W124 Burning Oil Far From Home...Help! - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

alexnatt · #1 05-30-2004, 09:48 AM

Just drove from salt lake to Los Angeles overnight in my 1988 300TE with 212K. On the way the car was performing beautifully however when i was using the cruise control i noticed significant amounts of white smoke coming out of the exhaust, especially when I disengaged it. Upon stopping I found oil on the rear lift gate. Oil pressure never dropped off 3 at 75-80 mph and engine temp was constant in mid 80s. I did burn about 1/2 a quart. I just had my head gasket and timing chain replaced no more than 500 miles ago. Any suggestions before I head back to salt lake on monday would be appreciated. I would love to be able to use the cruise again.

stevebfl · #2 05-30-2004, 10:38 AM

I'm guessing that you are leaking the oil. Just be sure to keep up with it and if I'm right the smoke is coming from oil burning from the exhaust. It could be a fire hazzard.

The other alternative ain't so nice. If you have liquid oil coming from the tailpipe you shouldn't be driving it. If that is the case I imagine you dropped a guide or burned a piston.

alexnatt · #3 05-30-2004, 11:16 AM

Thanks for the reply. I only noticed the smoke when i used the cruise control. When I stopped using it there was no longer any oil on the liftgate and certainly no oil dripping from the tailpipe. Also I didnt burn any (that i could see on the dipstick) in the last 300 miles. Also my coolant is clear.

stevebfl · #4 05-30-2004, 12:25 PM

"I did burn about 1/2 a quart."

"Also I didnt burn any (that i could see on the dipstick) in the last 300 miles."

Did I ever tell you how much easier it is to understand cars than it is people.

alexnatt · #5 05-30-2004, 01:54 PM

total trip is about 700. i noticed the white smoke while using the cruise in the first 300 to 400 miles. after that i didnt use the cruise and didnt notice any appreciable oil burn. hope that helps.

alexnatt · #6 05-30-2004, 01:57 PM

also this morning i noticed a very small puddle of oil on the driveway. not much more than a few drops really.

suginami · #7 05-30-2004, 04:13 PM

Yes, if I read your posts correctly, you have no oil in your coolant and you have a considerable external oil leak.

I'd agree with Stevebfl that it appears to be leaking in a sufficient quantity to cover your exhaust manifold / tailpipe with oil, and the oil is being burned off as you drive.

Oil leaks from the head gasket are not uncommon on M103 engines. It sounds like you need a new head gasket. I'd also recommend replacing your valve guides, as the head needs to be removed to replace them. Valve seals should be replaced, too, although the head doesn't need to be removed do seals.

Bzoo · #8 05-30-2004, 04:27 PM

be patient...someone usually will sincerely help you puzzle out the problem.

haasman · #9 05-30-2004, 05:50 PM

alexnatt

Sounds like the head gasket repair didn't take. There obvious questions here, such as: was it a Mercedes OEM gasket etc ....

-Have you lost any coolant? White smoke is associated with water.

-Oil all over the back of your car indicates a gross leak, spewing all over everything. Have you looked under your car?

I would take it back and have the shop look at it.

Make sure they have used only a Mercedes head gasket and that the valve cover gasket was in good condition.

Keep us posted,

Haasman

alexnatt · #10 05-30-2004, 07:15 PM

If i did lose any coolant it was a very small amount. It seems to be well within normal operating parameters. Oil level has remained constant in around town driving conditions. I will have the head redone as soon as i get home. The question is, should I drive the 700 miles back with the car in its current condition?

haasman · #11 05-30-2004, 08:01 PM

In my opinion if the engine is not out of oil or coolant, other than polluting, drive it.

Watch the engine temps and oil pressure of course.

Haasman

Greg in Oz · #12 05-30-2004, 08:08 PM

You need to determine whether the leak is external and burning on the hot exhaust and being drawn up onto the back of the car, or internal and being (partially) burned in the engine. Wagons create an area of low air pressure at the rear which will draw liquid up onto the tailgate. I remember almost six years ago when we purchased our used 300TE. The dealer had obviously decided to top up (overfill) the transmission. We embarked on a highway drive to show our purchase to my parents. Halfway there the transmission overflowed spilling fluid onto the hot exhaust and covering the whole tailgate (including window) with red fluid. I had to drain a considerable amount to bring the level back to where it should be. Getting back to yours. If the leak is external you are probably OK (being aware of any fire risk as Steve mentioned and keep an eye on fluid levels). If the leak is internal you have a bigger problem. That volume of oil down the exhaust will probably destroy the catalytic convertor not to mention any other engine problems it could cause. Is there oil over the underside of the car or is it oily inside the tail pipe? How do the spark plugs look? How well is the engine running?

alexnatt · #13 05-31-2004, 01:09 AM

The engine seems to be running perfectly. Good power, maybe a bit rough(er) starting than usual. I am resigned to attempting the drive as I can count on spending $1000 here in LA for the head work. If I get back to salt lake successfuly my mechanic there will warranty the head work he did in early may. Thanks for all your support. I will report back as soon as I can.

stevebfl · #14 05-31-2004, 09:15 AM

There are lots of places to leak oil. While warranting a previous repair would be a nice thing, I always like to point out that previous repair analysis is poor diagnostics.

My approach no matter who is responsible is to find the source of the problem. i always chuckle at the calls where the customer starts by telling me the car is doing the same thing it was last time. Yea it is broke. To the person behind the wheel being broke looks the same. They proceed to waste ten minutes telling me about their last repair.

History does have value to dislodge underlieing causes, but what is wrong now will not be any easier to diagnose by narrowing ones quest in a non technical discussion. Another similarly funny discussion is where I get told what to check because that is what they can afford, barrel of laughs. Problems are where you find them! Convenience or responsibility form no usefull part in diagnostics.

My suggestion would be to have the problem professionally evaluated to be sure you don't cause further damage to non warranteed concerns by the long drive home.

alexnatt · #15 05-31-2004, 08:06 PM

Made it home safe. Even wounded, the car is a dream. Off to Werners Mercedes tomorrow for the evaluation.