Cleaning Engine Bay and replacing some tailpipe?

Hey guys ok so first question: Whats the best way to clean the engine bay? What do i need to cover up etc.?

heres what it looks like right now (after the august run)


Second question: How exactly do I put on this new tailpipe end? My stock one fell off on the run (about 6-7inches of it rusted off and BAM) Heres the break and a pic of the new pipe. I measured the old pipe at 2" so i got a 2.25" end.



Heres the pipe ive found to fit over (with a little overlap)

You should not have to cover up anything except air inlet, just use the garden hose.

Markmmaark wrote:You should not have to cover up anything except air inlet, just use the garden hose.

Ok thanks mark.

Looks like you have a 4 cylinder engine, does it have a distributor? if so just cover it up a bit and try not to force water in it, same with air inlet.
Good luck with that tail pipe Mike.
Some times you are just better off biting the bullet if budget alows and replace extension pipe muffler and tail pipe.
It could bite you when you least expect it, like in the trail 100 miles from home.
Mark,

Go to AutoZone and buy a spray bottle of Simple Green. Soak everything with it first then hose off with light water pressure.

Will do! and It looks like i should save up for your suggestion mark on the tailpipe. Besides - I need it to pass inspection/emission in march.

TJmike91 wrote:Will do! and It looks like i should save up for your suggestion mark on the tailpipe. Besides - I need it to pass inspection/emission in march.

You'll still pass inspection with the end of your tailpipe missing.

Ryan M wrote:

TJmike91 wrote:Will do! and It looks like i should save up for your suggestion mark on the tailpipe. Besides - I need it to pass inspection/emission in march.

You'll still pass inspection with the end of your tailpipe missing.

Eh, depends on the place, but most will pass you.

But yeah, like Ryan said, simple green or engine degreaser, let sit, then gently hose off.

I usually cover the distributor and fuse box with a plastic bag when I hose more forcefully.

Also, it's better for your engine if you let it cool all the way first, obviously.

I wonder how the rest of your exhaust looks if the tail pipe rusted that bad. You'll find out after the inspection.

It's frowned upon, but I get away with it without having a distributor. I power wash my engine bay. If you do: Cover the air intake, and make sure everything is tight (wires, hoses, caps, ect).

If you power wash anything just remember that you are washing it with ten million times more pressure than it took to get it on there in the first place.
Mud is splashed on so using pressure washer forces water and dirt etc where it never would have got in first place like in bearings, past seals etc

It does not have to be so clean that you can eat off of the engine.
If it is not covered with oil and grease then you should only need to pre soak with water and cheap dish liquid and then use garden hose with good nozzle .
Be very careful around radiator.
Just my 2 cents.

I gave Sammy a good and thorough clean using your advice Mark. I did most of it with a garden hose, some dish soap and a lot an old beach towel. Looks good!

As for the exhaust system - its started one of those leak sounds so instead of them fixing the leak Im just gonna opt they replace it. Its a 97 I figure it'll probably need it anyway?