Best way to degrease engine, transmission? - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

merc lover · #1 08-22-2021, 01:59 PM

The engine in the 1984 300DT has some oil leaks which makes working on it more troublesome. I'm thinking I need to clean both the top and bottom of the engine and transmission to help identify where the oil leaks are coming from. I also have a kit that uses a dye and an ultraviolet light to help locate the leaks.

As to cleaning the engine and tranny, I've located two possibilities; one, a place that does professional pressure waashing for large heavy equipment and semi-tractor trucks. two, an auto detail business that uses a powerful steam cleaner.

Obviously steam uses far less water which might be safer for the engine and transmission. Your thoughts and ideas are appreciated.....

filp · #2 08-22-2021, 03:26 PM

In the past, I used a bottle with hand pump and hose filled with purple power (a garden sprayer essentially), then power washer on "idle" (without hitting the trigger), to have a delicate water rinse. You can dry it off with some shop towels.
Of course you need to agitate the purple power with some brushes, let it sit for a while, then repeat.

Zulfiqar · #3 08-22-2021, 04:29 PM

For super extra greasy stuff

Some old used atf mixed with some kerosene or straight atf can dissolve and loosen a lot of the grease that has built up, one needs to setup a junked kiddie pool under the car.

Then go ahead and use the industrial soap and powerwasher.

merc lover · #4 08-22-2021, 05:50 PM

so....the water from a power washer won't hurt the engine? Should the power washer be 2000 psi or LESS so as not to damage or intrude into the engine?

Diesel911 · #5 08-23-2021, 12:52 AM

I would have been better off with a higher quality spray cans of engine greaser but I used several cans of that and had bought harbor freight pressure washer. It worked but I needed to do it several times. (Removed the Cylinder Head and Transmission job still not over with.)

Note that is the only experience I have had with a pressure washer. Likely the Harbor Freight one is not the best.

Something that can handle hot water will work better.

Where I worked they had an ancient hot water/steam pressure washer and it worked but you still had to redo with it to get stuff cleaned and there was still an oily film (this had no facility for any detergent or chemical to be sprayed).

Previously I just used as spray cans of greaser as many times as was needed and a Garden Hose with a restricted nozzle.

For maintenance (engine cold) a pump spray bottle with Purple Power let to soak in for a few hours and the mentioned garden hose and nozzle kept it from building up until I stopped doing that.

Diesel911 · #6 08-23-2021, 12:59 AM

No matter what method of cleaning us used if the mess is on the underside something to raise the vehicle up gets what ever chemicals you are using to where you need it better as well as the ability to wash it off.

Also lying on the ground while spraying with a pressure washer can have you laying in the Water. I laid on top of Harbor Freight foam anti-fatigue mats. Kept me 3/8 ths of an inch off of the ground. Still got a little wet.

Diesel911 · #7 08-23-2021, 01:00 AM

No matter what method of cleaning us used if the mess is on the underside something to raise the vehicle up gets what ever chemicals you are using to where you need it better as well as the ability to wash it off.

Also lying on the ground while spraying with a pressure washer can have you laying in the dirty Water. I laid on top of Harbor Freight foam anti-fatigue mats. Kept me 3/8 ths of an inch off of the ground. Still got a little wet.

The foam mats are nice to lay on while working on your vehicle. I never liked creepers.

ykobayashi · #8 08-23-2021, 10:03 PM

I cleaned up both of my cars with the cheapo power washer from Harbor Freight. Portland. This has been a really great too for finding leaks. Also it’s good for cleanup if I spill a lot of oil on the car during a repair. Also it’s good to clean up the engine before I work on it.

I struggled with leak finding till I got this tool. It really doesn’t need too much soap because the pressure just blows the soft guck off the engine. Dawn in the bubble gun attachment helps get things squeaky clean.

I settled on Dawn. I wanted to try that awesome purple Makers Mark degreaser that Rollguy uses. His cars are amazingly clean. I never got around to acquiring it and I ended up using Dawn dish detergent. I don’t live near Sams club.

