Engine Smoke
 

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?

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.

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!

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?

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

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?