Elsewhere in threads re: smoke, is a discussion of the EGR and how to fix it when stuck open. Story goes like this: EGR is vacuum actuated and can stick in open position when you floor the accelerator to pull away from stop. Result: partially burned mixture is cycled back through intake and dumped into new charge in combustion chamber, creating an overly rich (i.e oxy-starved) mixture that does not fully burn-which then is recycled again through open EGR. This will make lots of smoke til the turbo spools up and solves the fuel-air ratio. Mr. MB (Enrique to fans) at his shop in Tarzana did the famous BB fix for me and it changed my 300 CDT quite elegantly, no smoke and lots of go. Oh, the BB fix: put a BB in the vacuum line to the EGR, preventing vacuum from opening it. Just make sure the BB is large enough to stay put and not suck upstream. If this makes you feel guilty, replace the EGR because the BB workaround will increase NOX. Don't know of any other serious side effects and in my case, my 300 burns soybean oil. Congrats on your beautiful 300CDT, aren't they splendid!

I have almost the exact same symptom. Not much smoke noticable during the day but awfull in the headlights of cars following behind me at night. Also seems to be a dark grey color. Not black. But not blue or white either. Funny thing is I did a diesel purge and a couple of Itallian tuneups and it had no effect. Also. Mine is a 4 speed manual 240D with no turbo, obviously and no egr. I recently changed my air filter as well. Perhps I shall change it again and see what happens. Also I guess a test to see if it is O2 starvation might be to remove the air filter completely and drive around the block at night observing what is visible in the headlights behind you. If the smoke vanishes you've at least narrowed down the problem. Actually I think I might try that soon myself.

- Peter.

__________________
2021 Chevrolet Spark
Formerly...
2000 GMC Sonoma
1981 240D 4spd stick. 347000 miles. Deceased Feb 14 2021
2002 Kia Rio. Worst crap on four wheels
1981 240D 4spd stick. 389000 miles.
1984 123 200
1979 116 280S
1972 Cadillac Sedan DeVille
1971 108 280S

Why are older diesels rainforest killers? Is this an indirect refernence to global warming due to Co2 emissions? Does smoke kill rainforests?

An old diesel running off of waste vegetable oil or biodiesel is largely carbon neutral. Can't do that with your gas machine, less you run it on biologically produced butanol, which isn't readily available - yet.

Its interesting that the EGR in these older vehicles can be the source of the excessive smoke problem.

[QUOTE=Sveinn;1367434]Why are older diesels rainforest killers? Is this an indirect refernence to global warming due to Co2 emissions? Does smoke kill rainforests?

It is misinformation and nonsense that diesels are rainforest killers. If those diesels owners believed this than those with intergrity would quit driving these rainforest killers!

"Testifying on May 13, 2003 before the US House of Representatives' Committee on Resources, Dr. John Christy, a professor of atmospheric Science and director of the Earth System Center at the University of Alabama, said, "CO2 is not a pollutant. In simple terms, CO2 is the lifeblood of the planet. The vegetation we see around us would disappear,"

Alan Caruba the author of "Warning Signs", published by Merril Press. His weekly column is posted on the Internet site of The National Anxiety Center (anxietycenter.com).

Copyright, Alan Caruba, 2003

__________________
'96 C220 138,000mi, '95 E300D 239,000 mi., '87 300TD 214,000mi '88 6.2 Turbo Diesel Chevy Conversion Van 253,000 mi.