Hi,

I am interested in getting oil that has dripped from my filler cap to the #1 and 2 injectors, drip from around the injection pump, and also the turbo oil drain tube clean, and then degease the underside, where all thoise drips and dust, etc stick.

I also own a BMW, and found that the 'official' instructions (http://www.sts.sae.org/servicetech/nov-2001/bmw.htm
) for it is to NOT use any sort of steam degreasing, but to instead warm the engine to full operating temp, apply a degreaser, then rinse with [warm] water.
I am curious about this for our 617 diesels.

I live in an apartment without any car washing facilities. The closest carwas is about 7 miles away. No matter how easy I drive, the car will be up to temp by then. I worry about even if I let it sit for 30 minutes, that things like the IP and manifold will be hot, and the sprays can crack such items.

At the same time, when driving in hard rains, I have to imagine roadwater gets splashed up on some of these things, while driving at full hot temperatures.

So is it OK to lightly spray water onto stuff like the valve cover, IP, block and oil pan if the engine isnt fully cold, or even if the engine is at full coolant temp? Apparently BMW thinks its OK, and gasser engine exhaust manifolds, etc. ought to be hotter than our diesels.

Any info would be appreciated.

Thanks,

JMH

__________________
Current Diesels:
1981 240D (73K)
1982 300CD (169k)
1985 190D (169k)
1991 350SD (116k)
1991 350SD (206k)
1991 300D (228k)
2008 ML320 CDI (199k)
1996 Dodge Ram CTD (442k)
1996 Dodge Ram CTD (267k)

Past Diesels:
1983 300D (228K), 1985 300D (233K), 1993 300D 2.5T (338k), 1993 300SD (291k)