I don't want to start an oil war but....
I switched to mobil 1 diesel/suv oil, 15 30w I think, 3000 miles ago. Two good things - less noisy and less oil consumption. I've put 12,000 miles on since last march, right now the cars got around 140k miles. I had the oil change with dino for the first 3000 and 6000 miles changes and it dropped about a half a quart or so after 1500 miles. Although mildly inconvenient, not really a concern. Now I've driven about 3000 miles with no noticable oil consumption but I've noticed a little bit of blue smoke when I start up first thing in the morning. I realized that it takes very little oil to make the blue smoke but it is annoying. The car had new valve guides shortly before I bought it. Could it be valve guides? I plan to give it some time and see how it goes.

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1986 300SDL

Don't sweat it just yet. Wait through he next oil change and see how consumption is. As long as consumption is in reason I would not worry.

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Proud owner of ....
1971 280SE W108
1979 300SD W116
1983 300D W123
1975 Ironhead Sportster chopper
1987 GMC 3/4 ton 4X4 Diesel
1989 Honda Civic (Heavily modified)
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Section 609 MVAC Certified
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"He who fights with monsters might take care lest he thereby become a monster. And if you gaze for long into an abyss, the abyss gazes also into you." - Friedrich Nietzsche

I see a puff of smoke at start-up in my '87 300D Turbo. I had a valve job (new guides) and still see it. I attribute it to the idle adjust circuit kicking in or for some reason the engine just runs rich briefly at startup. It doesn't bother me, I believe the OM603's just do that normally. GSXR or Hatterasguy might have some input on this too.

FWIW mine uses less than a qt of oil (AMSOIL 15W40) per 1500 miles or so (255K on the engine.)

BTW my smoke appears darker maybe greyish, but I always see it out of the rear view mirror, so not so sure exactly what color it is. I could have someone start it while I sniff it - burning oil smells "oily". Unburnt diesel smells like diesel.
Oh yes, one more thing, do you keep the level at half way point (mid scale) on the dipstick? There is good advise in the 'Forum against filling it to the top line as oil consumption is greater if kept topped up,

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'95 E320 Wagon my favorite road car. '99 E300D wolf in sheeps body, '87 300D Sportline suspension, '79 300TD w/ 617.952 engine at 367,750 and counting!

Actually, I'm not 100% sure it's oil smoke but it does look a little blue. My kids look at me in a strange way when they see me jump out of the car after I start it and stick my head in the smoke to get a lung full. Hard to say. Sadly, I do think it's lubricating oil burning but I could be wrong. In any case, it's smoking more than it used to but only on the first start of the day. I'm going to check my glow plugs make sure they'll all okay.
Dave

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1986 300SDL

"My kids look at me in a strange way when they see me jump out of the car after I start it and stick my head in the smoke to get a lung full"

They think you've just escaped from a lunatic asylum :p

Eric

A Diesel loonie! yes we are crazy to some people!
I had just parked and a car drove up and the driver got out, the lady asked me if I knew my car was smoking and why did it smoke like that? (she had her kid or grandkid in tow) I replied, "Lady, this car is a fine example of a diesel automobile, with over a quarter million miles on it (I used to have a license plate frame that had those words engraved on it) and when your car has that many miles on it it will likely be in a wrecking yard somewhere". She shut up and walked on!
Dieseldiehard
1971 220 (gas) 4-spd manual 106441
1979 300TD w/ ’85 turbo engine 295530
1983 300D 243280
1985 300TD 217300
1987 300D 258230

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'95 E320 Wagon my favorite road car. '99 E300D wolf in sheeps body, '87 300D Sportline suspension, '79 300TD w/ 617.952 engine at 367,750 and counting!