Trying to track down the source of almost constant blue smoke that just started on my 4 month old new to me 1991 300D. Just look at the crap in the intake manifold and cross over pipe. Am I on the right track that this is the source? Car runs very well with plenty of power. Thanks in advance.

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Greg

Current
2005 E320 CDI (50k) W211 with OM648
1999 E300D Turbo (133k) W210 with OM606.962
1997 E300D NA (170k) W210 with OM606.912
1991 300D 2.5 Turbo (199k) W124 with OM602
1990 300D 2.5 Turbo (170k) W124 with OM602

Doubt thats the cause but wouldn't hurt to clean it.

Remove the turbo air intake at the turbo and see how much oil if any is present.

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92 e300d2.5t
01 e320
05 cdi
85 chev c10

Here’s a picture of turbo air intake.

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__________________
Greg

Current
2005 E320 CDI (50k) W211 with OM648
1999 E300D Turbo (133k) W210 with OM606.962
1997 E300D NA (170k) W210 with OM606.912
1991 300D 2.5 Turbo (199k) W124 with OM602
1990 300D 2.5 Turbo (170k) W124 with OM602

Looks fairly normal. Does it use oil?

Dry nice, then that oil in the intake must be from the trubo seals. Maybe run it with the cross over pipe off try to catch the oil out of the turbo.

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92 e300d2.5t
01 e320
05 cdi
85 chev c10

I am slowly coming to the realization that I am probably dealing with a head gasket failure in the #1 cylinder. In removing more parts I noticed a new oil leak dripping oil onto the thermostat housing. I know it wasn’t there just a few weeks ago when I replaced the thermostat. Time to tear things down and replace the head gasket with the improved design gasket. Wish me luck! Thanks!

__________________
Greg

Current
2005 E320 CDI (50k) W211 with OM648
1999 E300D Turbo (133k) W210 with OM606.962
1997 E300D NA (170k) W210 with OM606.912
1991 300D 2.5 Turbo (199k) W124 with OM602
1990 300D 2.5 Turbo (170k) W124 with OM602

Might as well have the head looked at in a machine shop

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1998 Ford Escort ZX2 5 speed - 279,000 miles My Daily

1992 Mercedes 300D 2.5 202,000 - Pure junk
2000 Mercedes E320 Black - 136,000 miles - Needs repair

Don't forget to grease the screw and threads on the spring compressor.

Remove the expansion joint on the turbo outlet and look inside. If the Carbon looks shiny and wet oil is burning in there and it may be the Turbo Charger seal.
If you remove the Turbocharger and the inside of the exhaust manifold looks shiny and wet the Oil is likely not coming from the turbo.

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84 300D, 82 Volvo 244Gl Diesel

Update on my blue smoke situation. It was the head gasket at the number 1 cylinder. Pictures are below.

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__________________
Greg

Current
2005 E320 CDI (50k) W211 with OM648
1999 E300D Turbo (133k) W210 with OM606.962
1997 E300D NA (170k) W210 with OM606.912
1991 300D 2.5 Turbo (199k) W124 with OM602
1990 300D 2.5 Turbo (170k) W124 with OM602

Yep, definitely a bad gasket.......surprised it wasn't losing compression and running rough.

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2012 Mercedes ML350 Bluetec 91K (hers)
2005 Corvette 55K (fun car)
2002 VW Jetta TDI 231K (mine)
1998 Volvo S70 T5 Turbo 196K (kids)
1994 Ford F150 4WD 249K (firewood hauler)
1983 Mercedes 300D 376K (diesel commuter)

Ran fine, just a little louder and a lot of smoke. Running perfect now post-fix with new glow plugs too while in there.

__________________
Greg

Current
2005 E320 CDI (50k) W211 with OM648
1999 E300D Turbo (133k) W210 with OM606.962
1997 E300D NA (170k) W210 with OM606.912
1991 300D 2.5 Turbo (199k) W124 with OM602
1990 300D 2.5 Turbo (170k) W124 with OM602

Nice! Good job, and good catch finding it!

__________________
2012 Mercedes ML350 Bluetec 91K (hers)
2005 Corvette 55K (fun car)
2002 VW Jetta TDI 231K (mine)
1998 Volvo S70 T5 Turbo 196K (kids)
1994 Ford F150 4WD 249K (firewood hauler)
1983 Mercedes 300D 376K (diesel commuter)