Oh NO! Is she dead? - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

Merkey · #1 06-21-2020, 06:42 PM

Took my dear 190d for a run today to Home Depot.... first time in a month, and something bad happened...
Not been using her much the last year since I got my Jetta TDI, but wanted to keep here around longer.

1984 190D non turbo with approx 230,000 miles. Oil was maybe 2k old, and last time I looked it was bang on the mark.

Here is what just happened...
Started her up, she fired after about 1 sec, as normal.
Sat and let her idle until oil pressure came up to 3 bar, then set off at a gentle pace... well, all that 70hp could muster!
Was about 3 miles from home and slowing with foot off, for the HD light to turn left...
Suddenly the engine revved up on its own and started belching black smoke out the tail pipe, for about 5 sec.
I coasted thru the junction and the engine sounded rough but the smoke died back, but still smoking slightly, which is unusual.
It sounded fine again for a min, as I searched for a parking spot.
But then as I pulled up it suddenly revved all the way up to 4000 rpm, and felt like it went into runaway!
Smoke was pouring from the tailpipe and some from under the hood and it started to make a death rattle.
I turned the key off, and it kept going.
Oil pressure and temps were fine, when I glanced at the instruments.
I popped it back in gear with my foot on the brake, hoping that would help, and the engine slowed quickly and then stalled.
Got out, and the smoke was so thick I couldnt see 10' at the back of the car!

After a min to catch my breath, I noticed a thick black sooty discharge on the ground from the tailpipe with wet oil spots.
Oil was dripping out of the exhaust side of the engine, and onto the exhaust manifold, which was smoking.
Oil was puddling on the ground but not tons.
Radiator hoses where slightly pressurized, warm, but not overhot, and coolant tank was full and clean.
I let it cool and then tried to start it.
It cranked maybe 3/4 of a turn then like slowed, so I stopped.

Got a tow home.

Just let it cool and looked it over.
Nothing obvious, but it cranked fine for a sec but I didn't really hold it long enough to start.
Can't see where the oil is coming from but seems like Headgasket area around #3 cylinder.

Only unusual thing is engine oil looks thin, and smells a bit of Diesel....level is now about 2x normal level, so call it 1-1.5" above normal.
Feeling sad...

Any thoughts would be welcome!

sloride · #2 06-21-2020, 08:52 PM

Not familiar, but does it have a turbo that could feed it oil? Or a failed valve seal, or piston ring doing it.

ROLLGUY · #3 06-21-2020, 09:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sloride

Not familiar, but does it have a turbo that could feed it oil? Or a failed valve seal, or piston ring doing it.

It is an N/A Diesel= NO TURBO

Merkey · #4 06-22-2020, 12:16 AM

Yes.
OM601 2.2 liter 4 cyl No turbo

I’m reluctant to try to start it until I know more.
Anyone suggest anything I can do?
Compression test?

pawoSD · #5 06-22-2020, 12:47 AM

Sounds like either something failed inside the injection pump itself or an injector failed and started dumping diesel into the engine. I'd pull all the injectors and do a compression/spinover test. Don't try to run it again until things are checked over.

The OM601 is quite durable so chances are it may have survived it. I had one that was still running strong with 330k+ on the motor.

1.5-2" over max is a LOT of fuel in the oil...thats likely 1+ QUARTS of diesel.

Merkey · #6 06-22-2020, 12:50 AM

Thanks.
It never normally uses any oil between changes and last time I’d checked it, it was spot on the mark.
Now it’s way high.
Can’t seem to Upload pics.

I do have an injector pop tester but not a Diesel compression tester.
HF has one for $30 if it is any good.

ROLLGUY · #7 06-22-2020, 09:53 AM

Sounds to me like a bad head gasket. The oil feed passage to the head goes through the head gasket. It may have ruptured, and dumped lube oil into the closest cylinder. This is a common problem with the 60X engines (head gaskets leaking at the oil passage). It usually leaks into the coolant, but I wouldn't rule out the possibility of oil leaking into the combustion chamber.

I would pull the head, and that would surely give some indication of the problem. Be sure to get the head surfaced and the valves ground, it is not worth the $ and effort to just change the head gasket.....Rich

resago2000 · #8 06-22-2020, 10:15 AM

If its a pneumatic IP like my 240D, check the vacuum line from the intake to the IP. The hard line could have cracked and caused the initial runaway.

You can use normal rubber vacuum line to replace it.

Merkey · #9 06-22-2020, 12:05 PM

Thanks guys!

As far as I know, the head has never been off.

Just some further thoughts, and trying to apply logic...

So, I assume the oil level was correct or close to it, and now after sitting overnight, its prob 2" above normal...

Something displaced it, and coolant level is fine, and no sign of coolant in the oil.

If it was engine oil that had caused the runaway(HG, or Piston ring failure), wouldn't the oil level had gone down?

This leaves Fuel, and I felt the engine oil looked thin, and smelled of fuel(not unusual, I know).

The spray pattern of the ejected oil(or fuel), is odd...
There is spatters on the top of the exhaust manifold, that might have come from the HG joint, but I can't tell.

Diesel911 · #10 06-22-2020, 12:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ROLLGUY

Sounds to me like a bad head gasket. The oil feed passage to the head goes through the head gasket. It may have ruptured, and dumped lube oil into the closest cylinder. This is a common problem with the 60X engines (head gaskets leaking at the oil passage). It usually leaks into the coolant, but I wouldn't rule out the possibility of oil leaking into the combustion chamber.

I would pull the head, and that would surely give some indication of the problem. Be sure to get the head surfaced and the valves ground, it is not worth the $ and effort to just change the head gasket.....Rich

X2

Remove the intake manifold and see where it is oily.

Merkey · #11 06-22-2020, 12:24 PM

Ok!

I just ordered a Diesel Compression tester, will be here tomorrow.
Today, I might pull the injectors and take a look at them, which is all steps in the right direction..

Merkey · #12 06-22-2020, 12:27 PM

But a blown HG would not explain the engine oil level going up, would it??
Assuming its not coolant.
I checked coolant today... same level, and clear, Zerex amber, no sign of oil in coolant, or coolant in the oil.

Diseasel300 · #13 06-22-2020, 01:28 PM

You drained the oil out and checked for coolant settling in a clear bottle? The only way fuel is going to get in the oil in that kind of quantity in that timeframe is a catastrophic failure of the injection pump or lift pump. Those saying the head gasket popped are most likely on the right path.

If in doubt, pull an oil sample and send to Blackstone. They'll tell you exactly what's in the oil.

Merkey · #14 06-22-2020, 01:40 PM

I will drain the oil today, while im pulling the Injectors.

I regularly send my other vehicles oil to Blackstone.
The issue I have with that is it seems to be taking 2+ weeks to get results now, and I want to know sooner rather than later!

Dubyagee · #15 06-22-2020, 02:11 PM

Sounds like diesel intruded into the oil via the lift pump or IP. Got high enough to run away.