PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum - 79 300d smoke, trouble starting, loss of power

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79 300d smoke, trouble starting, loss of power

I have a 79 300d with about 160k that has been having some new issues lately. I think it started when the car overheated on a long trip a few months ago. Since then it has progressively gotten smokier and lost some power. As the smoke has gotten worse the fuel economy has also gotten worse and it idles fairly rough. It is especially lacking in acceleration from about 0 to 10mph. The smoke is whitish grey in color and is especially bad when starting. I've read on here that this may be a coolant issue which would make since as it has also started going through coolant fairly quickly and I can't find any leaks that would explain the amount that is lost. Starting is also a problem - it used to start alright down to maybe 20 degrees, and it is currently about 34 and it won't start. Recently it has also been skipping some cylinders right after starting. After it warms up a bit they all fire. It has a good alternator, battery, and glow plugs(the pencil style). It is also overdue for a valve adjustment. Any advice/things I should check?
Thanks

After the valve adjustment, do a compression test. Check color of oil. Perhaps a new head gasket is in order.

Quote:

Originally Posted by toomany MBZ (Post 1698721)

After the valve adjustment, do a compression test. Check color of oil. Perhaps a new head gasket is in order.

Yes I agree with toomany .....A diesel compression tester and a mighty-vac should be in every MB owners tool box.
The compression tester I have came from Harbor freight. Only around 25$ and comes with all the adapters to fit the older Mercedes Diesels. No it's not the highest quality tool in the world.... but it works well. Compression IS everything with a Diesel !!

Check for milky colored oil first......:eek::eek:

Thanks for the suggestions... I adjusted the valves today(that sure was a painful process - having the nice bent wrenches probably makes it a lot easier though) and now It's running great. It has way less smoke, way more power, and runs quite a bit cooler. I didn't realize that just adjusting the valves could fix all that.

They must have been way tight. Did you check "chain stretch" while you had the valve cover off?