1985 300dt, 318k. had been running fine but after driving in hot weather about 150 miles i noticed the idle had become very rough.

i cracked the #1 injector line and noticed the idle didnt change, so i suspected a bad injector. (all other cylinders were fine) i swapped #1 and #2 injectors and the problem stayed in #1.

then i suspected valves had possibly gone out of adjustment. checked valves and they are fine, not sure how to proceed.

idle stays rough no matter if engine is cold or hot. also there is white or light gray smoke at all times.

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1981 300SD, 270K, two tank wvo system
1985 300D, 288K, california version
1985 300DT wagon, 315k, broken odo

Compression test is needed.

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Grumpy Old Diesel Owners Club group

I no longer question authority, I annoy authority. More effect, less effort....

1967 230-6 auto parts car. rust bucket.
1980 300D now parts car 800k miles
1984 300D 500k miles
1987 250td 160k miles English import
2001 jeep turbo diesel 130k miles
1998 jeep tdi ~ followed me home. Needs a turbo.
1968 Ford F750 truck. 6-354 diesel conversion.
Other toys ~J.D.,Cat & GM ~ mainly earth moving

OK, it's been awhile, but as a public service:
Walk behind that car and take a good look at the badge on the trunk. See a "T" after that "300D".
That would be "NO"!!


Now, after looking at your sig, if you have a wagon then your T is not rogue, just in the wrong order. That would fall under somebody else's pervue.....

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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

When you backed off the nut on the number one injector was fuel dribbling out? If not sure if the quantity looks right compare it to number two injector with it's nut backed off.

Running WVO in this motor?

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1985 300TD Turbo Euro-wagon
1979 280CE 225,200 miles
1985 300D Turbo 264,000 miles
1976 240D 190,000 miles
1979 300TD 220,000

GONE but not forgotten
1976 300D 195,300 miles
1983 300D Turbo 175,000 miles

http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e3...e485-1-2-1.jpg

Running straight diesel. Fuel definitely was coming out of the line and qty. Seemed the same as all other injectors. There's a strong fuel smell in the exhaust so I can assume that plenty of fuel is being wasted.

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1981 300SD, 270K, two tank wvo system
1985 300D, 288K, california version
1985 300DT wagon, 315k, broken odo

Almost gotta be a compression issue unfortunatly then. Hopefully just a valve.

The other thing that could cause both low compression and the white smoke is a Head Gasket Issue.

Are you loosing some coolant, getting bubbles or Oil in your Coolant?

If the compression is low and you feel it may be due to sticking Piston Rings you could try to unstick them by putting Marvel Mystrey Oil in the Cylinder and letting it soak in a week or so. The advantage is it is cheap but takes time.
Other members have used other chemicals to do the same thing.
Marvel M oil results sticky rings
Origional thread also has + response
Compression Test...how low is low.....

I have also read that using Synthetic Oil will free them up but it takes several 100s miles.

If you think it is a Valve a Leak Back test would tell you more info.

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84 300D, 82 Volvo 244Gl Diesel

Cyl 1 compression was like 30 psi. Added mmo, brought the compression up to 80 psi. When I pulled the injector I noticed some oil on it, and the crush washer was oily as well. If I can't fix this car in the next couple of days I want to get rid of it. Anyone in the sf bay area want this car?

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1981 300SD, 270K, two tank wvo system
1985 300D, 288K, california version
1985 300DT wagon, 315k, broken odo

Well you could introduce some compressed air into the cylinder when the valves are closed at top dead centre. You should be able to determine where the majority of air is going.

You know the drill. Air cleaner intake port. Its an intake valve. Tailpipe its an exhaust valve. Oil fill hole the piston or head gasket.

Anyway you call it there is no instant fix. At the least the head will have to come off.

Thats not totally true. You could remove the valve cover to examine for anything strange up there in the valve train. Although that has not been a chronic area of problems on this type car.

theres no way that bad valve stems/seals would cause low compression, is there? im selling this car for $1500 regardless in a couple weeks. so if there are any takers let me know

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1981 300SD, 270K, two tank wvo system
1985 300D, 288K, california version
1985 300DT wagon, 315k, broken odo

Why not let the Marvel Mystrey Oil soak in longer while you are waiting for a buyer. Perhaps it will loosen the Rings up somemore.

On my Volvo Diesel I was getting hazy gray smoke.
I soaked the Cylinders in the MM Oil for one Week and rotated the Engine and soaked them for another 3 days. I wanted to go longer but had to use the Car.
And, it worked.

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84 300D, 82 Volvo 244Gl Diesel