99 E300 carbon/soot near injectors - worried - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

mrmagoo12 · #1 05-17-2021, 02:07 PM

In preparation to remove the intake manifold and change the glow plugs and a few hard to reach fuel lines, I removed the cover above the fuel injectors. Last time this was done was 6 years/88K miles ago.

I was surprised to see the collection of black soot as shown in the pictures. What causes this and should I be concerned? How do I fix this situation? Is this a mild form of "The black death" as seen in some of the newer diesel's?

FYI: of course the intake manifold is completely black with same and I intend to clean with diesel and grease cleaner. Thanks for any insight and help you can offer.

-Tim

engatwork · #2 05-17-2021, 05:14 PM

The black round device is the device that separates blowby gasses from the oil and allows oil to drain back into the engine. You are seeing "seepage" from this system not soot. It looks so bad because anyplace oil is you have dirt/debris that seems to cling on. Clean it up and don't worry about it.

Now if you look deep into the injector hoses and see black tar like substance then you are seeing the beginning of black death. I've never heard of it being that big of a deal on the 606 engine (which your car and my daily driver).

Lose the cover and you can keep an eye on all this stuff anytime you have hood open.

mrmagoo12 · #3 05-17-2021, 05:29 PM

Thanks for the good news Jim. I'll clean it up and move on to the intake manifold.

gmog220d · #4 05-17-2021, 09:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by engatwork

You are seeing "seepage" from this system not soot.

I agree with this assessment. If the rubber pieces are dried out and hard you can get replacements for not a terrible amount of money. I replaced all of the rubber bits in that system on the '96's engine.

I wouldn't run it for long without the plastic cover in place, though. Don't want to get dirt build up down in the injector wells. It's not so easy to clean them out.