I have an '87 300TD Wagon. Recently when I start the car from a cold start I get an enormous cloud of white smoke. After about 15 seconds it goes away and the car seems to run fine. I have recently run a few tanks of biodiesel in the car (B100). This seems to be when this problem started. Any ideas?

un burned fuel .. when my battery died and i tried cranking it over it wouldnt turn it would just do some slow cranks and fuel was spurting into the cylinder.. but when i got the new battery in i started it up a big puff of white smoke came out

Hmm, I wonder where the unburned fuel is coming from in my case? I have had this cloud of smoke consistently for the past 3-4 weeks.

id wait til someone of high knowledge diagnoses.. mine might be incorrect. use the search function you might be able to find something

classic case of inoperable glow plug(s).

also with a 603, it might just need an extra 5 or ten seconds of glow after the light goes off...just wait without doing anything else after the light goes off.

try the second thing first.

tom w

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[SIGPIC] Diesel loving autocrossing grandpa Architect. 08 Dodge 3/4 ton with Cummins & six speed; I have had about 35 benzes. I have a 39 Studebaker Coupe Express pickup in which I have had installed a 617 turbo and a five speed manual.[SIGPIC]

..I also have a 427 Cobra replica with an aluminum chassis.

Actually the glow plug light hasn't even been coming on recently; i've jus waited 5 seconds or so and started. I'll try counting to 15. Thanks! Jon

you prob have some dead ones.

tom w

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[SIGPIC] Diesel loving autocrossing grandpa Architect. 08 Dodge 3/4 ton with Cummins & six speed; I have had about 35 benzes. I have a 39 Studebaker Coupe Express pickup in which I have had installed a 617 turbo and a five speed manual.[SIGPIC]

..I also have a 427 Cobra replica with an aluminum chassis.

How do I determine which ones are dead? Are they fairly easy to change on the 603?

check your turbo....take your air horn off, and tear it apart...inspect it, sometimes if the bearing is out a turbine blade can drag the cover, this produces white smoke, especially when its cold, or very hot...

the gps on a 603, but i understand it is best to remove the intake manifold to do it. so i would have six on hand. then before chenging them wholesale i would check the ones i take out because if you have another problem causing the loss of operation the new plugs wont help.

i believe that there is a fuse strip that can be checked inside the glow plug timer. again, i am not sure of this. it is so in an older mb but might not apply to the 124.

tom w

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[SIGPIC] Diesel loving autocrossing grandpa Architect. 08 Dodge 3/4 ton with Cummins & six speed; I have had about 35 benzes. I have a 39 Studebaker Coupe Express pickup in which I have had installed a 617 turbo and a five speed manual.[SIGPIC]

..I also have a 427 Cobra replica with an aluminum chassis.

My SDL has the same fuse strip in the GP relay, I'd check that out first if you light isn't lighting up. Then you need to test the GPs, should be 1.2ohm or less on each plug cold.

A few of mine came out broken even! Mine starts so much better with six fresh plugs. Be certain to use anti-seize on the threads into the head.

Also, I removed the intake manifold to make my life easier. When removing the IM, it's also perfect time to crank the ALDA up for more off a dead stop zip.

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I'm not a doctor, but I'll have a look.

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