Are you refering to the EGR valve itself? Is so, I wouldn't soak that as there is a rubber diaphram as one of it's inside parts and I just don't think soaking in gas would help that, irregardless of what you do with it later. If you're talking about the aluminum intake section that the EGR valve itself mounts to that can be soaked, there is a short section of aluminum plenum/pipe before and after that piece which are held together with large green rubbery O-rings, if you're going to soak things you might want to pull them apart and soak the aluminum parts seperately from the rubber parts. The rubber parts might hold up or might not, if you plan on getting things together sooner rather than later without buying or waiting for replacement bits, just wipe the rubber parts clean with a gas and a rag might be the prudent course of action.

Since I'm in the machine shop business to a certain degree (they are my vendors), I've had the discussion that you suggest on many occasions. The referral is always to the parts cleaning tank with the standard solvent based cleaner and pump. Nothing that provides the agitation or the pressure that would generate an excellent result.

I'm sure that such methods exist, however most of the typical machine shops don't have such equipment.

Got the head back today, shop said that she is good to go. Tomorrow I will put it all back together.

I jealous as my "head gasket day" is going to be measured in calender quarters

__________________
Hanno
'79 6.9 Sold (after 27 years)
'83 280SL, 5 spd.
'94 E320 Sdn. 5 spd conversion
'02 E320 Sdn.(on loan to mom!)
'87 300E (5 spd. conversion) Sold
'05 E500 Wagon

Question, I had the head pressure tested and vacuum tested and everything was good. They cleaned it up some too but did not rebuild. I can see in the intake ports and the valve shafts are dirty, is there a way that I can clean them? Without taking head apart? Scrape them off with a screwdriver?

Same way you cleaned your intake manifold!

I sprayed some motor degreaser on the intake manifold, that wont hurt the seals inside the head? Spray in the intake and exhaust ports with the motor degreaser let it soak and then spray it off with water?

Best to replace the valve seals while the head is off, cheap.

__________________

Gone to the dark side

- Jeff

Yes you are right but dont have time and money, so is it ok to clean the valves with the motor degreaser and spray it down with water?

I would not use water nor any caustic.

__________________

Gone to the dark side

- Jeff

Head is back in, new chain is in and cremped. I should get it done tomorrow, I started at 10:00 am and just got in at 6:00 pm and I am tired. I got gps back in and the intake almost back in also. I forgot to put the exhaust manifold gasket back in! The manifold does not move hardley at all, how am I going to get the gasket in there? WOW!

The most effective way is to drop the hanger on the trans and disconnect the manifold from the down pipe.

Put the manifold on the head and torque down

Then re-connect the down pipe

Then the trans hanger


Pain in the assterisk, but allows the most freedom and and accuracy

The manifold hooks to the turbo, then I will have to get a new gasket there. But that is what I think I will do, thanks. I am also worried about the oil return line from the turbo, if I move it around to much I will have to replace that too. One more thing, the studs that hold the manifold on to the head, most of the studs came out. All but three, what about taking those three studs out? If I can, then I might be able to get the gasket behind there?

There might be just enough thread available to allow 2 nuts (regular steel if available, not the soft ones already on there) on the stud, tighten them together, try to screw out the stud.

__________________
Hanno
'79 6.9 Sold (after 27 years)
'83 280SL, 5 spd.
'94 E320 Sdn. 5 spd conversion
'02 E320 Sdn.(on loan to mom!)
'87 300E (5 spd. conversion) Sold
'05 E500 Wagon

I will try that first, thankyou