Head Gasket???

I need some help here...I have an 87 300E with 160k and a bit of a problem. Upon first driving when cold, it has blown an enourmous amount of white smoke for about 3 or 4 seconds and then quit. It feels as if the car has low power while it is blowing th smoke (burning coolant I assume). Is this serious enough to get fixed now, as it has only blown smoke twice, about 6 months apart, but exact same characteristics. This has me confused as it does not blow smoke otherwise. Thanks for the help!


------------------
Chris
'87 300E
160k

[jeffsr]

I know this one. You're burning pooled oil which runs down around the valve stems when the engine is not running. With 160K you are probably due for seals, guides and a valve regrind. I just had my '89 300E done (as part of a repair on a blown head gasket). The guides and seals were toast, despite frequent oil changes. If you love that car, then bite the bullet and have the work done. Pricey, but shop around, or DIY if you are so inclined Had 165k when it was done.

------------------
Jeff L
1987 300e
1989 300e
1987 BMW 325

[This message has been edited by jeffsr (edited 04-17-2000).]

Jeffsr, can you give me a possible price on how much this will cost? I also thought that when oil burned, it burned blue, not white. Thanks for the info

------------------
Chris
'87 300E
160k

[jeffsr]

Chris, either blue or white or bluish white. If you're burning coolant, the exhaust will have a sort of sweet smell and your cooling system will show signs of over pressure once the engine is warm. You can check this by removing the cap on the expansion tank, watch the level and observe for bubbles. Also look for oil in the coolant (head gasket). Oil burning can be either bluish white or white, depending on the amount burned. In either case, i.e. valves or head gasket, the head will have to come off. It cost me $865 for parts and machine shop when I did mine (blown head gasket, warped head), but I did all of the teardown and refit myself. If you're up to it this is the way to go, however, this is not a job for someone new to DIY. Ask Benzmac (Donnie), he was a great help when I did mine...

------------------
Jeff L
1987 300e
1989 300e
1987 BMW 325

[Benzmac]

If a shop does the work, depending on the amount of machine work, you will spend about $1500-2,000.

------------------
Benzmac:
Donnie Drummonds
1992 500E (very soon I hope
1981 280GE SWB
ASE CERTIFIED MASTER AUTO TECHNICIAN
SERVICE MANAGER FOR 14 BAY FACILITY
MERCEDES SPECIALIST 8 YRS
PARTNER IN MERCEDESSHOP.COM