Smoke and no fuel mileage

[NCDiesels]

My 85 300D with 284,000 on it smokes worse than normal when first started and idles very rough. I run mobil 1 fluids, keep good filters and such, just had the valves adjusted 5,000 miles ago etc.

I also replaced the injectors a few thousand miles ago. Sometimes it even idles very rough and smokes after the engine is warm.

Could this be an injector pump issue?

I'm pretty new with these cars (but learning), so any suggestions would be helpful.

My 83 300CD runs better than any 3.0 I've ever driven.

Thanks.

[BoostnBenz]

What color smoke? What does it smell like? Just at idle?

[NCDiesels]

It's a light grey smoke and has a very strong burning diesel smell. It continues even while driving and seems to let up a little after a few minutes on the road (but not completely).

The best fuel mileage I get now is around 21 or so. My 300CD gets around 30 all the time.

[ericnguyen]

Dear NCDiesels:

I think the injection timing on your 300D may be off too much. Try to remove the valve cover, align the notch on the camshaft sprocket with the tower and look at the mark on the crankshaft
to see how many degrees your timing chain has been stretched.

More than 8 degrees would cause timing-related problems.

Eric

[NCDiesels]

Thanks very much for the tip. Like I said, I'm still learning here.

I do love these cars.....

Jerry

[ericnguyen]

Dear NCDiesels:

Don't forget to check and adjust the valve lashes (0.10 mm for intake and 0.35 mm for exhaust) when you remove the valve cover. BTW, do the valve adjustments when the engine is cold.

Eric

[NCDiesels]

Eric,

Thanks again for the help.

Jerry