Hi all,

When I'm driving at night, I notice some light colored smoke in the headlight beams of the car behind me. I can't see it during the day. Is this normal? I just changed my airfilter, which was pretty dirty, so that may solve it.

Thanks,
Jack

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Jack
1984 300SD. 115k miles.

Normal. Put it to the floor and you should see a lot more.

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1977 300d 70k--sold 08
1985 300TD 185k+
1984 307d 126k--sold 8/03
1985 409d 65k--sold 06
1984 300SD 315k--daughter's car
1979 300SD 122k--sold 2/11
1999 Fuso FG Expedition Camper
1993 GMC Sierra 6.5 TD 4x4
1982 Bluebird Wanderlodge CAT 3208--Sold 2/13

Yep, and if the car behind has those bluish tinted HID headlights, the smoke is even more visible.

Rgds,
Chris W.
'95 E300D, 358K

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Objects in closer are mirror than they appear.

Wait till it's a cold night. I was out last night in -18C and the "smoke" trail I left looked massive in the lights of the following vehicle.

The old girl started just fine

it's just the particulates in the exhaust.

I have to take off on the street I leave work on... no other option than flooring it with some pretty fast traffic. But flooring it does two things: 1. Get me moving, 2. Slows everyone else behind me down.

Love it. In Texas, the only thing my diesel is missing is a pair of huge 8" stacks coming up through the back seat & roof...

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'85 300TD "Puff The Magic Wagon" - Rolling Resto
'19 Mazda CX-9 Signature - Wife's sled
'21 Morgan 3-Wheeler P101 Edition
'95 E300d - SOLD
'84 300TD "Brown Betty" - Miss this one
'81 240D "China Baby" - Farm grocery getter

So true. And I definitely used to think that something was wrong with my car when I saw that. But then I remembered, I drive a non-catalyst turbo diesel. People need to just stop tailgating one another, and flooring a diesel helps them remember to back the eff off.

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Never be ashamed to ask for help.

1985 300D
1987 300SDL
1970 Jaguar E-Type OTS
2002 Dodge Intrepid (Traded In)
2011 Ford Crown Victoria

As others have stated smoke in the headlights is normal. As long as you aren't coughing out big cloud during the day time then all is well.

Amen brother. Keeps them tailgaters off my arse. I know my 240 is slow, tailgating me isn't going to make the car go faster, but the smoke cloud when I stomp the pedal will make them back off. I figure the higher cost of diesel is tailgater insurance in the form of smoke clouds.

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When you see the car behind you putting its wipers & washers on to clean the oil drops off their screen, you know you have a problem !!

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Grumpy Old Diesel Owners Club group

I no longer question authority, I annoy authority. More effect, less effort....

1967 230-6 auto parts car. rust bucket.
1980 300D now parts car 800k miles
1984 300D 500k miles
1987 250td 160k miles English import
2001 jeep turbo diesel 130k miles
1998 jeep tdi ~ followed me home. Needs a turbo.
1968 Ford F750 truck. 6-354 diesel conversion.
Other toys ~J.D.,Cat & GM ~ mainly earth moving

Ah, great to hear. I was used to the black stuff from my old tuned powerstroke, but the lighter color had me a bit curious.
Thanks all

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Jack
1984 300SD. 115k miles.

Here is a link to the Mosquito Fogger, or tail gater eliminator.

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/diesel-discussion/134404-diesel-mosquito-fogging-west-nile-virus.html

Use of this could be a ticket getter.

Charlie

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there were three HP ratings on the OM616...

1) Not much power
2) Even less power
3) Not nearly enough power!! 240D w/auto

Anyone that thinks a 240D is slow drives too fast.

80 240D Naturally Exasperated, 4-Spd 388k DD 150mph spedo 3:58 Diff

We are advised to NOT judge ALL Muslims by the actions of a few lunatics, but we are encouraged to judge ALL gun owners by the actions of a few lunatics. Funny how that works

No, I disagree! Put it to the floor and you wont see the car behind at all.

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Beagle