'85 300D-T Smoke on Accel?

Was driving my parent's 11/84 300D-T the other night and noticed a lot of exhaust smoke on hard accels. This car has had two trap oxidizers and the latest replacement catalyst (or whatever MBNA calls it) and I don't recall it smoking this much after those respective parts replacements.

This car doesn't get driven much on the highway, mostly in-town. Does this sound like something is amiss, or is this typical for a car driven mostly at slow speeds and stop and go traffic.

Any comments or sugguestions appreciated!

[SW]

I can't see anything abnormal from what you've written. If I were you, I would borrow that car more often and put the hammer down on a good stretch of highway. Have fun.

[diesel don]

Sounds like my 84 D-T. Some smoke upon hard acceleration. Also, the type of humidty and air outside really affect my ability to see the smoke. There is a large disparity of when and how much I can see.

Don

[DeltaDave]

I had a 85 300D with the latest trap oxidizer. I think by design the soot it forms by its oxidation in stop and go driving will build up until you run the engine at high speed when it is blown out.

[CJ]

Keep in mind that if this was at night, what you most likely see is the particulate matter being illuminated by the other cars lights.

Thanks all. I appreciate your input. SW, I think I'll take your advice and put the car through its rigors once and while, it's probably what the doctor ordered

[MarkM]

Smoke is generally normal on acceleration. I agree with previowu commenter...get it out on the highway and let it rip for a while. Other things you can do, or that may be related...

1. Injector spray pattern may be faulty....run a can of diesel purge to clean, or remove and have them checked at your local mercedes mechanic for release pressure and spray pattern. Or, if these are originals, you might put new ones in ($50 ea). Fault injector pattern will also cause rough idle, knocking, poor fuel economy, etc.

2. Injection timing may need adjustment.

3. How is the oil consumtion may be high...if more than one quart between oil changes, oil may be leaking past valve seals or turbo seals.

Good luck