today i bought a nonrunning 240D for scrap, but before i part it out, i want to see how much is wrong with it. it's leaking oil, but the drain pan looks OK and i don't see any rods thrown through the block like with my last nonrunning 240D. the lower part of the engine is coated in oil. where or how should i look in order to identify the source of the leak?

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'77 240D, 504H, OM617.952, etc.

Good possibility its the oil filter housing gasket....

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Chain tensioner?

Sixto
87 300D

Is an oil leak the first thing to look for on a non running engine?

It took 3 Cans of Engine Degreaser on the Engine and Transmission to clean it off enough to locate where the Oil leak was coming from.

Once the Engine is clean it is not so hard to find the leaks.

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84 300D, 82 Volvo 244Gl Diesel

I was thinking of degreasing my engine and engine compartment.....what do you think is a good de grease? My problem is I have wvo residue and the factory wax coating also to deal with....tried the carwash thing....but that had no effect

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thanks guys, i'll check those spots. ichris, it was leaking on the tow over here. what would you suggest looking at?

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'77 240D, 504H, OM617.952, etc.

OF housing and the entire head are clean. all the oil is on the lower block. after charging the battery it turned over, but no ignition. there are diesel leaks from the return lines, two injectors, and the primer pump. could it just be getting starved of fuel? obviously, more poking around is called for.

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'77 240D, 504H, OM617.952, etc.

The fellow in Bellingham says he uses a dishwashing soap and hot water soak to loosen harden WVO. That easy on parts you can soak in a tub.

Sixto
87 300D

Easy Off oven cleaner kicks butt. You're looking for the old formula - the kind that says "use in well ventilated area". It's nasty but it works.

Dan

I use what ever is cheap. At that time there was a Dollar+ Store that sold Engine Degreaser for $1.50 a can. However, I don't like the smell but it was cheap.

The Foaming type that smells like Oranges is preffered but it cost about double at that time.

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84 300D, 82 Volvo 244Gl Diesel

Hmm I think I will venture out and try oven cleaner....I was thinking about that earlier....I just went to the auto parts store, they had two cans of bug n tar remover for 50¢ a can....so I started with that it worked pretty good....I can actually see the factory cosmoline coating....but some of the stuff is baked on bad....scudding sorta worked but was very labor intensive...

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I used spray on Oven Cleaner on My Van Differential and I don't think it worked as well as the Engine Degreaser would have.

I was not able to warm the Differential up so that may have been a factor. The Oven Cleaner is likely made to work at a much Higher Temp then the Engine Degreaser.

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84 300D, 82 Volvo 244Gl Diesel

I tried some GUNK engine degreaser & couldn't stand the smell. It was supposed to have an orange smell but it was just nasty. I've also tried some Orange Clean that you mix with water; it smells nice & Cleans MB Tex & plastic interior parts well, but I'm not too impressed with its grease-cutting capability. I've also thought of using B99 biodiesel...

I have oil leaks to trace down as well....everything was tight for a while, but leaks are back & hard to find as they run down a cross member or something & it's hard to find the exact source.

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1976 240D "Katja"

In my experience, Aluminum parts do not like oven cleaner. The get a chalky look, kind of like it's been through a winter with salted roads.

Good old fashion gunk works the best, and maybe Purple Power... But that too stains aluminum if left too long.

.

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1983 123.133 California
- GreaseCar Veg System