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Sept 30, 2012 13:44:16 GMT
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Hi guys, Mrs MiniDan has been using the Merc over the last few months for daily duties. In this time, she's been checking the oil but not the water. Last week it overheated while she was sat in traffic. Luckly, she wasn't too far from home so I went to her with a load of water. Put the water in and it started up fine. There was some white smoke coming from under the plastic cover on top of the engine. Since then it's needing water every three days. I drove it yesterday and after a few minute it didn't sound like right. Still run perfectly and hadn't lost any power, just didn't sound right. When I stopped to check the water (it was half full) there was a fair amount of white smoke coming from under the plastic cover again. Took the oil cap off to see if there was any mayo and loads of smoke was bellowing out. There is no smoke coming from the exhaust and the expansion tank doesn't have any oily residue/smell to it. Can anyboby offer any advice? To me, the white smoke from the rocker cover would suggest piston rings or valves. Thanks guys  |
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bortaf
Posted a lot
Posts: 4,549
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Sept 30, 2012 14:22:11 GMT
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was it still hot when you put the new cold water in ? if it's alloy headed you may have warped the head with the cold water? had it happen quite a lot back in the day, even jetwashing a hot engine can do it on certain motors.
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R.I.P photobucket
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Sept 30, 2012 14:26:29 GMT
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Dan,
Is this a c250 diesel - does it have a viscous fan coupling?
I know this may not help with the white smoke you're now getting but a worn viscous coupling could have been the initial cause of it overheating (i had this on my c180 petrol).
When the viscous fan went on mine it caused a dramatic overheating of the engine in traffic, so much so that it blew the seal around the header tank on top of the rad and the whole rad had to be replaced (as well as the coupling). Might be worth checking you don't have a water leak here if you have the rad type that has an integral header tank on top?
Pre the overheating, was the temp gauge ever showing over 90, even for a short time? If so, this is a good sign that the viscous coupling is knackered.
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was it still hot when you put the new cold water in ? if it's alloy headed you may have warped the head with the cold water? had it happen quite a lot back in the day, even jetwashing a hot engine can do it on certain motors. It had probably been about 30 minutes from when she turned the engine off to when I got there. IIRC, it was fairly cool to the touch. It was pretty cold and was raining. Dan, Is this a c250 diesel - does it have a viscous fan coupling? I know this may not help with the white smoke you're now getting but a worn viscous coupling could have been the initial cause of it overheating (i had this on my c180 petrol). When the viscous fan went on mine it caused a dramatic overheating of the engine in traffic, so much so that it blew the seal around the header tank on top of the rad and the whole rad had to be replaced (as well as the coupling). Might be worth checking you don't have a water leak here if you have the rad type that has an integral header tank on top? Pre the overheating, was the temp gauge ever showing over 90, even for a short time? If so, this is a good sign that the viscous coupling is knackered. Yes, it is a C250D. I asked Mrs MiniDan earlier and she said the temperature gauge was reading about 100 for about 5 minutes before she turned it off. The max on the gauge is 120 so she thought it was OK. |
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ChasR
RR Helper
motivation
Posts: 10,194
Club RR Member Number: 170
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When you say the plastic cover, are you referring to an engine cover?
If it is using water I would say that you have a failed water hose that is probably being concealed by the engine cover.
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stick a bottle of steel seal in the water tank in case you managed to blow the head gasket.
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ClassicResto.co.uk - Restoration and maintenance of classic cars - Wolverhampton.
2002 Mercedes E320CDI Estate
1998 Mercedes C240 Sport
1995 Mercedes SL500
1993 Mercedes 500 SEL
1993 Mercedes 500SL - Sold October 2022
1989 Mercedes 300 CE
1985 Mercedes 500 SEC
1985 Porsche 911 Carrera - Sold March 2022
1983 Porshe 944
1978 BMW 1602
1973 Mercedes 350SL
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When you say the plastic cover, are you referring to an engine cover? If it is using water I would say that you have a failed water hose that is probably being concealed by the engine cover. As shown here with the Mercedes logo on, dead centre.  (can't remember how many threads this engine picture has been in now  ) I'm not sure if there's any water pipes under there. Come to think of it, I'm not sure what is. I'm pretty sure the glowplugs and injectors are on the side. stick a bottle of steel seal in the water tank in case you managed to blow the head gasket. That was a last resort. Going to have a good look over it tomorrow. |
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ChasR
RR Helper
motivation
Posts: 10,194
Club RR Member Number: 170
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Check your heater hoses going from the matrix to the engine etc. if it is coming from the the rear of the plastic cover.
Did you say it is also smoking from the oil filler cap heavily as well? What colour?
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Did you say it is also smoking from the oil filler cap heavily as well? What colour? White. I drove it to my unit on Sunday evening, as the tax was out on the 1st, after pulling up the smoke was coming through the grille and continued smoking for about 5 minutes after I turned it off. |
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Smoke or steam??
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1988 Porsche 944
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Smoke. Looks like I've found the reason for this too. I started the Merc up earlier and after about 10 seconds smoke started coming from under the cover. I took the cover off the top of the engine and had a look. It's just the injectors and associated piping under there. Nothing out of the ordinary, until I came to the 5th injector (nearest the bulkhead). It is full of oil. The hole must be about 3-4" deep and it's full to the top. I know this isn't going to cause the water loss, but what's going on here? |
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Here's a picture of the oil. Sorry about the light.  |
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