I have my intake manifold off and im looking for advice to clean out all the soot and grease caused by the EGR (which is now removed). I seem to remember somebody torching it?? or are solvent the way to go? How abaout diesel?

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1983 300SD

I soaked mine in some B99 and used a couple long wire bottle brushes I picked up at the flea market for a couple bucks. The crud came right out. It is a VERY messy job. That crap is hard to get off your hands. Be sure and use gloves!

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AJ

1985 300D (SOLD)

Never torch a intake manifold.

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Current Garage
2008 Mercedes GL320 CDI 188k mi Repair/Work in progress
1994 S350 160k mi Garage Queen & prepping for repairs
2005 E320 CDI 203k mi Healthy & Daily Driver
1994 S350 357k mi Retried as parts car
1984 300TD 214k mi Blown OM617 Poss OM603 Swap??

Sold
1987 300SDL 200K+
1994 S320 181K mi
2008 E320 Bluetec 127k mi
1999 S420 130K mi
1980 240D 360k mi
15+ Others that has come, stay and gone

GONE, BUT NOT FORGOTTEN
1995 E320 SE 220k mi
1984 300SD 350k mi

Currently have mine off as well. I plan on taking it to a shop (NAPA) that has a dunk tank. I've done intake cleanings in my Ford a couple times and it's always a real PITA....and seriously messy. Never fun.

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Chris
1985 300SD - 'Grace' (198K mi.)
2018 Honda Civic Sport
2018 Honda CRV LX
2010 Honda Fit Sport (RIP)
2013 Honda Accord Sport (Sold)
1996 Lexus LS400 (Retired)
1995 Ford Contour SE (Retired)
1976 Porsche 914 (Sold)
1972 Datsun 240Z (RIP)

I used gasoline on mine (and worked outside). Biodiesel probably would have been just as good and certainly safer. Brake cleaner also works but is more expensive. Hot-tank dipping is probably best if you have the time to wait for it to get done.

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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

Torching is a good way to warp your manifold. Any of the other cleaning methods will work. Once its clean & no EGR it will stay clean.

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Grumpy Old Diesel Owners Club group

I no longer question authority, I annoy authority. More effect, less effort....

1967 230-6 auto parts car. rust bucket.
1980 300D now parts car 800k miles
1984 300D 500k miles
1987 250td 160k miles English import
2001 jeep turbo diesel 130k miles
1998 jeep tdi ~ followed me home. Needs a turbo.
1968 Ford F750 truck. 6-354 diesel conversion.
Other toys ~J.D.,Cat & GM ~ mainly earth moving

While not typically endorsed by the owner/operator of the car wash, I typically take mine to one of those places with a high pressure wand for cleaning your car and blast the crap out in a few minutes. I typically put enough money in the coin slot to wash down the wall and the floor when I am done.

I have found solvents and brushes to be minimally effective - it is mostly elbow grease that gets the job done by that method in my experience, and I share the experience that it gets all over your hands and the work area doing it the elbow grease way. I spent more on a gallon of that green solvent, Kerosene, Diesel fuel and a bunch of high powered solvents from various sources the first time I did this than doing the job 5 times would cost at the car wash. I even let is soak over night. Still acted like soft tar.

The car wash method leaves a mostly shiny aluminum surface. There are some places you can't get the proper velocity on and a thin smear of residue will remain. If you are bothered by that the surface can be approached by the elbow grease method - much easier and practical once the bulk of the goo is gone.

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)

Second that.

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1987 300D (230,000 mi on a #14 head-watching the temp gauge and keeping the ghost in the machine)
Raleigh NC - Home of deep fried sushi!

I did mine one time at work using the steam cleaner. Had my rain gear on and rubber boots. good thing, as that black crap gets all over. had to hold the manifold down with my foot because of the pressure of the spray wand.

then I had to clean me off . at least the manifold was clean.

I have pulled off a few manifolds from the 78, 79 W116 300SD, and as old os they are, they are really clean. just a oil film from the vave cover blow-by. these were pre EGR for you nubee`s.

Charlie

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there were three HP ratings on the OM616...

1) Not much power
2) Even less power
3) Not nearly enough power!! 240D w/auto

Anyone that thinks a 240D is slow drives too fast.

80 240D Naturally Exasperated, 4-Spd 388k DD 150mph spedo 3:58 Diff

We are advised to NOT judge ALL Muslims by the actions of a few lunatics, but we are encouraged to judge ALL gun owners by the actions of a few lunatics. Funny how that works

In my case, it took me 4 months to complete my engine project, so mine spent that amount of time soaking in B5 biodiesel in a five-gallon bucket. The crud melted.

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327K on 1986 W201, 602.911, 722.414 2.5 190D ("The Red Baron")
139K on 1993 W124, 104.942, 722.433 2.8 300E ("Queen")

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4081/...0bb92d3c_m.jpg http://i370.photobucket.com/albums/o...g?t=1325284354

Do not worry about your difficulties in Mathematics. I can assure you mine are still greater.
- Albert Einstein

take a walk down memory lane...

These people are believers..

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oet4qWeZuYA

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=reJmZQwR0MA&feature=fvw

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1983 123.133 California
- GreaseCar Veg System

From the bottom of the genetic pool?

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AJ

1985 300D (SOLD)

Bio diesel does an amazing job, soak it and walk away for an hour -good luck!

TRUE! Volkswagen is the largest religion in the WORLD - They also believe they have a real engine behind them.

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1987 300D (230,000 mi on a #14 head-watching the temp gauge and keeping the ghost in the machine)
Raleigh NC - Home of deep fried sushi!

The pressure washers work great. I just did this on mine. Does anyone know what the proper torque spec is for reinstalling the manifold? And is a new gasket required or is it reusable?

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1981 300SD, 270K, two tank wvo system
1985 300D, 288K, california version
1985 300DT wagon, 315k, broken odo