Confusing problem - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

JimmyL · #1 11-22-2004, 09:46 AM

Sorry to whip you with another smoke post, just trying to get the Flash operational again.
Car has been smoking terribly for months. Took it to hole in the wall Saturday. Guy was stumped, said car has NO blowby. Loosened all injectors on IP pump, one at a time, and all changed engine idle characteristics. He said that was all he knew. No charge, but no real help either.
Almost ran out of fuel going home, it almost died, but a jerked it back and forth and it picked back up. Should have had 4-5 gallons left, but it always does that. Clue?? Tank and screen have been cleaned by the way. Put in 9 gallons of diesel2, and headed home. Hmmm, seems to be idling better. Less smoke. Still smoked, but it was less. Still takes over 1/2 mile to get to 60 though.
So, I bought 2 cans of diesel purge. Removed screw on filter, drained it, and poured in purge, 1/2 a can or better fits in filter. Put 1 1/2 cans of purge in my purge bottle, hooked it all up, and started car. Smoked a little at first, and then all smoke was gone. This is the second time that I have purged it, and niether time does it smoke. At all!
Re-hooked up fuel lines, and went and drove car. Still has way too little acceleration, way too little. That didn't change of course. And it smokes some, but I don't think as bad. It was dark, but it was less smoke than it had been.
So, what is the difference between the fuel and the purge? I do believe I've had 2 different tankfulls of fuel that smoked like mad. This latest partial tankfull seems to have helped, but there was still 5 or so gallons of old stuff in there.
I'm guessing my engine is OK, as it should still smoke running purge if ring or valve problems?
I'd appreciate ANY advice.
Jimmy L

**edit** picture is of car running on purge

#2 11-22-2004, 10:37 AM

1) Check the line coming from the back of the intake going up to the crossover and then on to the ALDA. If that line or the banjo bolt is plugged it not open the ALSA when the turbo spools up and you won' t get any power. I
2) Check the cigar hose, that shortodd shaped hose running from the steel fuel line to the fuel filter. Gets rotten and will suck air into the fuel line. Just pulll it off and see if air blows through any cracks.
3) Timing could be off. You may need to time the IP. A few different ways to time, most common is the drip method. I will not review that here, there are better threads around.
Lack of power and smoke often are caused by the same issue. You may still need the injectors rebuilt, or some other i$$ue. But try the economical fixes first.

R Leo · #3 11-22-2004, 12:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Old Deis

1) Check the line coming from the back of the intake going up to the crossover and then on to the ALDA. If that line or the banjo bolt is plugged it not open the ALSA when the turbo spools up and you won' t get any power.

Old Dies, Jimmy's wagon is normally aspirated, no ALDA, no overboost line.

Jimmy,
Just what I thought, a load of crappy fuel. At least you have good injectors now.

tenknots · #4 11-22-2004, 02:56 PM

If you havn't yet, make sure your air filter is not plugged. A restricted airflow can cause lots of smoke and low power.

Wasuchi · #5 11-22-2004, 03:45 PM

Also check your accelerator linkage, that could cause the slow problem (not getting full range of movement). Smoke could be bad fuel from the sounds of it.

JimmyL · #6 11-22-2004, 11:28 PM

Rleo had the bad fuel called a couple of months ago. But I went and got some other fuel and ran it in my purge bottle, and it smoked too. Can't remember if I emptied the screw-on filter at that time. How on earth does bad fuel cause that much smoke? What is bad about it? I had my injectors rebuilt to the tune of $300 bucks, and all they helped was to let me know what nailing sounds like, which it does now. I have a chance to buy a parts car that just had the injectors replaced. Kid said they came from Germany. If I get the car I'll see if they help. It's a non-turbo 300D, so I'll have an extra IP too.
My linkage is different than any other picture or car I have seen, and I haven't really messed too much with it yet. When the pedal is bottomed I can still push the IP lever down some, so will start there first.
How common is it to get fuel that bad? I used some of it in my tractor, and it didn't smoke in it, which adds to my confusion. If I could finally get passed the smoke thing, then I can get to so many other things, like no heat, grinding brake, leaking level control valve assy, no paint, etc.....
See what happens when you buy what should have been a parts car.

Jimmy

**edit** does the NO SMOKE during purge imply that my motor is reasonably OK (rings & valve seals for example) Note: I said imply, not prove...