engine "flaky stuff"
 

Are there any suggestions as to how to get that whitish flaky stuff off parts of the engine?

Not sure what that is?:confused: :confused: :confused:

Well since your cars are virtually new, with the exception of your 124 which still isn't THAT old and it's low mileage, you might not see that on your cars. Especially on the newer ones with all the plastic shrouds and covers. On my car, and I have seen it on others, some sort of scaling or flaky stuff forms on parts of the motor, most notably unpainted or silver parts. It's really apparent on the accessories and some brackets.

My valve cover on the W124 does have "flaky" stuff, and I assumed it to be a sorry attempt at a repaint by the PO.

Perhaps all of that is some sort of factory lacquer coating that erodes over time.

When the head gasket replacement time comes, I plan on having the valve cover polished anyway.

I suppose a stiff wire brush would remove the remainder of the flaky stuff...

flaky stuff
 

That "flaky stuff" may be oxidized aluminum, which can be polished out (mucho work) but then you need to re-protect it. The factory puts clear coat on the aluminum, and I guess it flakes off over time. Try Autosol or Flitz with a soft cloth.

Thanks guys for the tips!

white flaky stuff
 

Yes, I have used autosol and this stuff works. Done it on the top of the engine block and this stuff is making it a bit shiny. If I went further with a wire brush or fine sand paper, this engine head will be a shiny as any chrome surface unless you want to take it off and chrome it to perfection. Some engine heads have this brownish deposit which looks like spilt varnish or laquer and its usually badly applied if done purposely. If they had used a high temp satin or gloss paint, it would have looked supurb.