560 SL smokes on take-off when hot

[Steve560]

My 1986 560SL with 118,000 miles smokes briefly on take-off when hot. It's a whitish smoke and clears immediately once I accelerate. Is this something I should be worried about?

Also, there appears to be small transmission fluid leak. I'd like to avoid my dealer. What type of ATF is recommended for top offs?

I just bought the care a few months ago and aside from these problems -I'm very happy.

[bwheitman]

There is a vacuum line that is clear that goes into the manifold from the brake booster, is it dirty inside? If so you have a failed diaphram in your booster or vacuum pump, this will cause smoke, check all other vacuum operated devices, if not that it could be bad valves.
Good luck and congrats on the SL, it will take a while to work out the bugs, but overall a great car.
Brian

[bwheitman]

Also check the vacuum modulator to the transmission, those are known to fail and ATF can get into the intake.
B

[nobby]

Do you see the white smoke actually coming out of your tail pipe or does it just come out the back of the car when you accelerate away from a stop?
Could your trani fluid be leaking on to your hot exhaust?