Have a 92 300D 2.5. Purchased the car last October and have put several thousand miles on it. Car ran great, was getting 34mpg, not using any oil.

About 5 weeks ago, noticed the battery was not turning the starter very fast. Lifted the hood and found that the tension spring for the serpentine belt had disappeared. Figured the top hook had broken and it had fallen off. Replaced spring and belt.

Then, miles per gallon drops to 30 and starts losing coolant. Still running great.

Yesterday, starts making LOTS of white smoke. No loss of power or higher temps. If I wasn't looking in the back mirror, would not have thought anything was wrong.

Got it home, and the oil was low. Starts right up but still making LOTS of white smoke.

Trying not to jump to the wrong and expensive conclusion, but as I told someone the other day - denial is NOT a river in Egypt.

Comments or suggestions?

JV