My car is pretty smoky when it starts and I can also see smoke after I have been stopped at a traffic light when the car is warmed up. I took it to a mechanic and he listened to the motor running and thinks I have a cracked cylinder. he said he heard two distinct knocking noises in the engine. The car rocks side to side as well, more after I just turn it on.

Is my only solution a new or used replacement motor? If so about how much should it cost. He said he would install one for $900 labor.

I just spent 2K for a conversion kit so that it runs on WVO and I really like the car. Is it worth fixing?

You will come out money ahead if you can find a good used engine. If you get into engine and need pistons you are looking at some big buck$. You should be able to find a good, used engine for under $1k.

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Jim

So the new engine does not contain new pistons, correct? Is there anyway I can check if it is the pistons or the cylinder that are the problem.

If it is either the pistons or cylinders in your present engine it is expensive to repair either way. Used engine is about the only practical way. They come with pistons and cylinders. Do you know and trust this mechanic? Is he highly skilled or at least has some experience on these older mercedes diesels? Many things can cause smoking and I personally find these engines quite noisy even when in good shape.

I would have a local forum member listen to it that has some mechanical experience if one is available or a mercedes dedicated shop. With lots of diesel experience. Your first mechanic may be totally right but what if he is wrong?

Cracked cylinders on this engine type have to be rare and I can think of no way to diagnose such a condition by listening. Therre is nothing wrong in being cautious when dealing with car service places.

x2

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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

X3


Keep driving it until the engine fails then you will know. Nothing to loose if you have to replace it anyway.

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Charles
1983 300D, bought new, 215k+ miles, donated to Purple Hearts veterans charity but I have parts for sale: http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/mercedes-benz-cars-sale/296386-fs-1-owner-83-mb-300d-turbo-rebuild-parts.html

$900 labor to swap the engine? Does he take a full 8 hours to do it or is he charging $200/hr?

Anyone in the SF Bay area want to listen/take a look at my car?

I really do not feel comfortable driving it with the exhaust issues and want to do the right thing to fix the issue.

The mechanic came recommended by the guys who converted my car to run on WVO. I have never had him work on my car.


Jen

It took my dad and I about 110 hours to swap the engine in his project SD.....so 8 hours sounds amazing to me!!

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-diesel is not just a fuel, its a way of life-
'15 GLK250 Bluetec 118k - mine - (OC-123,800)
'17 Metris(VITO!) - 37k - wifes (OC-41k)
'09 Sprinter 3500 Winnebago View - 62k (OC - 67k)
'13 ML350 Bluetec - 95k - dad's (OC-98k)
'01 SL500 - 103k(km) - dad's (OC-110,000km)
'16 E400 4matic Sedan - 148k - Brothers (OC-155k)