I have a 1985 280SE (euro). I think the engine is like the 1980 280SE. The car has always smoked very bad (until now). Here is what I have done ..... but I am not sure why it is running so much better and not smoking. I would appreciate it if someone could explain and let me know if I have done anything wrong.

First, because I thought I might need new valve seals, I took off the valve covers to just look around. I noticed that there was an Air intake line to the valve compartment coming from the air filter. It was a metal stem and it had a lot of soot (build up in it). I remove the build up with a paper clip and blew some air through it. It was so clogged that I thought that there would have to be a difference. Sure enough there was. The smoke was about 50% of what it usually was (immediately).

Next, I change the oil to Delo 400, as reccommended many times on this board. Again, there was a noticable change in the amount of smoke and performance. I was actually not embarrassed at stop lights anymore.

The last thing.....and I am not sure about this one......I diconnected the vacuum line from the EGR to the side of the Valve cover. This made a huge difference in my shifting for some reason. My car has never ran smoother.

So what is up? Have I done anything wrong? Does this indicate that I have another problem that I am not addressing? Thanks for the help.

Warren

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1985 280SE