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  #1  
Old 12-14-2005, 03:17 AM
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What can cause extreme smoking?

Hello. I am new to mercedes and diesels, but am looking at getting a 70s or 80s MB diesel. I have found a early 70s 220D that is quite inexpensive, but the owner reports that it smokes enough to make him reluctant to drive it. I know my way around gas engines, and know that this is a bad sign for a gasser, but what can it mean for a diesel? Should I look into it more or is it not worth while? Thanks for you advice.

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  #2  
Old 12-14-2005, 05:20 AM
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How long has it sat?

Both of my diesels sat for around two years... smoked like an old smoke stack until I drove them about.
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Old 12-14-2005, 06:53 AM
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Lots of things can cause diesels to smoke. Way to many to list here. I recommend doing a good diesel purge and changing the filters, then drive the car pretty hard for a while. I am inclined to say that you may have a fair amount of smoke reduction. Fresh fuel is also a good helper.

Report back after you have put some miles on the car.
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  #4  
Old 12-14-2005, 10:00 AM
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220 D

Yes.... i agree ....it very well may have cloged injectors from sitting.
Run it out of fuel ....
Fill up with a fresh batch....
then change the filters an do a purge..
It worked wonders on my 350sd
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Old 12-14-2005, 10:55 AM
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Lots of things, you need more info. Just sitting for awhile will cause a diesel to smoke a lot.
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Old 12-14-2005, 10:57 AM
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Diesel smoking can also be caused by injector pump timing, its just like ignition timing in a gasser.
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  #7  
Old 12-14-2005, 11:12 AM
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If you are interested but undecided how about a compression and leakdown test prior to purchase. If engine has pretty good compression take a chance. But if compression is down in the mud it is another matter. Smoking also could be caused by a badly restricted air cleaner or many other things. Sometimes expensive to stop and sometimes very minor. Have not heard of diesel fuel going bad other than fungus growth but have heard and know of bad fuel being sold from time to time. If it starts right up in pretty cool temperatures it's a good sign as well. One check you can make is there is a vent line from the vaccum pump to the manifold that may terminate at the air cleaner. Leakage of the diaphram in the vaccum pump will put base oil up that line into the intake. Check it for oil. Others will have ideals wait and see prior to making a decision.
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Old 12-14-2005, 11:50 AM
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Thanks for all of the responses. I will see if I can extract some more information from the owner. How does one go about checking the compression on a diesel, and how high should it be? (Sorry, by diesel newbie-ness is showing again.)
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  #9  
Old 12-14-2005, 12:05 PM
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What color is the smoke? Black smoke might be worth trying to correct. Blue smoke is something you should run and not walk away from.
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  #10  
Old 12-14-2005, 12:35 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ConnClark
What color is the smoke? Black smoke might be worth trying to correct. Blue smoke is something you should run and not walk away from.
Blue smoke could be the vacuum pump diaphragm. Pretty simple fix. Testing the vacuum might be a good indicator of whether the pump has failed.
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  #11  
Old 12-14-2005, 06:53 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by bgkast
I have found a early 70s 220D that is quite inexpensive, but the owner reports that it smokes enough to make him reluctant to drive it.
You must be from oregon, I saw this car on craigslist not to long ago....

Is this the car?

Doesn't look to bad from the outside at least. The price makes it worth maybe just taking a chance on it and rolling it again if you don't like it.
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  #12  
Old 12-14-2005, 07:16 PM
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you will need

a diesel compression guage. and an adaptor for mb. tested cold the min is around 220 normal cold is from 300 to 330 or so at sea level. less as you go up in altitude. tested warm the values are higher. you hope for compression that is close to equal, withing 10% is considered good. below 220 you will have starting problems especially in cold weather. once started diesles tend to run fine even with a lot of wear... just dont shut it off.

my first diesel was a 220, 1972. sweet little car.

good luck

tom w
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  #13  
Old 12-15-2005, 12:49 AM
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Yep, that was the one. I got in touch with the owner and it had sold. Oh well.

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