I've got an 83 that shudders and shakes for 30 to 60 seconds after it sits for a while. It started after sitting several days and now its daily.

The car has 200K or so and otherwise runs great, it smokes a bit and I recently watched it as someone else was driving and it steadily smokes for a foot or so from the exhaust at idle, light smoke, a little on accel. I have diesel purged and regularlly run Redline 500.

Almost seems like lifters leaking down sort of thing. I replaced the o rings last oil change.

Will new injectors cure the smoke?

When were the valves adjusted?

Are the glow plugs in good order?

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Regards,
Aaron

Aaron, thanks, the valves were adjusted 5K -10K ago and glo plugs were replaced.

Also, you wouldn't have the headlite chrome frame for the 300SEL 6.3, mine blew off at 120, pass. side.

Roger

Shark,
I experienced the same thing earlier this week.

See this thread: New blue smoke at start-up

The day after my oil change I made a run from Austin to Corpus Christi. For approximately 95 of the 120+ miles of IH37 south of San Antonio I was running around 85 mph and on the return that afternoon about 80 or so.

I been wondering if the prolonged high speed driving coupled with a full crankcase didn't sling a little extra lube oil someplace weird in the breather where it could run into the intake manifold after shutdown.

Whatever it was, she isn't smoking at start up anymore but the rough idle is still there until the engine has run for 90-120 seconds.

Strange old cars, aren't they?

RL

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Never a dull moment at Berry Hill Farm.

I agree, wierd, can't figure this one. Oil level is correct and otherwise the car runs nicely.

The shuddering seems more pronounced but brief and with less waiting period required. I hate to just start throwing parts at it, wouldn't know which ones to throw anyway.

Could be an air leak in the fuel lines. Over a period of time it will allow air into the system and therefore you get the shudder until all the air gets bled out.
Might check your fuel lines for signs of leakage.

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'99 S420 - Mommies
'72 280SE 4.5 - looking to breathe life into it
'84 300SD Grey - Sold
'85 300SD Silver - Sold
'78 Ski Nautique

Fisherman, great suggestion, never crossed my little mind. I'll look at that and advise.