Hi Guys,

Here in Colorado we have emissions testing (opacity) yearly with 35% the upper range. Last year with a tired motor the results were in the 6-7% range. This year after a head gasket replacement, new valve seals and guides the results are in the 45-55% range.

I am thinking some adjustment is necessary to "lean" the fuel consumption. Would timing or some other adjustment affect opacity? The car runs great with very little smoke so I am surprised at these results.

Any suggestions?

__________________
2001 E320
1991 350SD 265,000 - SOLD
2000 VW Beetle 1.8Turbo - restored
1997 E320 - SOLD
1988 190E - SOLD
1969 Mustang - SOLD

Is it black smoke? 50% opacity is some THICK, black smoke.

PM me, I might be able to help you with it this weekend.

Did you or a shop do the headgasket job? Did you have the IP off during the repairs and did you re-do the IP timing after the chain was back in place?

Does the engine feel sluggish to acclerate/revv (Without a load)?

Where did you test at?

You can see the scale of opacity. Colorado limit is 20%.

Attached Thumbnails

 

Wow, 45-55% is serious smoke. What does it look like when you drive? My 300D, which seems to have a "normal" amount of smoke, passed the Colorado test with about 1%. Is your cam timing or IP timing way off?

Try using biodiesel to pass your test. You should pass with flying colors.

Gary T

'98 E300
'87 300TD

i second that.

__________________
Current:
05 E320 CDI
07 GL320 CDI
08 Sprinter
05 Dodge Cummins
01 Dodge Cummins

Previous
2004 E55 AMG
2002 C32 AMG (#2)
1995 E300
1978 300D
1987 300D
2002 C32 AMG(blown motor :[
1981 300SD
1983 300SD
1987 300SDL
2002 Jetta TDI
1996 S420
1995 S500
1993 190E 2.6
1992 190E 2.3
1985 190E 2.3 5-Speed

The temptation is to use a fuel additive to try and pass the test which I may have to try but it seems I need to confirm the timing and setup is correct first.

I had a shop replace the head gasket because I suspected other work would needed to be done at 204K miles and sure enough, the valve seals, guides and head resurfacing was also done. I don't recall whether the IP was off during the repair but it probably was so maybe the timing wasn't reset correctly although the motor seems to run fine. I'm not tracking fuel mileage so I guess it could be off substantially and still run well.

The inspection station I used was the same station used last year when it tested at 6-7% so I doubt the test process is a problem. With the opacity percentages so high, I would expect it to be smoking like train which just isn't the case so I guess its back to the shop to have them recheck their work.

__________________
2001 E320
1991 350SD 265,000 - SOLD
2000 VW Beetle 1.8Turbo - restored
1997 E320 - SOLD
1988 190E - SOLD
1969 Mustang - SOLD