Parts Catalog Accessories Catalog How To Articles Tech Forums
Call Pelican Parts at 888-280-7799
Shopping Cart Cart | Project List | Order Status | Help



Go Back   PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum > Mercedes-Benz Tech Information and Support > Tech Help

Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 03-23-2009, 08:50 PM
Registered User
 
Join Date: Mar 2009
Posts: 1
White smoke from 280 sel 1972

what does white smoke mean from a 72 280 sel at start up?

Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 03-23-2009, 09:25 PM
Registered User
 
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Jacksonville, FL
Posts: 474
Hard to say with certainty but the transmission vacuum modulator is a good place to start. After the vehicle sits overnight, loosen the vacuum line to the modulator to see if transmission fluid weeps out. Mark
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 03-23-2009, 09:35 PM
Registered User
 
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Long Island
Posts: 578
Smoke on start-up is a classic symptom of worn valve guides / stem seals.

Next stage in the progression is for it to smoke badly when you drive off again after coasting to a stop.

If it's only on start-up, you can probably drive like that for a long time.

I agree that checking the modulator is a good move, although a modulator would usually smoke at idle even when warm, and you'd notice a pretty heavy ATF consumption.
__________________
1987 W201 190D
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 03-23-2009, 10:15 PM
Registered User
 
Join Date: Jul 2008
Posts: 1,236
A small wad of cotton or cigarette filter placed into the rubber elbow connecting the intake manifold to the transmission vacuum line will indicate if you have a leaky shift modulator. It will turn red. Probably don't want to leave it there for longer than needed to test that.

Sometimes some upper cylinder lube will free sticky rings and restore the seal. Worth a shot before you tear the engine apart.

__________________
-tp


1990 300SE "Corinne"- 145k daily driver - street modified differential - PARTING OUT OR SELLING SOON - PORTLAND OR. AREA - PM ME FOR DETAILS
1988 560SEL "Gunther"- 190K passes anything except a gas station
1997 S420 - 265k just bought it with a rebuilt trans. Lovely condition
Reply With Quote
Reply

Bookmarks


Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is On
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On




All times are GMT -4. The time now is 08:32 PM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.7
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.
Search Engine Optimization by vBSEO 3.6.0
Copyright 2024 Pelican Parts, LLC - Posts may be archived for display on the Peach Parts or Pelican Parts Website -    DMCA Registered Agent Contact Page