thanks all,
i've been too busy and it's been too cold to take it in yet,

i'm not sure if it's the cold, or something else, but the smoking and kicking has reduced gradually over the last few weeks. usually there's still some smoking and kicking when cold, but once warm it's much less severe than before, less severe than before the new idle adjuster bolt was put in, and less severe than right after it was put in.

also it's interesting that people have had good experience with lubro moly or liqui moly motor oil saver. on other forum threads they say it has resolved their oil leaking and exhaust smoking. it's probably just hopefully thinking but seems worth a try since i'm not in a rush to get the valve job done.

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w123
1985 300D turbo sept 2015 - present
1985 300TD turbo oct 2023 - present
looking for biodiesel in nyc