I did the CD today, twice, and still not happy. What do others use to do this? I used GUNK, waited the recomended 15 minutes, and still have what looks like grease stains on the alloy parts. Brushing didn't help. It does look a lot better since it probably hasn't been done in about 10 yrs.or more, but not what I am looking for.

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81 Mercedes 300SD 289k.......SOLD
82 Mercedes 300CD 252k......slow ride

82 mercedes 300 SD...mi Unknown
83 Mercedes 300D ????ksniff..gone too
84 Mercedes 300D 148k........SOLD
85 Mercedes 300TD 386k and holding some one elses project

For aluminum parts I have found using alloy wheel cleaning products works pretty good. Really tough stuff can be cleaned with wheel cleaner and a scrub brush.

I have also been told of people who clean parts removed from the engine, like a manifold, with Easy-Off. You have to be pretty careful with that stuff as it is nasty on your skin, nasty to breath vapors, and it does bad stuff to dissimilar metal joints and paint, etc. Jim

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Own:
1986 Euro 190E 2.3-16 (291,000 miles),
1998 E300D TurboDiesel, 231,000 miles -purchased with 45,000,
1988 300E 5-speed 252,000 miles,
1983 240D 4-speed, purchased w/136,000, now with 222,000 miles.
2009 ML320CDI Bluetec, 89,000 miles

Owned:
1971 220D (250,000 miles plus, sold to father-in-law),
1975 240D (245,000 miles - died of body rot),
1991 350SD (176,560 miles, weakest Benz I have owned),
1999 C230 Sport (45,400 miles),
1982 240D (321,000 miles, put to sleep)

I have used both Simple green and or WD40 with good results.

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1980 300TD-T (82 Turbo and Trans) 159,000 Miles "Jackie-O"
1983 300SD 272,000 Miles "Aristotle"
1987 Jeep Wagoneer Limited - keeps the MB's off the ice and out of the snow
1994 BMW 530it

Check this thread: Cleaning out the pipes? Egr, Intake and exhaust how to remove carbon?

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Own:
1986 Euro 190E 2.3-16 (291,000 miles),
1998 E300D TurboDiesel, 231,000 miles -purchased with 45,000,
1988 300E 5-speed 252,000 miles,
1983 240D 4-speed, purchased w/136,000, now with 222,000 miles.
2009 ML320CDI Bluetec, 89,000 miles

Owned:
1971 220D (250,000 miles plus, sold to father-in-law),
1975 240D (245,000 miles - died of body rot),
1991 350SD (176,560 miles, weakest Benz I have owned),
1999 C230 Sport (45,400 miles),
1982 240D (321,000 miles, put to sleep)

I put a "wading pool" size catchment under the engine and scrub it down with diesel then a cleaner like 409.

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1985 Euro 240D 5 spd 140K
1979 240D 5 spd, 40K on engine rebuild
1994 Dodge/Cummins, 5 spd, 121K
1964 Allice Chalmers D15 tractor
2014 Kubota L3800 tractor
1964 VW bug

"Lifes too short to drive a boring car"

That was a big help.......I was planning on getting a gal of SG and doing an all day soak

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81 Mercedes 300SD 289k.......SOLD
82 Mercedes 300CD 252k......slow ride

82 mercedes 300 SD...mi Unknown
83 Mercedes 300D ????ksniff..gone too
84 Mercedes 300D 148k........SOLD
85 Mercedes 300TD 386k and holding some one elses project

I found on my SD that brake parts cleaner works best on sludge buildup and oil stains under the hood. Yes, i'm sure most people wont agree with me, but I used it everytime to clean up under the hood and never had any problems. It dissolves all of that build up almost instantly. Of course, its probably best to rinse the engine aftwards with the hose.

simple green is bad... it eats away at the aluminum...

I usually grab 4 cans of degreaser from autozone and just cover everything. then scrub with a windex bottle full of WD-40... then rinse.. and polish what ever I can reach. I wish I could get all of the brass looking parts refinished.



thanks for reminding me to clean my engine before the GTG.. its duuurrrrrttyyyyyy.

hey i don't want to burst your bubble but i have and owned a Harley shop 35 years -- no one has more high polished alloy that Harley guys everything is shinie and we only use simple green its the only one with out an acid -- and for motors some look as bad as our 81 300D at times we use mineral spirits low oder type at Lowe's / H Depot and a brush -- and no it does not hurt the paint --jz

I was told it eats away but not at high polished items..

Simple Green is also what I use

Engine detailing to be like new W126 diesel

http://www.maj.com/cgi-bin/gallery.cgi?f=156760

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http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7271/7...144c3fc1dc.jpg