1985 300sd 204,000 miles the car is extremely hard to start, when it finally starts lots of white smoke. Also the exhaust smells different. Engine is down on power. Whats up?

Check the glow plugs.

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83 SD

84 CD

not glow plugs

Injectors could be pissing streams.Or someone cracked head,or blown head gasket.Which is hard to do on them.

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1999 w140, quit voting to old, and to old to fight, a god damned veteran

My w123 had the same issue when I bought it. The turbo was bad and it was ingesting oil from the turbo into the intake. All the oil cruded up the injectors. It also took several hours and several cans of brake cleaner to clear all the oil out of the intake. The injectors had to be thoroughly cleaned and some replaced. Most of the smoke is gone now. I haven't been able to drive it since replacing the turbo because of a BAD knock. I fear it is a bad rod bearing.

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1982 Mercedes Benz 300SD w/ Greasecar Kit
2004 Ford F350 Dually
2004 Honda CBR1000RR
1992 Reynard Formula Continental

Hey Rocket,check you flywheel flex plate.Hopefully theres your knock,also check balancer bolt for tightness.

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1999 w140, quit voting to old, and to old to fight, a god damned veteran

Thanks Sinner, I'll do that.

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1982 Mercedes Benz 300SD w/ Greasecar Kit
2004 Ford F350 Dually
2004 Honda CBR1000RR
1992 Reynard Formula Continental

Alot of things get loose.I dreamed one night my turbo and intake manifold fell off on the interstate.I checked all bolts and got one full turn.Then did crank bolt a 1/4 turn.
Yes I dream Mercedes Diesels.

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1999 w140, quit voting to old, and to old to fight, a god damned veteran