Hello, I'm looking for opinions and advice. My 300SD began smoking (blue/white)fairly abruptly about six months ago. At the time it had been spending most of its time in storage. I drove it into the mountains and it did fine, but shortly after that it began smoking, especially at start up. While idling it shakes badly and feels like a cylinder is missing. While moving it is smooth and accelerates reasonably for 295K. I don't know how it could be significant, but I've recently noticed it runs smoother when the A/C is on.
I've taken it to two shops and the first advised the compression is too low (185 in one cylinder, approx. 210 in the others). They'd like to replace the engine and won't rebuild it.
I just took it to another shop and had it re-checked, they advised one cylinder is at 250, the others are at 260,275,275 and 325. While running, the compression in #3 goes up to a minimum of 350, the others are at 400-425. He's also advising the engine probably needs at least rings and sleeves, but if he finds significant wear it will need a rebuild.
In searching this forum I've found several similar situations where the recommendation has been to keep driving as long as the engine continues to start.
Any thoughts or suggestions? If it's okay to keep driving it, it will be an almost daily driver.
Thanks,
Jason