I have a 1984 190D (2.2L) that about a month ago began periodically blowing an enormous amount of whitish gray smoke from the tailpipe. It would happen suddenly and the engine would rev a bit while it pumped a thick cloud of smoke into the path of oncoming cars. This would last 5 to 10 seconds and stop. I can't emphasize enough how heavy the smoke is.

It happened to a friend first. Then a few weeks later to my wife. When it finally did it when I was driving, it happened twice in the span of a single short (< 10 miles) trip. So - it's beginning to happen with more frequency (it's done it 3 or 4 more times to me).

Mileage is about 165,000. No overheating. Good oil pressure. It's an intermittent problem though it does seem to be smoking more than it did. Previously, it was not a particularly smoky diesel. It's running more roughly than it did before this happened but it's been a gradual deterioration.

It's at my mechanic's place now. He's timed the pump and it drives better but he said just when he thought he had it fixed, it did it again to him on a test drive.

Thoughts? Anyone else ever experience something like this?

Thanks in advance for any advice, commiseration, etc.

js

+1 for a great title.

Do you have any coolant loss?

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Sounds like it's getting some sort of additional fuel, since the engine reves during this event.

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RRGrassi


70's Southern Pacific #5608 Fairmont A-4 MOW car

13 VW JSW 2.0 TDI 193K, Tuned with DPF and EGR Delete.

91 W124 300D Turbo replaced, Pressure W/G actuator installed. 210K

90 Dodge D250 5.9 Cummins/5 speed. 400K

What's the smoke smell like?

I'm thinking bum injector or coolant.

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Thanks for the reply. As far as I know (i.e. I haven't checked....), there isn't any coolant loss. I'll ask my mechanic to check. He's been an MB mechanic for at least two decades, so he's usually a dead-on diagnostician. Additional data I didn't include earlier: He previously checked to see if the transmission vacuum modulator was the culprit but it checked out fine.

Thanks again,

js

I agree. I think that might be the reason the mechanic suspects an injection pump issue.

Of course, I'd like it to be something simple and cheap.....

js

I have to say - I don't have a great sense of smell, but it does smell different.

When you say "bum injector" do you mean an actual injector or the pump?

Thanks,

js

I don't want to leave everyone hanging with regards to the resolution of my car's newfound smokescreen-generating abilities. A bad valve on the side of the injection pump was allowing fuel to pool into the oil pan where it would get fed into the engine instead of oil at times.

New valve + newly timed pump = less smoke and much better running car. Unfortunately, I'll no longer be able to use it as a tool against West Nile Virus.

Thanks for those who weighed in - I hope this is another data point for someone in the future.

js

I hope the bearings, lifters, and cam did not get damaged.

__________________
RRGrassi


70's Southern Pacific #5608 Fairmont A-4 MOW car

13 VW JSW 2.0 TDI 193K, Tuned with DPF and EGR Delete.

91 W124 300D Turbo replaced, Pressure W/G actuator installed. 210K

90 Dodge D250 5.9 Cummins/5 speed. 400K