How can I tell if my engine is missing (what does that mean by the way ???) How can I tell if all my cylinders are working when I start it up ? Does it shake more than normal or does it smoke a little ? I have had my 420 SEL blow out a little white smoke when the engine was already warmed up and shake more than normal when it is warmed up at start up.

Thanks

A miss is the term used when one of the cylinders does not fire correctly. You can tell when this is happening by the shaking of the engine usually at idle. The smoke is the valve guide seals leaking. Probably needs a valve job.

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Benzmac:
1987 16V
ASE CERTIFIED MASTER AUTO TECHNICIAN
SERVICE MANAGER FOR 14 BAY FACILITY
MERCEDES SPECIALIST 8 YRS
PARTNER IN MERCEDESSHOP.COM

If a engine is missing and it shakes when you start it up, does this shake go away ??? does that cylinder not work when the car is moving ??? Does an engine missing cause any damage ??? What is white smoke, is that burned oil ???

"Missing" means that one or more of your cylinder is not firing right and/or not firing at all. Usually, when "missing", the engine shakes at idle, and if you have more than one cylinder "missing", the shakes usually won't go away as you accelerate. "missing" won't cause any damage, just that fuel goes in, and comes out without completely burned. And if your engine is "missing", and there's smoke comes out of your exhaust(black, look like from desiel cars), it's ok. Those black smoke is fuel that isn't burned, and comes out from the exhaust.

White smoke(or Blue smoke)mean Big$$$. The engine oil is some how getting into the engine, compress with air/fuel and burned with. If you have White smoke, take the car to dealer ASAP.

P.S. I just have my cap and wires changed, because my '92 400SE was "missing", too. I have 4 cylinders not firing at all(ya, it drove like a Lada by that time), and some black smoke would come out of tailpipes if I accelerate(not always, smoke would gone if engine is at working temp. about 86C) So, go have your distributor caps check, and make sure all ignition wires/spark plugs are in good condition.

Hope this helps....
'92 400SE
71,118 KM

Akry, how much smoke are we talking about ?
I have 2-3 seconds worth at start up. The car sits for a week at a time so I don't know if it's just condensation.

Also how long will it take for condensation to clear out if the car was sitting for a week ?

Valve stem seals? Well, let the car idle for 5-10 minutes and hit the accelerator. If a cloud of blue/white smoke comes out, then you're ready for seals. Although you'd also notice oil consumption of about a quart every 200 miles. The term "missing" is kind of wide open for comment. Maybe the rough idle is due to fuel injection problems. How many miles does the car have? If it's around 100K, you might as well do a major service to it while you are doing the seals. So that includes timing chain, tensioners, and, should pocket permit, fuel injectors, distributor head, warm up-full load enrichment compensator, and the like. Ok, hope this helps!

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Rgds,
Aaron Greenberg
MB technician
'67 250SE Cabriolet
'77 450SL
'79 6.9
'79 6.9
'80 300SD
'81 240D
'85 380SE
'89 420SEL
'93 300E 2.8

As for the smoke. Well, not much(not like those from Semi ). If you start the engine, it shakes for couple mins, then settles down, I guess you are ok. But if it keeps shaking, and shakes even more when acclerates, then check the distributor caps.

P.S. As what happen to my car was that, only when I press throttle down about 50% or so, the smoke(actually it's "not-fully-burn fuel"). But other than smoke, I notice it's harder to start the car, too.

Good luck with your club
Andy Kuo
'92 400SE
71,128 KM

Chavidrsa Bamangutra Sorry we don't do that here! Go back where you came from. OR clean it up.
Benzmac
Owner of this site.

[This message has been edited by Benzmac (edited 09-24-1999).]