I finally got my 220D running after spending over $500 and many hours of work. I had to put a new head on the engine because the engine was overheated and the old one cracked. The starter doesn’t turn the engine over fast enough so I had to pull start the car. After it started and warmed up I was surprised how well the engine runs. I was even more surprised by how bad the engine smokes. My question is what is the main cause of the heavy smoke? The smoke is white with a very light tent of blue. The smoke has a very heavy diesel smell to it, not like oil burning in a gas motor. Could the injection pump be over fueling the engine or might the butterfly linkage be out of adjustment at the throttle body? I always thought too much fuel = black smoke. Cylinders 2 and 3 have some heavy scoring on the front and back walls. Also when it is running, there is a crazy amount of blow-by. Is the engine in need of a major re-build or is it being over-fueled? Do diesels have the burning oil smell like a gas motor?
Thanks

White smoke is either coolant or unburnt fuel.

Check the injection pump timing and do a compression test.

That sounds like a worn out motor. A compression test should be revealing one way or the other.

I find my 220D smokes more when the fuel filters need replacing.
And make sure there is no water in the fuel.
If I do not run her hard she smokes a bunch.
If she sites and idles for too long and at night you will see a bunch of smoke.
Drive her hard, and maybe have the injectors pop tested.
Are you using good diesel oil?
There is a lot of blow-by on my 220D also.
The dam thing runs so good with the blo-by and smoking so I am leaving everything alone on my car.
I might get the injectors pop tested.

Good luck with your car these are great cars 220D.

__________________
1976 240D
1976 240D parts car
1970 220D daily driver

I had a '76 240D which I sold to Peter Hedary who is now in Titusville. He immediately identified the smoking problem as a little-known and little-remembered diaphram which was not used in later models. He eliminated the problem. Call him . . . he is listed in other posts. He will lead you directly to the problem. And please, replace the coolant with the clear stuff, your engine will run cooler with the right coolant it was designed for. A lesson learned when Peter worked on my 300D and replaced the coolant. Instantly lowered the operating temp.

Good Luck with your purchase.

LadyTrucker