Like a Mythbusters episode, sounds "plausible" that oil could get in the IP, expecially the explanation of oil pressure being greater at idle. I have decent compression, new head and new timing chain, so my next steps are new injector nozzles and IP timing check.

I'd love to know of any others experiencing the gentle wisp of idle smoke and take off puff of smoke.

__________________

1998 E300D, 287k, barely broken in.