I've located a 72 350SL and it smokes from the exhaust. I know from previous car experience it could be valve guide seals, rings, possibly a cracked head gasket. Is there anything prone to this engine that would make it smoke? Question is for previous or current owners or mechanics who might have seen this engine in a similar state. I've not seen the car yet, so don't know if it's black smoke (oil) or white smoke (coolant), etc.
Mike

Manny's smoke identification guide:

Black = engine running too rich.
Blue = burning oil. ( If only on start-up, could be guides ).
White - headgasket. ( Accompanied by sweet smell ).

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2007 C 230 Sport.

* Need more information. Smoking when engine's cold, on start-up? Engine warm on start-up? Smoking all the time or just on start-up? Smoking increases on acceleration? Smoking increases on deceleration (w/ throttle shut)?
* This is a collectable model. If the body is rust free and the interior is good, why not just plan on doing an engine overhaul. Depending on the condition of things, you could likely get good results without boring cylinders or without replacing heads (the expensive items). I would also do clutch packs, bands and seals in the auto trans at the same time. You can do a lot of renovation for reasonable money without buying crated engines and transmissions at the dealer.
* Valve seals, assuming that you're burning oil, can be replaced without removing the heads. I think flat rate allows 4 hr. per side. You can check for excessive guide wear at the same time.
* Assuming that you're running rich, a very popular fault in that D-Jetronic fuel injection was the vacuum pressure regulator. Depending on the problem with the regulator, the sealed factory plug could be drilled, allowing a slight readjustment of the regulator.

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ASE Master Tech
Quality Enterprises
Mercedes Svc. & Restoration
Sheridan, IN
317.769.3536

Thank you. I should see the car sometime next week. Apologies to the board for not posting this in the correct board.

Mike, this vintage section is as good as any for 350. SL or SE, an M116 is an M116.

-CTH

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- cth350@gmail.com
http://www.111lakeside.com/