[Dr.Detroit]

The EPA and all the environmental nuts have made it so most commercially available engine de-greasers aren't nearly as effective as they used to be.

I've had some okay results with this stuff, but it takes multiple passes (usually 3):

It's 5 bucks @ Mal*Wart

What are you fellow diesel lovers using for tough degreasing jobs?
Any hints, tips or tricks to get that engine clean in a single pass?

 

[Dr.Detroit]

Forget the chemicals - I clean all my heavy equipment and big rigs with industrial diesel fired steam cleaners - It makes everything look brand new - even the most caustic chemicals can't come close - and most of the real heavy duty cleaners removes the paint off the engine - steam cleaners just melt all the nastiness away - (just make sure to set up a catch basin for the oil and grease)

This is suppose is the right answer.

I took the truck in question up to a friends shop with a hot steam wash bay. He's got a nice setup for washing down truck motors and chassis that come in for repairs. Sump system catches all the oil and muck and keeps it in one place, keeps it out of the rivers.
We simply hit it from all angles with the hot pressure wash, and it cleaned the motor perfectly. No chemicals needed.
I found the compression fitting that was leaking on the Deutz F6L914 oil-cooler, this was what had contributed to all the buildup of motor oil and dust. Since these motors are air cooled, their blower system will cause any oil leak to blow all over the damn place, and it makes layers of oil and dirt that get baked on. Found a few other small issues and addressed them as well.