opinion on how to clean an engine bay. Detailed, if possible.

 

@Benzdriver81 any input?

 

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/official-ask-a-detailer-thread.8957/

 

https://www.tacomaworld.com/forums/detailing.32/