Thoughts on no engine cover and exposed wires, etc.

[EastonTaco]

My 2021 TRD Sport had a large plastic cover over much of the engine. This made keeping the engine compartment clean fairly simple, and things that were not covered appeared fairly sturdy. I was able to get in there with some Griots engine cleaner and a gentle spray from a garden hose to keep it looking nice. My new Gen 4 TRD Sport does not have this cover and there are many wires and tubes running all over the top of the engine. Many of these are covered in a flimsy wire loom and are taped at the ends with simple electric tape. I have two concerns: first I am concerned about getting in there and cleaning with any kind of brush or even a rag out of fear of breaking/snaping something, and second, I can't see this loom and tape arrangement standing up to heat and cold over time. Any thoughts from the mechanics out there on keeping this clean and do you think the loom and tape will be a problem down the road? Any suggestions on added to this arrangement to make it more sturdy?

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[Sagebrush]

I can't see this loom and tape arrangement standing up to heat and cold over time.

It's been done that way for decades. My 2016 had the same loom, and it was fine when I traded it in after 117,000 miles. Nothing had deteriorated.

Putting a plastic cover over that stuff isn't going to increase its longevity. There is a $100 aftermarket cover if you want to spend some money on something cosmetic.

 

[MT-Taco]

I removed my engine cover on my 2013 Tundra after finding a second mouse nest under it! Similar wiring on my Tundra and no signs or looms of harness getting brittle.

 

[TrustButVerify]

Any suggestions on added to this arrangement to make it more sturdy?

Don't spray a garden hose over your engine is one option.

Just wipe it down with a rag and some APC.

 

[TheGreatWhiteNorth]

You literally overthought all of this. Every engine for the last couple decades has wire loom/tape.

The cover is entirely cosmetic and theres little to no point to its existence. Its probably better for the engine in terms of heat removal.

Probably the worst thing you could do to your engine is wash it. You increase the odds of water getting to where it shouldnt get to. Unless you go through a mud pit and your engine is covered in mud. There is zero reason to spray water on it.

 

[goin2drt]

I have been spraying, using a pressure washer, using simple green in engine details for 30+ yrs. You are not going to damage your engine if you aren’t submerging your engine or standing there spraying it for 30 minutes you are completely fine to have a good looking engine that is dirt and gunk free.

 

[kennyk]

I was surprised when I opened my hood the first time and didn't see any kind of cosmetic cover. My previous 2011 Tacoma had one and my wife's 2020 4Runner has one. In my opinion, its not good nor is it bad...just different.

Regarding washing your engine, car detailers have been washing engines for a long time. You spray them with some degreaser made for automobile engines, let it sit for a while then hose it off. Additionally, when driving through rain, your engine gets soaked. So I don't think water impacts your engine.

 

[Soft Taco]

I was not at fan at first. After realizing how obvious and accessible every single part of this engine is I am in love. It's the easiest taco to work on in the six I've owned across three gens.

 

[HardShellTaco]

I was not at fan at first. After realizing how obvious and accessible every single part of this engine is I am in love. It's the easiest taco to work on in the six I've owned across three gens.

I have nothing productive to add. I just wanted to get our usernames together in a thread.

 

[EastonTaco]

You literally overthought all of this. Every engine for the last couple decades has wire loom/tape.

The cover is entirely cosmetic and theres little to no point to its existence. Its probably better for the engine in terms of heat removal.

Probably the worst thing you could do to your engine is wash it. You increase the odds of water getting to where it shouldnt get to. Unless you go through a mud pit and your engine is covered in mud. There is zero reason to spray water on it.

Not over thinking, better to ask a question than to do something that could cause damage when you don't know an answer.

 

[Fireguy67]

My 2021 TRD Sport had a large plastic cover over much of the engine. This made keeping the engine compartment clean fairly simple, and things that were not covered appeared fairly sturdy. I was able to get in there with some Griots engine cleaner and a gentle spray from a garden hose to keep it looking nice. My new Gen 4 TRD Sport does not have this cover and there are many wires and tubes running all over the top of the engine. Many of these are covered in a flimsy wire loom and are taped at the ends with simple electric tape. I have two concerns: first I am concerned about getting in there and cleaning with any kind of brush or even a rag out of fear of breaking/snaping something, and second, I can't see this loom and tape arrangement standing up to heat and cold over time. Any thoughts from the mechanics out there on keeping this clean and do you think the loom and tape will be a problem down the road? Any suggestions on added to this arrangement to make it more sturdy?

Victory 4x4 offers this engine cover if you want something cosmetic. It may offer some protection, but probably not a lot. I got mine because I was tired of looking at nothing but wires and tape. Easy to install easy to remove. Just my two cents.

 

[EastonTaco]

Victory 4x4 offers this engine cover if you want something cosmetic. It may offer some protection, but probably not a lot. I got mine because I was tired of looking at nothing but wires and tape. Easy to install easy to remove. Just my two cents.

Thank you for the info, looks great!

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