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#1
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Engine Compartment Cleaning?
My engine compartment is nice and clean and I'd like to keep it that way. Our dusty roads are already building up a film of dust on everything. Is spray cleaning at a car wash an ok thing to do? Or maybe at home with the hose? Seems to me since there's nothing electronic in there and if I'm not too vigorous with spray, there'd be no problem, but what do I know?
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You're a daisy if you do. __________________________________ 84 Euro 240D 4spd. 220.5k sold 04 Honda Element AWD 1985 F150 XLT 4x4, 351W with 270k miles, hay hauler 1997 Suzuki Sidekick 4x4 1993 Toyota 4wd Pickup 226K and counting |
#2
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I would use a garden hose with a gentle spray to remove road dust. Do it on a sunny day, of which you have many, so the engine compartment can dry afterwards. Don't spray cold water onto a hot exhaust manifold. Additionally, any time you are working on the car, wipe anything within reach with a clean rag to remove dust and grime.
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"Buster" in the '95 Our all-Diesel family 1996 E300D (W210) . .338,000 miles Wife's car 2005 E320 CDI . . 113,000 miles My car Santa Rosa population 176,762 (2022) Total. . . . . . . . . . . . 627,762 "Oh lord won't you buy me a Mercedes Benz." -- Janis Joplin, October 1, 1970 |
#3
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I spray Simple Green on (cold Engine problem) areas; let it sit 10-15min and Hose it off while the Engine is cold.
Many times I have gone for a ride right afterwards. If you live some place where the water would freeze; after hosing I would go for a drive to dry everthing out. I do not know exactly which models but after 1985 some of the models have some electronic part that if you get water in it gets damaged. No one had mentioned this happening to them for alomst 2 years and I did not pay attention as I do not have to worry about that.
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84 300D, 82 Volvo 244Gl Diesel |
#4
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Cleaning an Engine
I maybe speaking out of turn but I have always been told don't clean a diesel engine -- especially the injectors with water. With that said I could be all wet. However, the rationale that I was provided is that the tollerances within an injector are extremely fine and the sudden expansion/contraction that water could cause might mess them up. Also, with today's CDI process it is possible that water could seep into the electronics and cause some major issues. I personally wipe as best as I can my engine compartment with a damp rag once or twice a year.
This isn't a technical argument and I apologize. 3pointstar
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#5
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Simple green will munch at aluminum parts. Don't let it sit for a super long time.
-Jason
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1991 350SDL. 230,000 miles (new motor @ 150,000). Blown head gasket Tesla Model 3. 205,000 miles. Been to 48 states! Past: A fleet of VW TDIs.... including a V10,a Dieselgate Passat, and 2 ECOdiesels. 2014 Cadillac ELR 2013 Fiat 500E. |
#6
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I wrapped the alternator in a plastic bag before washing, removed the air filter assembly, and sealed the turbo shut.
I used purple power, let it sit for 5 minutes, and then hit it with the pressure washer. After air drying for a few minutes (in the sun) I reassembled the air cleaner and drove around to dry the engine. I've gotten many compliments on my spotless diesel engine bay Make sure you paint/oil the bare metal after washing. After I cleaned my engine I developed rust on the oil pan/block.
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$60 OM617 Blank Exhaust Flanges $110 OM606 Blank Exhaust Flanges No merc at the moment |
#7
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i don't wrap or mask anything off. i'm crazy that way. i first spray simple green and let it sit a few minutes, then i top it off with engine degreaser and a few more minutes for it to soak in, then a 1500 psi pressure washer. when i first bought my 300d-T turbo, i spent about an hour of constant pressure washing and i got off about 90% of the gunk including from the bottom of the car. crazy gunk created by diesel engines
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i know Jim Smith. i don't actually know him, but I know of him
http://imageshack.com/a/img923/6201/RQ1H6A.jpg |
#8
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Quote:
Nice to see some sort of endosement on it.
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84 300D, 82 Volvo 244Gl Diesel |
#9
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It's patina not gunk.
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2009 E320 Bluetec 117,000 1995 E300D 306,000 Sold 1996 Ford Taurus LX 130,000 Sold 1985 300TD Still 225,000 Sold 2016 Ford Fusion 24,900 |
#10
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Of course try not to get the electrics to wet. I have read on this site many times that you do not want to spray cold water on the IP if it is warm, so I don’t. I always clean the engine area of my car with a spray cleaner like Grease Grizzly or similar and then with the hose but I do it after the car has been sitting overnight and the engine is totally cold.
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1983 300SD 200000miles |
#11
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I like a garden hose on a totally cold engine.
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Current Diesels: 1981 240D (73K) 1982 300CD (169k) 1985 190D (169k) 1991 350SD (113k) 1991 350SD (206k) 1991 300D (228k) 1993 300SD (291k) 1993 300D 2.5T (338k) 1996 Dodge Ram CTD (442k) 1996 Dodge Ram CTD (265k) Past Diesels: 1983 300D (228K) 1985 300D (233K) |
#12
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Quote:
- Peter.
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2021 Chevrolet Spark Formerly... 2000 GMC Sonoma 1981 240D 4spd stick. 347000 miles. Deceased Feb 14 2021 2002 Kia Rio. Worst crap on four wheels 1981 240D 4spd stick. 389000 miles. 1984 123 200 1979 116 280S 1972 Cadillac Sedan DeVille 1971 108 280S |
#13
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My dipstick fits snugly, I don't think that'd be an issue.
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You're a daisy if you do. __________________________________ 84 Euro 240D 4spd. 220.5k sold 04 Honda Element AWD 1985 F150 XLT 4x4, 351W with 270k miles, hay hauler 1997 Suzuki Sidekick 4x4 1993 Toyota 4wd Pickup 226K and counting |
#14
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Quote:
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84 300D, 82 Volvo 244Gl Diesel |
#15
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Purple power's active ingredient is Potassium Hydroxide IRRC. It is even more aggressive than Simple Green on aluminum so don't let it soak on the aluminum too long. You can see it fizzle.
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85 300D turbo pristine w 157k when purchased 161K now 83 300 D turbo 297K runs great. SOLD! 83 240D 4 spd manual- parted out then junked |
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