Cold water. Got all the crud and tar off the engine and trans. Once it was clean enough I found all the leaks and replaced the usual gaskets…like six of them on each car. Miraculously the leaks stopped. I have some very slow weeping now but never enough to leave drips on my white driveway.

Neighbors gave me dirty looks as I power washed my engine. Greenies. I figure the same stuff is coming off everyone else’s car in the street and flowing down the storm drain. I’m just getting it in one shot.

Theseus · #9 08-24-2021, 11:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ykobayashi

I settled on Dawn. I wanted to try that awesome purple Makers Mark degreaser that Rollguy uses. His cars are amazingly clean. I never got around to acquiring it and I ended up using Dawn dish detergent. I don’t live near Sams club.

I would be too tempted to drink a Makers Mark degreaser....

vwnate1 · #10 08-24-2021, 12:18 PM

The old standby Gunk Engine Brite #EB1 is good stuff if horribly toxic .

It will also kill off any grass / plant life so mind the run off .

When first you begin it's great to soften up the deep & thick gooey sludge up underneath the manifolds and block, once you've cleaned it well I find the purple stuff works just as well and is far cheaper .

Oven cleaners do work well but some have chemicals that will attack your alloy parts and plastic plus give you skin burns .

Rogviler · #11 08-24-2021, 04:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vwnate1

When first you begin it's great to soften up the deep & thick gooey sludge up underneath the manifolds and block, once you've cleaned it well I find the purple stuff works just as well and is far cheaper .

Oven cleaners do work well but some have chemicals that will attack your alloy parts and plastic plus give you skin burns .

FYI, oven cleaner and Purple Power are both sodium hydroxide. Both cause skin irritation and both will corrode metal if left on too long. Neither are really safe to use on rubber parts but I've never had an issue with plastic.

gregp1962 · #12 08-24-2021, 02:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ykobayashi

Once it was clean enough I found all the leaks and replaced the usual gaskets…like six of them on each car. Miraculously the leaks stopped.

Can you list the six "usual" gaskets?

vwnate1 · #13 08-24-2021, 04:55 PM

Thanx Rog! .

ykobayashi · #14 09-14-2021, 01:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gregp1962

Can you list the six "usual" gaskets?

Sorry Greg I missed this ?.

Let’s see I changed 1) valve cover & filed the stops, 2) front main seal, 3) turbo drain grommet and orings, 4) oil separator drain tube o-ring on air cleaner side, 5) turbo intake u tube seals, 6) vacuum pump gasket, 7) crankcase vent elbows, 8) seal in the oil cap (just cut one out of thick gasket material). I guess it’s more than six but those are typical leaks on these cars.

My oil filter leaked but I have never changed one of those on my cars. I just tighten the bolts and the leaking stops. My injection pump gasket weeps a bit so I rubbed some black silicone on it and it stopped. I also went under and tightened the umpteen screws on my oil pan. I bought a gasket but it’s still on the shelf because the pan gasket leak stopped. The last leak was the copper crush washer on my oil drain. I stopped using the copper and went to the metal ones with the bonded rubber seal inside - Dowty washer. And I rebuilt my oil cooler hoses with goodyear galaxy barrier hose.

After this I got the clean engine. So dry the scratches on the oil pan rust. The process took a couple of months. I just power washed and changed a seal. Then the leak would move and I’d change another seal and wash again. Rinse repeat till no more leaks.

ROLLGUY · #15 08-24-2021, 10:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ykobayashi

I settled on Dawn. I wanted to try that awesome purple Makers Mark degreaser that Rollguy uses. His cars are amazingly clean. I never got around to acquiring it and I ended up using Dawn dish detergent. I don’t live near Sams club.

I found that ZEP Industrial Purple Degreaser from Home Depot is the exact same stuff. I have always used the coin-op car wash pressure washer, and never had a problem getting water where it was not supposed to be. Obviously don't spray it directly on electrical components or air intake, but everything else is not effected by the high pressure.