Engine going south???

[JimmyL]

A couple of days ago I had a thread about my '80 300TD being hard to keep running after start-up, and how it smoked for 2-3 minutes. Heavy white smoke. Well, all of the above is the same, but it now smokes all the time, white smoke, non-steam, as I clouded the entire road for an 1/8 mile yesterday. It also seems to have developed a slight miss when driving. I'm going to try and find a place to have my compression tested, and I'm guessing this may reveal the problem?
How much do mechanics usually charge for a compression test? I only ask this as it may determine how soon I address this problem. Taking my oldest daughter to college Friday, so yall can guess where most of my money is going. I've already retired "The Flash" from daily driving, but I've got to address this whether I keep it or sell it.
The car is winning..........
Jimmy

[kerry]

First thing I would do is pull the oil breather hose off and run it for a while to confirm that you are not sucking oil out of the crankcase and into the intake. Much cheaper than a compression test. Also, make sure the oil level is correct. Also make sure you are not sucking oil into the intake from the vacuum pump. Finally, make sure you are not sucking oil from the turbo into the intake. I'd say all those problems are more likely than a sudden catastrophic compression failure.

[pberku]

Also make sure that you don't have bad diesel fuel.

[JimmyL]

OK, I think I can rule out bad diesel, as I have drained the tank, plus filled up at several different places. I can rule out the turbo line, as I am a non-turbo. I will disconnect oil breather hose first. I'm assuming that is hose from valve cover to air breather. How would I check for oil being sucked in from the vacuum pump? Thanks so much for the help so far! I will check this when I get home. Any other ideas are most welcome.
Jimmy

[kerry]

On the models that can suck oil from the vacuum pump, there is a clear plastic line going from the pump to the air filter. Make sure there is no oil in this line.
I thought the 80 TD's had the turbo and that only the 79 wagons did not?? Is it 81?

[JimmyL]

I think the turbos started in '81 on wagons, but wouldn't swear to it. Just know mine doesn't have one. I don't have any type oil line, clear or not, going to the air cleaner other than black hose from valve cover over to hole in air cleaner.
Went by an indy today in the same parkinglot as one of my customers(not in my MB), and explained my situation to him. He said it sounded like IP problems. He said it sounded like it was running rich, which wouldn't let it idle correctly, and would cause it to smoke. He said it would run OK at speed, which it seems to do. I asked him about fixing that and he recommended using the car for parts and buying something else. Basically said the cost of the IP work isn't worth it for the car.
What do yall do when you have IP problems? Does his theory sound plausible?
Jimmy

[FrankM]

Fuel restrictions would cause this..

I would assume your fuel filters are ok...

[JimmyL]

Both have been replaced, fuel tank screen removed. It was spotless and didn't need cleaning. Will clogged injectors cause this? Do I need to try diesel purge, or would this simply be a waste of money based on my symptoms?
I will also do a search on cleaning injectors. Can a DIY'er handle that? And would it help, also based on my symptoms?
JL

[whunter]

Reverse the fuel hoses going to the fuel tank, only to test, run for thirty minutes, if it cleans up the issue is a plugged tank strainer.

Remove the injectors and check spray pattern + pop test.

Carefully inspect the prechambers while the injectors are out, damage or fouling could do this.

Have a great day.