I just noticed that there are clouds of strange smelling white smoke after the engine is warm and I've driven the car like I stole it (been troubleshooting a mis-fire on a newly aquired 94 E320 that I picked up for $200).

So... I guess that means head gasket time. It's got 200k on the clock.

Anything I should know? Are these head cracking engines?

__________________
-E300d '99 350k
-Suburban '93 220k
-TDI Jetta '03 350k
Sold
-F250 '96 7.3
-Dodge Ram 12V
-E320 '95 200k
-E320 Wagon 1994 155k
-300d Turbo '87 187k miles
-E320 1994 200k
-300d Turbo '84 245k (sold to Dan62)
-300d Turbo '84 180k
-300sd '80 300k
-7.3 Powerstroke Diesel 15P Van 500k+ miles
-190d '89 Non Turbo 2.5 5cyl 240k (my first MB)
Tom's Imports of Columbia MO Ruined the IP in changing leaky delivery valve O-Rings - Refused to stand behind his work. Mid-MO MB drivers-AVOID Tom's.

No, but they are head gasket blowers, especially by 200K.

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Prost!

Head gasket failures like you're describing on your M104 engine are rare. More common on M103 engines.

See this link for a nice write-up by 71Rcode:

My head gasket replacement notes (long) - M104 '95 E320

__________________
Paul S.

2001 E430, Bourdeaux Red, Oyster interior.
79,200 miles.

1973 280SE 4.5, 170,000 miles. 568 Signal Red, Black MB Tex. "The Red Baron".