Going anything over 90 (anything over 4,000 rpms), the transmission is smoking. I can't tell while driving, I could only tell when stopped and smoke would come from above the manifold (?) where the trans is.
I am going in for a trans change today at the dealership in Tucson just to be safe.
But keep in mind, the temp of desert on the drive out here to AZ was 104 most of the way, and with the AC on, temp was always between 90 and 103 or so. About 500 miles of this.
Kept it under 90 once I noticed the problem though.
Any thoughts?
Thanks guys!

__________________
2006 E350 w/ 155k miles (Daily Driver)

Previous:
1993 300E 3.2L Sedan w/ close to about 300k miles
2003 E500 Brilliant Silver (Had 217k miles when totalled!)
1989 300E with 289,000 miles (had for <1 yr while in HI)
03 CLK 500 cabrio (Mom's)
2006 C230k (Dad's)
1999 S420 (Mom's/Dad's)
2000 C230k Sport sedans
2001 CLK320 Cabrio (Mom's)
1995 C280 My First Mercedes-Benz... (155k miles. EXCEPTIONAL AUTOMOBILE. Was Very hard to let go of!)

My 95 C280 had exactly the same problem about 2 weeks ago. My mechanic told me the problem had something to do with the transmission oil leaking at some connection because the MB part was made out of plastic. I will try to find out exact name of the part that was replaced. Anyways, the white smoke coming out from under the vehicle was caused by the oil leak sprayed onto the exhaust manifold, and after highway driving with a/c on, the oil residue burning off. Cost me $390 to fix it with parts. Hope this helps.

__________________
Edward Cho
Menlo Park, CA
1983 Porsche 944
1995 C280

Brother of The Benz, Klasse
If your tranny is smoking from within, you have major problems.
But in the real world it would most likely be an oil leak contacting the exhaust system.
When you stop, the smoke rises from the mid section of the chassis, where the tranny, the cat/conv and mid-muffler reside.
Don't through the Baby out with the wash, check it out.
Happy Trails Beep Beep from The Spiderman in Houston!!!

Light oil and hot exhaust does not a good combination make. Remember what happened with my Suburban in February? Find the leak and fix it before you have a helping of barbequed 280.

__________________
Mike Tangas
'73 280SEL 4.5 (9/72)- RIP
Only 8,173 units built from 5/71 thru 11/72

'02 CLK320 Cabriolet - wifey's mid-life crisis

2012 VW Jetta Sportwagon TDI...at least its a diesel

Non illegitemae carborundum.

Aside from all that has been said, if the fluid level is 2 drops too full, it will come out the vent on top and hit the exhaust. This only will happen at high speeds.

I would correct the fluid level first. The correct level is 10mm below the bottom line when cold, at idle in park.

Good luck.

__________________
Benzmac:
Donnie Drummonds
ASE CERTIFIED MASTER AUTO TECHNICIAN
MERCEDES SPECIALIST 11 YRS

Thanks Benzmac! I thought that might have been the problem (too much fluid), but it's hard to determine the level (for me anyway!?). Anyway, I took it into Tucson Mercedes-Benz and had the man change the fluid and filter. And sure enough, the fluid level was too high, and that was the problem. I went ahead and had him change the fluid and filter anyway ($125.00). He also told me that nothing was harmed and not a problem.

Anyway, I asked him about the head gasket leaking. He said from what he could see (under the car), it didn't look like the head gasket had a leak. He said there was some oil towards the front of the engine that could be from the 'front cover of the cylinder head(not sure if it was 'head).' So I'm not sure, does this sound like a common leak for the front of the engine? He said it wasn't all that common, but that he had seen it quite a few times.

Thanks again everyone!

__________________
2006 E350 w/ 155k miles (Daily Driver)

Previous:
1993 300E 3.2L Sedan w/ close to about 300k miles
2003 E500 Brilliant Silver (Had 217k miles when totalled!)
1989 300E with 289,000 miles (had for <1 yr while in HI)
03 CLK 500 cabrio (Mom's)
2006 C230k (Dad's)
1999 S420 (Mom's/Dad's)
2000 C230k Sport sedans
2001 CLK320 Cabrio (Mom's)
1995 C280 My First Mercedes-Benz... (155k miles. EXCEPTIONAL AUTOMOBILE. Was Very hard to let go of!)

Brother of The Benz, David
Listen to what your Technican said, the front timing chain cover is a leak area, and the oil pressure regulator seal too.
When the cover gasket is replaced you will get the camshaft and thw crankshaft seals renewed also.
Sounds as if you will have a dry engine up front.
Always coming to my mind is that the crankcase is at minus atmospheric pressure resulting from the controlled orific crankcase ventilator. Could we have the orific restricted, not maintaining the low pressure that is required to keep external leaking at a minimum?
Happy Trails Beep Beep from The Spiderman in Houston!!!

Thanks for the advice Donald.
But, what if the head gasket HAS been replaced (is there anyway to find out for sure!?)?

"When the cover gasket is replaced you will get the camshaft and thw crankshaft seals renewed also. "

COver gasket different than head gasket? If no, then what if I don't need the head gasket replaced (ahh, I probably do, knowing my luck.)

__________________
2006 E350 w/ 155k miles (Daily Driver)

Previous:
1993 300E 3.2L Sedan w/ close to about 300k miles
2003 E500 Brilliant Silver (Had 217k miles when totalled!)
1989 300E with 289,000 miles (had for <1 yr while in HI)
03 CLK 500 cabrio (Mom's)
2006 C230k (Dad's)
1999 S420 (Mom's/Dad's)
2000 C230k Sport sedans
2001 CLK320 Cabrio (Mom's)
1995 C280 My First Mercedes-Benz... (155k miles. EXCEPTIONAL AUTOMOBILE. Was Very hard to let go of!)

Brother of The Benz, Klasse(my wife asks "is your first name Santa and may she give you her list early".
You are right, there are five gaskets and two seals for there area you are concerned.
1. cam cover
2. timing gear cover and cam seal
3. timing chain cover and crank shaft seal
4. cylinder head
5. a portion of the oil pan
I don't think I have overlooked any.
Any one of these can leak oil.
The cylinder head gasket can leak motor oil, engine coolant, and compression.
Try for the largest external leak first.
This will make the next leak the largest, continue this way untill they are all repaired.
By keeping the outside of your engine clean, leaks can be identified as they occur, and repaired before you have a number to contend with.
The cam cover and timing chain cover are Not the cylinder head gasket.
You maybe able to tell if the gaskets have been renewed by the cleanliness of the front on the engine.
If you have a front crankshft seal leaking, you are right in that you DO get all of the gaskets/seals in/on the components removed getting to the crank seal.
But the cylinder head gasket does not need to be removed to renew these front of the engine gasket/seals.
But again, renewing the cylinder head gasket does require the renewing of most of these gaskets/seals. The exception being the timing chain cover. I Theenk.
Always have seals/gaskets replaced that require the removal of accessories to gain access to the serviced part.
Example: the cylinder head is removed. What additional labor/part cost would there be to renew the water pump(provided it hasn't been renewed recently.)
As you can see, there is method to this madness.
Happy Trails Beep Beep from the Spiderman in Houston!!!