Cazzzidy


With my 1972 220D I had to take the head off and replace the valve guides and seals, and clean up the intake valves. It also smoked like yours. The oil leaking past the valve guides caked on the top of the intake vavle poppets preventing them from effectively seating. This caused compression to degrade to the point where starting was difficult and combustion was poor. Lots of smoke from incompletely burned Diesel and a good amount of oil, especially at start ups. None of this was particularly good for the prechambers either, but they were ok structurally and I did not replace them.

On the good side, the head came off pretty easily as there is next to nothing but the engine in the engine compartment. No air, no turbo, just a little engine. Easy access. Once repaired the engine ran nicely, much less smoking and normal starting, for 5 or 6 years that I was still in touch with the car.

Good luck, Jim

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Own:
1986 Euro 190E 2.3-16 (291,000 miles),
1998 E300D TurboDiesel, 231,000 miles -purchased with 45,000,
1988 300E 5-speed 252,000 miles,
1983 240D 4-speed, purchased w/136,000, now with 222,000 miles.
2009 ML320CDI Bluetec, 89,000 miles

Owned:
1971 220D (250,000 miles plus, sold to father-in-law),
1975 240D (245,000 miles - died of body rot),
1991 350SD (176,560 miles, weakest Benz I have owned),
1999 C230 Sport (45,400 miles),
1982 240D (321,000 miles, put to sleep)