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Cleaning the engine - More harm than good? 200

Am I hurting my 1993 240 wagon more than helping it by trying to clean the engine? Details below.

While replacing a sway bar end link, I was shocked to discover that my B230 engine is red, and further shocked that the engine was always so dirty that I never knew this. I also found fluid leaking near the transmission, thus decided to clean the engine and transmission in order to find the leak.

First, I'll appreciate any suggestions on how to clean a grimy engine. Below the intake and exhaust manifolds there's a thin layer of seemingly fresh oil with black gunk stuck to it. Do you have any advice on accessing the driver's side of the engine from the top, getting past the many hoses?

Second, I started cleaning the engine, but am I causing any harm? I carefully sprayed engine degreaser on the passenger's side of the engine. To avoid damaging anything, I chose not to remove the degreaser with a power washer (which I don't have), but to simply wipe it off with shop rags. Are the rags sufficient, or is the power wash needed to remove every trace of chemicals? My method is surely leaving degreaser residue on the block, wires, and exposed edges of gaskets. Is that ok?

Lastly, I wonder if an oil-coated engine is a good thing. Seems like oil would repel water, thus help prevent rust. My cleaning of the engine and undercarriage revealed areas where paint/finish/sealant was worn off, exposing rough metal which seems prone to rust. Maybe that oil and sludge was protecting these rough spots.

Cleaning the passenger's half of the engine by hand with rags took me six hours, and there's still black grit ground into the rough texture of the block. Still, it looks better and redder than before. With your input, I'll tackle the driver's half. Thanks for any input you have.
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- FireFox31






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New 2 Cleaning the engine - More harm than good? [200]
posted by  FireFox31  on Sun Jun 19 23:18 CST 2011 >


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