I need ideas....within 3 days this car has gone from no smoke to so much that there's a dense cloud of blue under all conditions except coasting. Suspected the turbo (should any play at all be felt by hand on the shaft?) but unsure if I should look there or to internal engine issues. It seems to make noise (valve train clatter plus a deeper slower one) that wasn't there before and has developed an oil leak at #1 between head and block. I'll update with compression test results as soon as time allows me to do one. I don't mind doing a head gasket but with 200K on it and the noise I'm not to sure its worth it. Anyone have a relatively low mileage 602.962 they're willing to part with? I don't want to part the car (its not perfect but its not bad either).
Thanks!

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Hanno
'79 6.9 Sold (after 27 years)
'83 280SL, 5 spd.
'94 E320 Sdn. 5 spd conversion
'02 E320 Sdn.(on loan to mom!)
'87 300E (5 spd. conversion) Sold
'05 E500 Wagon

no need to condemn the engine...


replace the head gasket after some compression testing.

test the lifters once the VC is off

inspect the head once it is off.

if your engine has the oil pan view port, inspect for debris before any major work.


200k is a reasonable repair range for the head and its gasket.

you say "3 days" but its really the change of seasons and new high temperatures that may be the culprit.

With that much smoking just pulling the number one injector should give a solid indication. That cylinder will probably spit oil out when cranking. Although you already have an indication it with the indicated head leak in that general location.

If the noise is new in conjunction with the increased oil consumption it may have something to do with that. For the cost of a head gasket providing you do it yourself. The overall milage of two hundred k if you totally believe it and oil has been changed reasonably often. The engine should still be basically fairly sound.

Now if the drivers seat is all torn up etc the overall milage becomes suspect. Or the car has had a really hard life.

Well???

I don't work that fast. If I want to do it it's fun. If I have to do it, its work. I admire a good mechanic but I couldn't do it all day, every day. After the day job, priority is to get mom back her sometimes non-starting (but cranking) E320. New OVP and fuel pump relay coming tomorrow. Then the 300D gets attention with compression check and we'll see where that leads. Weekend is out, visiting friends (that comes first).

__________________
Hanno
'79 6.9 Sold (after 27 years)
'83 280SL, 5 spd.
'94 E320 Sdn. 5 spd conversion
'02 E320 Sdn.(on loan to mom!)
'87 300E (5 spd. conversion) Sold
'05 E500 Wagon

I'm in the same situation with my '93 300D. Lots of smoke, a miss in the engine along with a choo choo sound like compressed air leaking. Some suggested a pre-comb. chamber may be loose.

What ever happened to this car?

I'll bet a neighborhood cat it's the head gasket.

Sixto
87 300D

Air Horns (And/or coyote piss) are only suitable substitutes so far.

"Can't bet with 'Em,if youse can't control them."

Used to know an old Tennis Racket Stringer, back in the '70s,
who could put them to good use.(But he's been gone for 20 years or so)

__________________
'84 300SD sold
124.128

I bought the prechamber and glow plug reamer tools but haven't had time to go any further and have just parked it for now.

Had a similiar situation with the same model. If your oil level is overful by a lot your trans modulator is letting trans oil to get sucked in the motor. Excess oil will cause smoking and this will lead to a run-away motor if not corrected. Just sharing my experience with the same model, and it is an easy fix ( new modulator)

Update....Seems its the "common" headgasket failure at the front of #1 bore into the oil passage. Its (finally) ready for head install, maybe this week

to what address shall I ship the cat

__________________
Hanno
'79 6.9 Sold (after 27 years)
'83 280SL, 5 spd.
'94 E320 Sdn. 5 spd conversion
'02 E320 Sdn.(on loan to mom!)
'87 300E (5 spd. conversion) Sold
'05 E500 Wagon

Buttoned it up today, new headgasket is performing perfectly. Adjusted timing from 15@ to 14.5@ while access was easy. Changed the wastegate control to pressure actuated, shows max of 14 psi, runs great, and the rat's nest of vacuum controls is going to be history. Only down side is I need to adjust the trans as shifts are now softer due to the higher vacuum (no more multitude of small leaks in the former wastegate circuit). Life is good

__________________
Hanno
'79 6.9 Sold (after 27 years)
'83 280SL, 5 spd.
'94 E320 Sdn. 5 spd conversion
'02 E320 Sdn.(on loan to mom!)
'87 300E (5 spd. conversion) Sold
'05 E500 Wagon

AND now it's driving like it SHOULD.

__________________
'84 300SD sold
124.128