Cleaning very dirty engine in 300D - Page 2 - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

OMEGAMAN · #16 02-23-2006, 08:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hatterasguy

But testing with the meter doesn't always seem to work. I had glow plugs that tested fine yet failed to actually get very hot when hooked to a battery.

WARNING if you do this hold the glow plug with a pair of pliers. If not you will burn yourself pretty bad.

So far I am 2/2 I have two MB diesels and both needed a complete set of glow plugs.

This is an amp meter so it supplies the power to the glow plug and measures the amount of current or amps that the glow plug takes. I leave the glow plugs in the engine when I do this test. No point in removing a good glow plug

eg. If you wanted to power up your headlight it would do it just fine and tell you how many amps it took to do it.

This meter is supposed to be used to for testing the output of your alternator.

t walgamuth · #17 02-23-2006, 09:03 PM

jumper cable method to test them too. i use a vise grip. (like craig).

also you might find after a good cleaning you have loose wires to them.

tom w

DCM · #18 02-23-2006, 09:10 PM

I use Gunk to get off the really thick grease but never leave it on for more than a few minutes because it has removed paint on some of my previous cars.

After brushing it in and washing it off, I use Orange cleaner next. Simple Green too sometimes but have found that Orange cleaners seem to dissolve grease a little better and wash off easier. Both do a good job though.

JimmyL · #19 02-23-2006, 09:21 PM

The car wash engine degreaser has always worked well for me, and is certainly the easiest. Also, I don't really have anywhere for the "crud" that comes off to wash away to, were I to use gunk or some such. I don't really spray directly onto the IP, but some water gets on it, and it hasn't been a problem. I like a clean engine too, but eating off of it isn't a goal.......

blueranger · #20 02-24-2006, 01:20 AM

autozone sales a generic gunk.... or just buy gunk...
get the kind that has a good smell.... (important)
then drive the car till the engine is hot..

pull into a car wash... leave the engine running...
spray the gun.... and wash with a preasure washer with the
engine running....

Hatterasguy · #21 02-24-2006, 10:09 AM

Never, never spray water on a hot IP!

boneheaddoctor · #22 02-24-2006, 04:07 PM

purple power works well........so does oven cleaner, but be carefull where you spray that stuff.

MBeige · #23 02-24-2006, 08:47 PM

Make sure you also clean the belts with the degreaser since they accumulate a good amount and will spray them all over if still gunky.

What I really like to do is get the car on a lift and clean it from there. I've never seen such lifted car wash places here in CA.

Fritz · #24 02-24-2006, 10:18 PM

Thanks to all of you for your advice. I've got a busy day tomorrow, but I'm going to try to get some time under the hood.

kmaysob · #25 02-24-2006, 10:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hatterasguy

Just an fyi I tested all the glow plugs on my SD when I first got it, they all tested fine. But when hooking them up to a battery only two actually glowed red.

All five were replaced and it started a lot better.

To clean your engine start with Gunk and a couple of brush's. You will need a few large ones and a few about the size of a tooth brush. Keep working it and re spraying the Gunk.

After you get 95% of the crud go back with Simple Green over everything. Get some Q tips and start working on the details.

Yes I am nuts but you can eat off my engine.

Step two is sealing the oil leaks that made the mess.

got any pics to back that up?

bodyart27 · #26 02-25-2006, 08:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by boneheaddoctor

purple power works well........so does oven cleaner, but be carefull where you spray that stuff.

Stick to Simple Green and some elbow grease - some of that stuff will etch / oxidize aluminum! Read those labels carefully!

TheDon · #27 02-25-2006, 09:07 AM

i have an electric pressure washer.. if i put it to its lowest setting with some degreaser would that be fine?

Hatterasguy · #28 02-25-2006, 01:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kmaysob

got any pics to back that up?

Finally pics of my SDL!

Only some old ones from 2004. It was pretty dirty when I snapped them btw.

After I get her painted this summer, with a euro front end conversion, and all new trim I'll do a better photo shoot.

Bosch euro lights, 1986-91 euro wipers, and a euro front bumper are coming.

The body will be taken down to sheet metal, and I need to replace the front left fender. A fresh coat of 904 blue is going on, and all new chrome trim and probably about 70% of the rubber on the body will be getting replaced. With brand new OE dealer stock of course.

Ralph69220d · #29 02-26-2006, 11:01 AM

Glow plugs with bad internal insulation might test fine on the bench, but in the engine, when running under extreme pressures, they might not work because significant current can leak across the faulty insulation resulting in a partial short, hence reduced current to light gp's.