1983 300SD Turbo Diesel

[Cisco]

My car just turned to 140K miles. I have the car for almost three months and I've driven about 3,500 miles. The more I drive the car, the more I fall in love with it. However, I've noticed that it smokes a bit too much. I've observed other same model cars in the street, and they do not smoke as much as mine. The car doesn't burn oil. I check the oil on a regular basis, and never have to add any oil. I was told that a tuneup consist of just replacing the oil and the filters for the oil, air, and fuel. I replaced only one fuel filter(it looks like a regular oil filter). Are there other filters that should replace as well?
I was also told that it's a good practice to put one galon of kerozene for every full tank of diesel.
Any advised will be appreciated.

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[VA300SD]

Speaking as a daily driver, not a certified expert:

First - Replace your air filter. Not sure if it makes a difference, but I usually get the Mercedes air filter. Make sure the three rubber cushions supporting the air filter housing aren't broken. (Cheap to replace.)

Second - Invest in a case of Red Line fuel additive. Each bottle treats 200 gallons, so that's 10 fillups. The stuff's not cheap, but I take it as cost of enjoying large MB diesel sedans. For the first treatment, I would dump a whole bottle and take the car on an extended highway drive. Although an obvious point, do pour the additive first, then fill up the tank.
(I think there's also a reduction in diesel clatter noise.)
I buy this stuff also from the local MB dealer.

81 300SD, 193,000 miles.

[Bill Wood]

We have the Redline diesel additive available in PartsShop.

901 477 50 99 DIESEL ADDITIVE $5.53

We also have Lubro-Moly products made specifically for diesels such as:

000 583 12 04 HI-TEST $5.14

000 583 10 04 WINTER FLOW $3.77

000 583 07 04 DIESEL PURGE $11.44

Winter's coming! We've already sent several shipments of the above additives to our members in Canada. To order, simply enter the part numbers exactly as shown above into the PartsShop On-Line Ordering parts search field.



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Bill Wood - Webmaster
MercedesShop.com, LLC

[Benzmac]

The smoke is a trade off. If you have the fuel system leaned out, it will stop the smoke but the car will be very slow. Some put up with the added smoke that provides more power.

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Benzmac:
ASE CERTIFIED MASTER AUTO TECHNICIAN
SERVICE MANAGER FOR 14 BAY FACILITY
MERCEDES SPECIALIST 8 YRS
PARTNER IN MERCEDESSHOP.COM

[Cisco]

Thank you for all the tips. I was on vacation and could not get back to you earlier. As my problem is concern, I replaced the air, oil, and the fuel filter (all from MB dealer) and the smoke still persit. I'm going to the MB dealer today to acquire the additives that you recomended. Now what can you tell me about adding kerozene to the disel? I was told that one gal. of kerozene for each fillup.
Thank you againg for your help.

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Why go to the dealer and acquire these additives? Don't you think it would be a great idea to support the efforts of the techs here on the MercedesShop.com site and order these additives through their on line parts shop? Check the Webmaster's post for the part numbers you need. Their prices seem very reasonable and you don't have to pay sales tax.

As for the kerosene, I understand that the manual states that diesel can be winterized through the addition of up to 50% kerosene, I believe. Check your owner's manual to be sure. The kerosene acts to prevent diesel fuel from gelling at low temperatures. As far as using kerosene for any other purpose is concerned, I'm not sure what you hope to achieve. It will not eliminate smoke. The smoke you have is the result of having a slight excess of fuel available for combustion. This slight excess of fuel acts to produce more power. If you reduce the amount of fuel available, you will reduce the amount of power the engine will produce and the car will be sluggish.

[Bill Wood]

Thanks for the plug!

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Bill Wood - Webmaster
MercedesShop.com, LLC

[Cisco]

You're right. I will order several bottles of 901 477 50 99 Diesel Additive. However, I pick up a bottle of diesel additive from a regular auto part and now the smoke is not as black and thick as before.
I purchased this car with the intention of giving it a proffesional paint job. I want to make sure that the car is worth the additional investment. Therefore, I'm observing it very, very carefully. Yesterday, for instance, I notice motor oil inside the canister that houses the air filter. There is a tube that goes from the top of the engine to the air filter/turbo area. For some reason, a small amount of oil is pushed out of the engine to the air filter compartment. Is this an indication of serious engine problem?

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[VA300SD]

I believe minor amount of oil is considered normal, or not cause for alarm.
(Please interject if this sound like BS.)
Once again, make sure the three rubber cushions for the housing aren't broken.

[Cisco]

Thanks, I feel much better now.

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[Benzmac]

As for the small amount of oil in the air filter housing, it is very normal!! No cause for alarm.

Thanks for the parts orders to all!

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Benzmac:
ASE CERTIFIED MASTER AUTO TECHNICIAN
SERVICE MANAGER FOR 14 BAY FACILITY
MERCEDES SPECIALIST 8 YRS
PARTNER IN MERCEDESSHOP.COM