85 300D Engine Wash - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

rmmagow · #1 04-30-2012, 01:47 PM

Well, not so much the engine from the top, mostly I want to clean the underside, oil pan, front end, tranny area etc.
There a lot of oil etc there, probably never been touched.
I am thinking to get the car up on ramps, liberally spray the underside with Simple Green then take a pressure washer to it to rinse off and clean a bit more.
I want to clean off the area near the oil lines, turbo, transmission top and sides.
I am not looking for a show finish, I just want to be able to work under the car without looking like a coal-miner after I am done.
No active leaking and only a little driveway staining after sitting for a month.
I am not thinking to fervently about the upside of the engine, maybe the bay a little with the battery out.
I might simple green up top but rinse off with gentle washing, not pressure. Also, the pressure washer is not super strong and is easy to regulate.

Go for it or leave well enough alone?
Anything underside to be real careful with?
Thanks

TnBob · #2 04-30-2012, 01:56 PM

Soak your 617 in Simple Green or Purple or whatever and simply go for it. Avoid the air input area. I try to not spend too much time on the alternator too.

kerry · #3 04-30-2012, 02:35 PM

Put on some old clothes, go to the car wash, lay on the ground beside your car and spray off the underside. Take your ramps and put it up on ramps if you want better access.

Shortsguy1 · #4 04-30-2012, 03:07 PM

Could Simple Green damage the rubber parts of the suspension? I paid a Indy Merc mechanic to replace most of the rubber on the steering components of my 68 220d about 1.5 months ago, and they are already cracked. I don't know what brand of part they used, but their website claims:
"We use OEM or factory approved parts for all repairs, and follow the instructions in Mercedes-Benz service manuals to ensure that your warranty won't be compromised."

Specifically, I used Simple Green Automotive which I diluted to 50% strength prior to spraying it on anything. I let it soak in for a minute or two, and then rinsed it off very well. The MSDS claims Simple Green Automotive is compatible with all materials. The mechanic has a 2 year warranty on their work, but I want to make sure I didn't mess things up myself.

Has anyone else damaged rubber bushings with Simple Green?

rmmagow · #5 04-30-2012, 03:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kerry

Put on some old clothes, go to the car wash, lay on the ground beside your car and spray off the underside. Take your ramps and put it up on ramps if you want better access.

They would have the "green" police shoot me, drop the car on my head and fine me, my wife, kid and dog. If I do it in the driveway, only my wife'll shoot me but she'll use rubber bullets :-)

ngarover · #6 04-30-2012, 03:34 PM

goto dollar store. buy the house brand oven cleaner for a buck a can, get 2, Spray engine with it, wait 5 min. spray engine off. Have a beer.

compress ignite · #7 04-30-2012, 05:46 PM

Mercedes Parts are O.E. and come in Mercedes packaging.

"We use OEM or factory approved parts for all repairs, and follow the instructions in Mercedes-Benz service manuals to ensure that your warranty won't be compromised."

Your Supplier/Wrench KNOWS the Difference and has stated that they DO NOT
USE Original Mercedes parts in their disclaimer.

Aftermarket Rubber parts usually have a VERY short life span !

Stevo · #8 04-30-2012, 06:18 PM

X2 on the car wash, you could even bring the ramps.

vstech · #9 04-30-2012, 06:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rmmagow

They would have the "green" police shoot me, drop the car on my head and fine me, my wife, kid and dog. If I do it in the driveway, only my wife'll shoot me but she'll use rubber bullets :-)

if you do it in your driveway, all the grease will end up in the water treatment center...
if you do it in the car wash, the water is filtered and recycled, and NONE goes to the city lakes and streams treatment center.

take it to the car wash.

mach4 · #10 04-30-2012, 07:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vstech

if you do it in your driveway, all the grease will end up in the water treatment center...
if you do it in the car wash, the water is filtered and recycled, and NONE goes to the city lakes and streams treatment center.

take it to the car wash.

Yea, probably not a good idea to allow the runoff to go into the storm sewer as at least part of the oil will not be emulsified and drop out on the edges of the water steam leaving a nice trail back to the source. But as far as cleaning the engine, a can of engine cleaner, any industrial de-greaser, and a power washer will do the job. Actually, one good strategy is to just use the power washer by itself to knock off all the caked on stuff, then let it dry and use a good de-greaser for a second pass to clean up what ever is left down to the paint/aluminum.

alanclrk · #11 04-30-2012, 08:18 PM

In the parts of California where I have lived, the storm drains all went to the ocean or bay so the car wash had treatment and was the better option.

alan
1985 turbo

rscurtis · #12 04-30-2012, 08:31 PM

Be careful with oven cleaner. It will etch the aluminum and remove any paint it accidentally touches.

gatorblue92 · #13 05-01-2012, 08:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vstech

if you do it in your driveway, all the grease will end up in the water treatment center...
if you do it in the car wash, the water is filtered and recycled, and NONE goes to the city lakes and streams treatment center.

take it to the car wash.

This.

Plus you will have a big mess on your driveway... don't ask me how I know

Bob338 · #14 05-01-2012, 11:41 AM

I had the same situation with mine. Simple Green didn't touch it. I turned to Gunk concentrate mixed with kerosene. Sprayed the mixture on the engine, all over the engine compartment, and underneath (after removal of the belly pans, which I did separately the same way,) then let it sit for a few minutes. Where the grease was real thick and accessible I brushed with a parts brush. I then put the power washer to it avoiding direct spray onto relays and alternator. For finishing it up a mixture of Tide and hot water got the last of the grease off and left no water spots. It ended up clean as new. Belly pans were easy following the same procedure as the motor compartment and tranny.