I recently bought this 82, 230,000+ miles, and need some technical help. It idles rough, almost like a gas engine when it is missing, and won't continue to idle on it's own until it is warm. It blows grey white smoke on initial start up and then blue smoke after it warms up.

I took it to a "master" MB mechanic and, because the car is a little rough, he didn't do what I told him to do, which was find out what the problem was. He said the turbo was shot, and ,on his own, decided to stop looking at that point, to save me money.

I, not being a "master" MB mechanic, took off the air cleaner assembly, and looked at the turbo through the air inlet. It seems to spin freely and without scraping the sides of the housing. It doesn't seem to be loose in any way and has no longintudinal movement.

Could the turbo seals be shot, accounting for the blue smoke? Could oil be getting past the seals and into the intake?

Second issue. What little I've driven the car(which is very little), it will shift late. It will not shift out of first until high RPM and after being there for a few seconds. It also has very little power; the engine RPM's drop after it does shift into the lower gears and requires harder accelleration and a down-shift to bring the revs up and regain some power.

Other than that, it's an OK car. I'm in Berryville, VA if someone is near and would like a closer look.

Thanks.

Joel Wilkins

you've got a few issues, the roughness at idle, does it go away after it's been running for a few minutes?
The turbo problems could be simple alda pressure line "banjo" nut clean out procedure. the blue smoke could be from turbo seals, but it could also be from a gunked up Oil catch can in the bottom of your air filter.
the tranny shifting could be from you holding the go pedal to the floor too far, or it could be cable adjustment is needed. also the vacuume lines going to the transmission may be disconnected or leaking.
John

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John HAUL AWAY, OR CRUSHED CARS!!! HELP ME keep the cars out of the crusher! A/C Thread
"as I ride with my a/c on... I have fond memories of sweaty oily saturdays and spewing R12 into the air. THANKS for all you do!

My drivers:
1987 190D 2.5Turbo
1987 560SL convertible
1987 190D 2.5-5SPEED!!!

1987 300TD
2005 Dodge Sprinter 2500 158"WB
1994GMC 2500 6.5Turbo truck... I had to put the ladder somewhere!

If you bring it to the VA meet, we'll look at it for ya for free! There will be several mechanics there, some even certified.

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79 MB 280 SEL Euro 133k
77 MB 450SL 154k
05 Mustang GT Vert (3) 104k
12 TSX Wagon Tech (66k) (192k)
06 Subaru Outback base (135k) 164k
16 Acura MDX (109k) 111k
18 Silverado 2500 LTZ Midnight (212) 56k
97 Ford Ranger 163k
11 RAV4 154k
01 Escape 173k
04 Honda Pilot 292k
1967 Mustang (Resto Project)
1968 Mustang (Parts Bin)
00 Ford Ranger 124k

1984 300d Turbo 142,000
Replace Valve Stem Seals, Diy, Clean The Rear Intake Turbo Pressure
Hose And Check For Leak In The Alda, Ip Do A Search For Alda.

White Smoke is a "normal" condition on any cold diesel engine.....sounds like you may have a couple of different things interacting here....check your glow plugs, you probably have a couple of bad ones....that should account for the white smoke when cold......and the rough idle (missing like a gasser)....

Blue Smoke is generally oil burning.....it has to get into the combustion chamber in some manner......valve stem seals, piston rings (oil scraper), turbo seals......it could be any of these.....a compression test will tell you about the rings.....

SB

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Diesels:
'85 300D, "Max, Blue Benz", 155K, 27.0 MPG
'84 190D 2.2, "Eva, Brown Benz", 142K, 40.2 MPG
'77 240D (parts car)
'67 Eicher ES 202 Tractor "Otto" (2cyl, Air Cooled, 30HP)
Gassers:
'94 Ford F-150, "Henry", 170K (300 Six) 17.5 MPG
'85 190E 2.3, 148K....Parts Car
'58 Dodge W300M Powerwagon (Flat Fenders) Less than 10 MPG

Why don't you bring it to the diesel meet on Saturday in Herndon. There will be pleanty of diesel-heads there to take a look.

-Tad

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1995 G320
2003 C230 Kompressor Coupe
2005 ML500
2007 ML350

Yes, the rough idle does smooth out somewhat as the engine warms up. What is a "alda pressure line "banjo" nut clean out procedure"? When you say a gunked up oil catch can in the bottom of your air filter, are you referring to the bottom of the air filter assembly or spmething else? I had the air filter round box off the car when I was looking at the turbo running and tghere was no change in the way the engine was running.

I thought I might buy a turbo rebuild kit and start from there but I wanted some input from the forum first.

I wish I could bring it to the meet but it's not driveable and I'll be working anyway, but thanks for the offer.

Don't go get a rebuild kit unless you're sure you need it. Have you checked your boost level?

the mechanic I took it to said he checked and there was little or no boost.

The reason why there is little or no boost is the fact that the lines from the manifold are clogged with soot. The lines, and the banjo bolt need to be thorougly cleaned or replaced.......or the vehicle can't see the boost.

Usually, the turbo is just fine........it will produce the boost, if you measure it properly........but........you can't due to the clogged lines.

Sounds like you need to get a different mechanic...........or..........do it yourself.

what lines are you referring to? banjo bolt? are you saying remove the turbo and clean out the intake manifold?

Well, the intake manifold is probably filled with oil saturated soot, but, it won't impact your performance.

The problem is the banjo bolt on the back side of the manifold.

Check this out:

http://www.dieselgiant.com/mercedesaldaboostsystemservi.htm

Russell provides complete instructions on how to fix this problem.

thanks. that article was great! I'll look at it first thing tommorrow.