As usual a complex problem!!! 560SL 1988

[Tom McMenamin]

I am going to try and recite this exactly as it happened and hopefully get some feed back from someone.

I have a 1988 560SL with 210,000 miles. I have had the car since 75,000 miles. I recently had a problem which I posted here with a Radiator leaking about a quart of A/F per 2 weeks. Found a leak in the seam of the Radiator and replaced the radiator.

Following this replacement at the same time, I was having a miss at low speed and at idle. Only the trained ear could tell it but it was there. I replaced the passenger side injectors as they were found to be bad or going bad. Following these repairs, two days after, I started the car and had a tremendous amount of White smoke emanating from exhaust.

The speculation here was either a bad Transmission diaphragm or a Cam oiler. Took the car back to mechanic. Despite all of the smoking the car ran terrific. It was decided that the Smoke issue was the diaphragm. Raplaced it. Following replacement every 2nd or 3rd start I get the White Smoke that eventually goes away after a couple miles. So, problem still exists with smoke.

Yesterday after the car sat for 2 days, I turned the key and I heard a loud noise from the front of the car. It was like you through a stone at a metal plate at about 40mph. Shut car down, tried to start. Nothing. Absolutely nothing. Turned it off and attempted another start. Car started and ran as smooth as glass. Car continues to run fine but something is definetely wrong.
I replaced the chain at 120.00 miles long with guides etc.

Any thoughts?

[JimFreeh]

I would suspect white smoke as either coolant or trans fluid.

Monitoring the respective levels would show which was being consumed.

I'd suggest disconnecting the vacuum line to the trans modulator and see if that stops the smoke. Otherwise, it points to a coolant leak, which is more dire.

Jim

[SPDMETL]

Head gasket ? Valve seals ? Spectral infestation ?