The 190D I purchased is smoking a bit from the tailpipe - dark smoke - smells like diesel fumes... especially until the engine warms up, then on heavy acceleration.

The car set for two years in a garage. It has over 3/4 tank of fuel and wondering if this old fuel would cause excessive smoke? Its not major clouds of smoke, but more than seems normal.

Thanks.

jet black smoke? - NO

White water vapor types, yes.

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Thanks. Well, I may have went overboard when I said JET BLACK smoke. Its not jet black smoke, but its dark and smells like diesel fuel.

What else would cause smoking from a diesel thats not oil smoke?

Dirty air filter.

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1977 300d 70k--sold 08
1985 300TD 185k+
1984 307d 126k--sold 8/03
1985 409d 65k--sold 06
1984 300SD 315k--daughter's car
1979 300SD 122k--sold 2/11
1999 Fuso FG Expedition Camper
1993 GMC Sierra 6.5 TD 4x4
1982 Bluebird Wanderlodge CAT 3208--Sold 2/13

Thanks Kerry... I will check that posthaste. The car set for 2 years, so there could be something in there.

Strange that the Mercedes tech that serviced the car did not notice this. He charged the lady $300 to give the car the green-light to sell it.

She had him pick the car up, drive it 30 miles to his shop and make sure it was OK before selling. He drove it back and said the car was fine.

I was under the impression that he told her that after the car has been driven for awhile that it would clear up.

Sooty smoke is either overfueling or underairing. It it's not the air side, it's getting excessive fuel.

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1977 300d 70k--sold 08
1985 300TD 185k+
1984 307d 126k--sold 8/03
1985 409d 65k--sold 06
1984 300SD 315k--daughter's car
1979 300SD 122k--sold 2/11
1999 Fuso FG Expedition Camper
1993 GMC Sierra 6.5 TD 4x4
1982 Bluebird Wanderlodge CAT 3208--Sold 2/13

Thanks. Do you have any idea what would cause it to "overfuel" if it is that instead of the air filter?

Dump a container of Starbrite's Startron Enzyme Diesel Fuel treatment into that
aged tank of Diesel
ALONG with a bottle of Redline's Diesel fuel catalyst.

Drive it...On the second day you will be pleasantly surprised.

The Fuel and the Mercedes have both got the Stationary Funk,both of those products will help ease the automotive systems back into regular function.

Attached Thumbnails

   

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'84 300SD sold
124.128

Thanks Compress... do you think where its been setting and not driven for 24 months may be causing that?

I will look for and try that too. Should I run this fuel out, then refill with fresh fuel, then add those treatments?

More than likely, the only additive it needs is a heavier foot. Some call this an Italian tune-up. Once the car is good and warmed up, which shouldn't be a problem this time of year, put your foot into it. In other words, drive it like you stole it. She will probably settle down and start purring like a kitten.

(The alternative is a good hi-speed run but there you take your chances with enforcement.)

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Sam

84 300SD 350K+ miles ( Blue Belle )

I would suggest that poor injection spray patterns will also cause the smoke. If the fuel is spraying out like a hose rather than "poofing" out in a mist, it will cause poor performance and smoke.

If the aforementioned "Italian tuneup" and in-tank additives don't make it any better, you might try a Diesel Purge treatment. www.dieselgiant.com

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-Evan


Benz Fleet:
1968 UNIMOG 404.114
1998 E300
2008 E63


Non-Benz Fleet:
1992 Aerostar
1993 MR2
2000 F250

86560sel,

Not to tread on any one's toes here,BUT I wouldn't over stress an engine with
an "Italian Tune up" until I knew it was in the mechanical and maintenance
State of Tune to Safely "Blow It Out"

ALWAYS better to replace Old Unknown fuel with fresh Diesel...AND two years
is a LONG time with no Stabilizers (or Enzyme additives to keep the Algae at bay)
...BUT the Startron will break down any microbial infestation, allowing it
to pass through the filters without clogging them(or bothering the fuel system).
AND the Redline will help bring the Cetane and other Diesel components up.

I've got Diesel sitting in a container that I added Startron to 2 years ago...
total storage time ,However is 4 years...Won't that be interesting to look at
in 5 or 6 months?

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'84 300SD sold
124.128

How much have you driven it since it started sitting? Load that tank up with Power Service and run it at least 500 miles before doing anything.

These cars hate to sit, every spring when I yank my SDL out of the garage it smokes like a freight train for a bit.

Diesel fuel should last just about forever as long as it stays clean. Since this car has sat for so long you should change all the fluids and filters before putting any miles on it. I'd also do the belts, upper and lower radiator hoses, and give it a good detail.

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1999 SL500
1969 280SE
2023 Ram 1500
2007 Tiara 3200

Thanks for all of the tips and replies guys!

Well, personally, I have only driven it the 5 miles on the test drive and another 15 miles home after I bought it. The Mercedes mechanic however drove it about 25 miles to his shop (then inspected it and said it was fine), then another 25 miles back when the widows son drove it back home. So less than 200 miles.

Treating the car like it was a newborn, I babied it coming home and never took it over 3000 rpms. I have NO idea where these cars "redline" at. The tach does not have a redline zone on it. Does anyone know the redline? I really need to get out the books on this thing and read up for sure. On my drive home on the highway, I noticed at 60 mph, the RPMS were around 2900-3000 rpms, which seemed high, because 3K rpms are 1/2 way up on the tach, but then my Lexus LS400 runs at about 2600 rpms at 60 mph, so I guess thats normal on the MB.

About the fluids - I seen a sticker on the windshield that the oil was changed in 2006 and the mileage of change is 158100. The car has about 157700 now, so its time to change. I am just debating on whether I should change the oil myself or take it somewhere to get it changed, like the MB shop thats been doing it, but ever since I took my Lexus to the dealer the last time for an oil change, I suspect that they did NOT change the oil like requested and paid for, I am paranoid now.

The oil looks easy to change. I am assuming that canister up by the power steering pump is the oil filter canister? Who knows.

A new serpentine belt was installed recently she said and she said the mechanic said the hoses were good. I was concerned about the green coolant in the tank, but no one else I mentioned it to here on another thread acted like it was a concern.

As far as detailing, I am in the process. The inside was already pretty clean. The exterior was covered with faded paint and paint was dead. I have waxed about 75% of it. Going to finish as soon as I get a chance.... and post new photos then.

Here is the other thread with the other info and photos. I will slowly learn about this car and if I can learn to live with the 93 hp, (or whatever it has), I am sure it will last me many more miles. My uncle is already wanting to buy it. He has a 89' 300TE wagon, 88' 560SL and a 84 300D and wants to add this to his fleet.

1984 190D - good cars?

93!!! My 300D had 88 when new. Heavens knows how much it has now but it drives nice. Just plan not to pull out in close traffic

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1977 300D Lost coolant while someone else was driving
1983 300D Can't run without oil
1985 300SD (gone but not forgotten)
1990 300TE 4matic Sold
1991 Yamaha Venture
1975 Kawsaki 250 triple
1974 Honda 200CL
1951 8N Ford
2008 Wildfire 650C