2000 4Runner and mud problem
 

I cannot be the only person with this problem, and maybe it has already been mentioned here.

But here's my problem:

I have a 2000 4Runner. Every fall I run into this issue because its hunting season and my truck sees some mud.

When my truck gets muddy, it seems that the air intake is getting somewhat plugged(or so I think). My gas mileage will go way down. If its get really bad or I go fast where more air is needed, my check engine light will go on. I have to take it to a car wash to get rid of the mud. Then I restart it a couple times and the check engine light goes away.

Then last summer my check engine light went on without going in the mud, and I had to replace the mass air flow sensor.

So, does anyone else have this problem and how can I fix it? I don't like washing my truck every time after I go thru a little mud. And replacing the mass air flow sensor was expensive, and I think mud plugging the air intake is part of the reason why it went bad.

This is the first real problem I've had with this vehicle, and it crimpin' my hunting style!