Hi all Prevost3000 here.

I just bought a 1989 190E 2.6L Gasoline/Auto Trans. 174,100 miles.

I drove it home and noticed a big problem:

Black/Blue smoke exiting the exhaust pipe. The trunk lid/bumper of the car was covered in black yuk. The previous owner did not care for it at all, in the 10 months of ownership, it got an alternator and a battery, thats it, no oil, no plugs, no coolant, nothing!! To mercedes credit, thats good, but I am left with the neglected leftovers.

The smoke puffs on acceleration, but kinda levels off to nil at standstill idle. I pulled the plugs and they were oil fouled something bad, I threw a cheap set i had laying around to get it home. I wouldnt hardly idle with the old ones.

Question: Could the lack of oil change lead to the oil entering the combustion chamber? I know it had a 5W30 oil change 11,000 miles ago, 11 months ago. Viscosity breakdown? Do they make something that can clean out the oily chamber?

Do you think I should change out the fuel injectors, could some of the smoke be a couple bad injectors. My check engine light is NOT on.

Please Help.
Prevost3000

Naturally you should change the oil asap, and refill with whatever weight is proper for your climate (if it's really bad, maybe change it twice).
Seeing as how the oil was never changed, I bet the airfilter is filthy too.
I would also suspect that the PO used cheap gas...so you might want to throw in some decent injector cleaner.

Then I would see how things stand after that.

__________________
It is a truism that almost any sect, cult, or religion will legislate its creed into law if it acquires the political power to do so. Robert A. Heinlein


09 Jetta TDI
1985 300D

Draining the oil as i type this. I am putting in Rotella 15W40, and a bosch filter. the air cleaner is brown but i can still see the texas sun through it mostly. I bought some seafoam, i will add that to the gas, and drive it. Does anyone think the injectors are junk? I am extremely new to this engine and injection system, any advice will be filed away and utilized. Thanks.

Prevost

Run the Seafoam straight into the intake. Do this by dropping a vacuum hose in the can and letting it suck the cleaner straight into the engine undiluted with gasoline. You will have to manually play with the throttle to keep it running and it will smoke like hell. Then shut it off and let it sit overnight. Drop a second can in the gas tank (not the can, just the cleaner) and drive. If you don't get a good cleaning on the injectors, repeat the whole process in a week. Like Larry said run a higher octane for a tank or two, or try a can of octane booster.

__________________
65 190d sold
85 380SE sold
87 560 SL 180K
84 380SE 96K (mint)

what is Seafoam? Pardon my ignorance.

Normally added to the gas tank but works best at 200 proof! One of the best products on the shelf, available at most parts stores. Cost a little more, but worth it.

__________________
65 190d sold
85 380SE sold
87 560 SL 180K
84 380SE 96K (mint)

Ok. I did the oil change and now my oil pressure doesnt drop to less than 1 bar at idle in gear. It is between 1 and 2 bar. Is this Ok, By the way? its 15W40

I was doing some work on the bumper and i let the engine run the seafoam from the tank, and my eyes were on fire! The exhaust was black and sooty and burned my eyes. Isnt that a sign of high hydrocarbons (unburned gasoline?) Perhaps I can adjust the fuel mixture somehow at idle. I dont know. Isnt there a small hex for that on the air cleaner?

Prevost

Make no adjustments yet, probably just the Seafoam - it stinks and smokes like hell, but does the job.

__________________
65 190d sold
85 380SE sold
87 560 SL 180K
84 380SE 96K (mint)

I am considering swapping the 02 sensor from another 190E i have that doesnt black smoke. It looks hard to get to, is it a bugger? Any hints/tips?

Also, I want to reset the fuel trim codes in the engine computer, but I dont want to lose the radio by resetting the battery ground, is there another way? I have a Becker Grand Prix tape deck with 10 presets. (no factory alarm system)

It black smoked before the SeaFoam. Any thoughts about the injectors? they look simple enough to swap out of my other 190E's.

Prevost3K

BTW - is the oil press. supposed to jump from 1.5 to 3+ when i hit the gas from a stop? I tried to fool around with the mixture setting at the air cleaner, but there was a steel ball in that hole, isnt there supposed to he a hex?

Ok. I have had the car for a little while and I think I got it all cleared up. How you ask?

I changed the oil and filter. I used a bosch filter and 15W40 Oil. Soon after that I noticed that the spark plug fouling and bluish exhaust cleared up.

But it still idled rough and thought it would die at intersection with ac and drive on. I ran Seafoam through the gas tank with premium (of course) I can of seafoam and 2 tanks of premium, it runs like a top.

I was so afraid the engine was junk. I am relieved. Oh and I replaced the air filter, it was still good though.

Prevost