Black Smoke?
 

On a V-8 gasser?


Besides the fact that's running increadbly rich, and oil consumption is about a liter every 2 weeks (most of which is on my driveway) What could Black Smoke indicate? Valve seals? Dosnt smell to much like burning oil...

Over simplified version:

Black smoke = very rich.
Blue smoke = oil consumption.
White smoke = headgasket.

A super rich running engine is not only wasting a lot of fuel, but excessive amounts of gasoline into the cylinders will also contribute to accellerated engine wear ( cylinder wash-down ). ;)

MPG has be at an all-time low also. It CANT be good for the cat. converter.


where should I start with the diagnostics?

White smoke is caused by anti-freeze, usually head gasket

Blue smoke is caused by oil, usually valves or rings

Black smoke is caused by gas, usually carb problems

Sorry, I'm not familiar with that particular model/engine.
I'm sure somebody qualified will jump in here soon. ;)

From what I've gathered, head gaskets and valve cover seals are a popular problem with my car (w126 116.696 engine)

Headgasket is about an $800 job, which usually requires heli-coring the threads of the block.

It's Fuel injected via the Bosch K-jetronic injection system. I also forgot to mention that the o2 sensor looks to be original, with 137,000 miles on it (it's rusted on, I couldnt get it off)

head gaskets for 800$??? If that's the case I need to be sending all the cars I take in here up there! To do heads etc properly typically runs in the 3-4.5K range depending on what shows up once you are in there.

Heli coiling typically adds an extra 500.

Jonathan

Maybe that was the quote for the rearmain seal...I forget.

Consdering the fact that the car itself only cost 2,400 a proper headgasket replacement would cost more than the car; hell a rebuilt longblack engine is around that price...

PROBLEM SOLVED




well, kinda. The smoke is caused by the cam oiler tube becoming disconnected from it's (broken, in my case) plastic peices. Just ordered the parts from fastlane.