Hi, ive got a 190e 1.8, we call this a 180e in australia. It has 117,000 kms and runs and looks like brand new. One small issue though, during cold starts the exhaust pipe intermitently releases black smoke but this stops once the engine is warm or once the accelerator is pushed a bit. The car runs fine during this phase and idle mixture appears correct. All Filters spark plugs rotor cap leads were replaced recently plus the oxygen sensor. Pressure regulator is fine. Fuel economy is 16-20 litres/100 kms. Any suggestions or even idle comments would be appreciated.

perhaps I should add that the liquid is far more predominant than the smoke and that it produces a rather large black stain on the road. Also I should add that the car is year 1993 and a 102.910 engine. The whole service I described was done at 113,000 but the O2 sensor was done at 116,000.

16-20???

I'm getting 8 on a run in my 350K Kms 300-24. On short journeys it's pretty poor at, perhaps, 14 or 15.

It must be running very rich. I assume it's fuel-injected Bosch K or KE.

I would start with measuring Duty Cycle - lots of comment on the forums.

Are you SURE it's as bad as 16-20??? My friend gets that on a 4.9 V8, petrol Jeep.

Good luck.

RayH

it sounds like it may be condensation in the exhaust,the black smoke may be oil dripping past the valve seals and then into the cylinder,is this a deisel or gas engine?,desiels smoke allot ,but there should be no black liquid or smoke,maybe this is a sign of a defective head gasket,if thats the case,oil will be geting into the cylinger thru a cracked head or torn head gasket,this will allow a small amount of coolant thru mixed with oil,causing the smoke and black oily fluids.you may want to remove your oil dipstick,closely inspect the oil on the dipstick,for tiny discolored spots or bubbles this may be engine coolant.also check your engine coolant make sure there is no oil slick floating on top,good luck.

If the mileage your getting is accurate it would appear that the engine is running very rich. I would also start off by checking the the duty cycle. There is a lot of information that has been posted if you do a search.

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1989 300CE

Pull the plugs & see if they are WET.
Possible leaking transmission modulator valve.

Problem has finally been resolved. It was a faulty ignition coil which was failing in stages until it stopped working completely. Once this part was replaced, the symptoms disappeared.