Engine Smoke

[KCNick]

I recently purchased a 350SDL with records a mile long. I knew about the rod bending issues. It has 137K on it. I runs like a dream. I changed the oil when I brought it home. I am at 1000K with no oil consumption. It is however producing a little smoke at idle, and under heavy acceleration a lot of smoke. I read somewhere in the forums to warm the engine up to normal operating temps. Bring RPM up to 3500 for 5 seconds and let off. I did this and it produced black smoke when bring up the motor and stopped while I held it there and did not smoke when I let off. The older gentlemen I bought the car from drove it easy. Could it just need an "Italian tuneup", or could it be something else?

[Biodiesel300TD]

Sounds to me like normal smoking from carbon build-up. Try an Italian Tune-up. Punch it while getting on the freeway on ramp, and I bet you will get a huge cloud of black smoke. Do it a couple of times then report back.

[GRIESL]

Originally Posted by KCNick

I recently purchased a 350SDL with records a mile long. I knew about the rod bending issues. It has 137K on it. I runs like a dream. I changed the oil when I brought it home. I am at 1000K with no oil consumption. It is however producing a little smoke at idle, and under heavy acceleration a lot of smoke. I read somewhere in the forums to warm the engine up to normal operating temps. Bring RPM up to 3500 for 5 seconds and let off. I did this and it produced black smoke when bring up the motor and stopped while I held it there and did not smoke when I let off. The older gentlemen I bought the car from drove it easy. Could it just need an "Italian tuneup", or could it be something else?

Find the biggest hill around--steepest, longest--and put the hammer down. I'm fortunate to live in the mountains so Ital tuneups come easy. In fact, almost every day on the way home I get to see that puff of black (but only when not burning bio) when under heavy load shifting from second to third--love it!

If the tuneups don't help, I think you should start searching the forum for alda adjustment, egr, and switchover valve. I'm not familiar with the rodbenders, but a guy just recently had a 617 that was producing a lot of black smoke and it turned out to be a stuck egr. Good luck!

[KCNick]

Thanks for the info. I have been laying the hammer down today, we will see if it gets better. What about fuel additives. There is a big sticker when you open the fuel door saying no additives. I know the sticker is there, but can I really not put anything into this model engine?

[ezrider]

Great car, I'm the original owner of one with 186K miles on it, running fine. It likes Italian tune ups.

[KCNick]

Well after several "Italian Tuneups", I am still seeing the smoke (and smelling it when I come to a stop). Still no oil consumption or coolant consumption. Any idea's? Would adding an additive help?