Lately I've noticed quite a bit of black soot coming out of my exhaust when I start the engine(84 300D turbo). This usually happens if the car has been sitting for a couple of days. The car doesn't smoke when driving, so I'm wondering if this is normal, or if there is something I can do to correct this problem? It does cause a little mess on the garage floor. I'm fairly new to diesels and don't have much, if any expierence with them, so any advice or help would be appreciated. Thanks!

That is classic valve stem seal leakage.
Cheap to replace..
but tedious... but it is up top so not as bad as some jobs...

how old is the car? could just be suit built up in the muffler.

My 82 has 204k and on startup also produces a sooty spot on the ground.
I had been told that it was unburned fuel resulting from a cold engine and once warm is gone.

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1981 240D 143k 4 spd manual -SOLD

2004 VW Jetta TDI 5 speed 300k -still driven daily

Yep. Cold old engines usually make a black spot.

Indeed, mine does!

When I start mine on a cold morning, (like I did this morning) it will start up with a small puff, but after I back out of my space and hit the throttle, it gives a small stream of black, then goes clear.

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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)

I'm sure you have more in your life to worry about than that. Just drive it......

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Jimmy L.
'05 Acura TL 6MT
2001 ML430 My Spare

Gone:
'95 E300 188K "Batmobile" Texas Unfriendly Black
'85 300TD 235K "The Wagon" Texas Friendly White
'80 240D 154K "China" Scar engine installed
'81 300TD 240K "Smash"
'80 240D 230K "The Squash"
'81 240D 293K"Scar" Rear ended harder than Elton John

Well that may be so, but my 12,000 mile Metric Motor engine shoots out soot and I`ll be danged if I`ll be changing out the valves seals anytime soon .

I agree with JIMMYL, bigger things to worry about and just drive it. all diesels produce soot, they just mark their territory. be glad you aren`t marking it with oil .

Put an old piece of cardboard down under the exhaust in the garage.

Charlie

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there were three HP ratings on the OM616...

1) Not much power
2) Even less power
3) Not nearly enough power!! 240D w/auto

Anyone that thinks a 240D is slow drives too fast.

80 240D Naturally Exasperated, 4-Spd 388k DD 150mph spedo 3:58 Diff

We are advised to NOT judge ALL Muslims by the actions of a few lunatics, but we are encouraged to judge ALL gun owners by the actions of a few lunatics. Funny how that works

I'd try running a couple of cans of Lubra Moly Diesel Purge. It stops my cars from smoking.

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Semibodacious Transmogrifications a Specialty

1990 300D 2.5 Turbo sedan 171K (Rudolf)
1985 300D Turbo TD Wagon 219K (Remuda)

"Time flies like and arrow, yet fruit flies like a banana"
---Marx (Groucho)

It wouldn't if you use good fuel. I suggest finding a better fuel station.

It wouldn't if you use good fuel. I suggest finding a better fuel station.

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In actual fact, since they changed the formula for Diesel, neither car smokes much. But I have noticed that over a period of a year or so, both cars tend to become sluggish, and if you rev up the engine rapidly, there will be black smoke, only occasionally useful for the edification of imbeciles who like to honk strenuously after you have already begun to pull away from a light. But I digress.

When the engine does get sluggish, I have found that a thirty minute 1½ can of Lubra Moly ends all smoking and perks up performance quite noticeably. As for the brands of fuel, I use Valeo, Mobil and occasionally Exxon brands. Texaco makes claims about "Premium Diesel", but I have not noticed even a small bit of performance, not before with the old high sulfur fuel or now, with the low sulfur fuel.

I bet your Diesel would also run better after a Diesel purge. Diesel Giant shows how to do this on his website.

I have run both cars on 99% Biodiesel and they run smoother and quieter, with a slight (5%less) decrease in mileage.

Just for curiosity, what do you consider a "good fuel"?

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Semibodacious Transmogrifications a Specialty

1990 300D 2.5 Turbo sedan 171K (Rudolf)
1985 300D Turbo TD Wagon 219K (Remuda)

"Time flies like and arrow, yet fruit flies like a banana"
---Marx (Groucho)

Is smoke a turbo thing? I've had my NA 240 for about a year now and not seen any smoke at all from it. I use corner store diesel and WVO, never used diesel purge and I haven't done engine work yet. Also, on this subject, I did look at another 240 that had smoke coming from the ENGINE COMPARTMENT. It ran alright, but I wasn't sure what was going on. Exhaust leak?

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1983 240D 3.0T 4-speed manual, now sold

1989 Subaru GL Wagon 5-speed Touring Edition

Tennessee is full of tailgaters.I once in awhile fill my glasspack with water.Then drive and wait for a tailgater.If its a white following me its fun when I mash the pedal.Blows out all the soot,with modified tailpipe no mess on my car.
Yes I suffer with deppression,and carry a gun.

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1999 w140, quit voting to old, and to old to fight, a god damned veteran

Nice.

__________________
-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)

Humm, a year also happens to be the adjustment interval for valve lash. Coincidence?