[Guest (MBNZ)]

I have a 1985 190e 2.3 8V with 160K on it. It is a litle laking in power and starts a little hard, but otherwise runs and drives well. This morning, halfway to work (about 13 miles into my trip) the car started smoking at a stop light. Now it smokes whenever it is stopped and smokes when I take off. It does not smoke at all while the car is moving (atleast not that I can see). I tried letting off the gas and coasting for a bit then applying gas again and it does not smoke then either. This is a sudden development. Anybody have an idea. The car IS due for an oil change, could that be the cause? Any help will be much appreciated.

 

[Guest (MBNZ)]

Re: What color smoke?

If it happened so sudden,something gave up<br> so sudden too.White smoke=coolant entering <br> combustion chamber.Black smoke=unburnt gas.<br> Blueish smoke=burnt oil.Which one?

 

[Guest (MBNZ)]

Re: What color smoke?

Manny,<br> Initially I thought the smoke was blueish in color. It turns out it is white. Smells pretty pungent.. so I am thinking the head gasket crapped out on me. I am planning a compression check tomorrow and will order agasket to be fedex'd to me.

 

[Guest (MBNZ)]

This is a follow up to my first post... The car is definitely outputting WHITE smoke. Not as bad as I thought. Only visible while car is stopped.. and then it takes 5 - 10 seconds after stopping, before it shows up. <br>
<br>
I did a compression check and the readings are all 117psi give or take 5psi on a cold engine. I know this is low. I re-checked the compression after squirting oil into each cylinder.. no improvement in compression. I checked my compression guage with my air compressor.. it is off by about 5-7psi so that would put me around 123psi. Still not great.<br>
<br>
There is no oil in my coolant and there is no coolant in the oil. I am using coolant though. I have noticed no real decrease in power. My plugs all look like the car is running normal to a little rich.<br>
<br>
Before I go to the local independent shop and drop $100 an hour on diagnostics, is there anyone who has any suggestions? The car has 159K on it and is in otherwise great shape.<br>
<br>
Thanks for any help.

 

[Guest (MBNZ)]

Sounds like a head gasket to me. I've heard of'em going bad (hairline cracks)with less symptoms then yours . Mine is leaking a little oilon the passenger side, but there is absolutely noother symptoms.

 

[Guest (MBNZ)]

Rich, <br> My suggestion is,since no coolant in the oil,<br> and no oil in the coolant,why not monitor your<br> coolant level for a week to make sure that you<br> really need a head gasket.If your loosing coolant,<br> it does'nt mean its reaching your oil pan.Its <br> probably a small amount that being burn in the<br> comb.chamber.But definetly needs a Pro's <br> assistance.

 

[Guest (MBNZ)]

Thanks Manny & Piotr. I have contacted a local Mercedes mechanic who comes highly recommended. We talked about the results of my compression test and possible issues. I plan to do a coolant pressure test tomorrow and give him the results of that. We will take it step by step. Head gasket job with new valve guides and seals is around $1000. I would rather NOT spend the grand if I don't have to. I have a fair amount of mechanical experience - having rebuilt a few engines (mostly VW & Porsche). I will post an update after the pressure test.