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Question about cloud of smoke at cold start

Discussion in 'Technical Q&A' started by Jedi, Aug 22, 2009.

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  1. Jedi

    Jedi Moderator
    Moderator Lifetime Rossa Owner

    Mar 18, 2008
    32,331
    Seattle Area
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    Dave
    #1 Jedi, Aug 22, 2009
    Hi - Mercedes question, not my F-car. But I figure that the folks in this section
    will be able to help out.

    I have a 2008 Mercedes E350 with only 20,000 miles. I have a service appointment
    Monday morning. For the last 6 months, once in a while (not every time) after the
    car has been sitting for a week (like when I'm out of town), when I start it there's
    a LARGE cloud of bluish smoke. To me, it surely sounds like oil leaking via the
    valve guides.

    I really want to be proactive for my service visit - and I doubt the car will do this
    while being watched.

    Is there a test (leakdown perhaps?) that will indicate such a problem that I can
    'recommend/demand' of my service agent? I really don't want to get out of warranty
    in a few years THEN find out my valve guides are shot.

    Any advice on what to say to them Monday?

    Thanks for any tips....

    Jedi
     
  2. tatcat

    tatcat F1 World Champ
    Owner Silver Subscribed

    Sep 3, 2001
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    panama city beach FL
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    rick c
    #2 tatcat, Aug 22, 2009
    sounds like the valve guide seals.
     
  3. Jedi

    Jedi Moderator
    Moderator Lifetime Rossa Owner

    Mar 18, 2008
    32,331
    Seattle Area
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    Dave
    #3 Jedi, Aug 22, 2009
    That's my thought too. But is there a concrete 'test' for that? i want to be
    proactive when I show up - they'll just blow me off otherwise.

    Jedi
     
  4. First Ferrari

    First Ferrari Formula Junior

    Jun 18, 2005
    523
    Mahtomedi,MN
    Full Name:
    Christopher Reeves
    #4 First Ferrari, Aug 23, 2009
    I have a 2008 CLK350 and mine does the same thing at times, not very often but it has done it in the past. I don't drive it much but on cold starts it has a knock also like low oil straving. My dealer which I feel is very good is monitoring the situation but since it has been to the shop it hasn't done it again. I think they suffer from cold start oil issues and while I don't keep me cars long it doesn't bother me as the car will be replaced in a few 6 months after I won't be able to enjoy the top down weather that I bought it for.

    I would document the issue well incase it pops up later after warranty, I think they have an issue but I think it is too early to prove it my car have about 11K on it.
     
  5. Jedi

    Jedi Moderator
    Moderator Lifetime Rossa Owner

    Mar 18, 2008
    32,331
    Seattle Area
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    Dave
    #5 Jedi, Aug 24, 2009
    So I just picked the E350 up - they said that the ECU reported both the Left and Right
    "exhaust cam adjustment solenoid" were bad, and replaced. Any body have any clue
    what that would be in an E350? They also reported an update to ECU firmware that
    supposedly addresses the smoking issue.... sounds like BS to me, but that's what they
    reported on the warranty diagnostic/repair report. I still contend a car with only
    20k miles (ok, a mass produced car) that's a year old shouldn't be blowing oil past
    the valve seals :) Or that a software tweak would 'fix it'.

    Just have to wait and see if there's any change.

    Jedi
     
  6. It's Ross

    It's Ross Formula 3

    Jul 30, 2007
    2,028
    Barrington, Ill. USA
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    Ross
    #6 It's Ross, Aug 30, 2009
    Last edited: Aug 30, 2009
    A test you can do for worn valve guides is to abrubtly lift off the throttle at fairly high revs. The engine braking creates a high vacuum that will pull oil past worn guides and cause the exhaust to smoke.
    With an automatic trans you will need to do this in a manner which allows the torque converter to remain engaged. I'm guessing a modern MB has some sort of "sport" mode for the autobox.
    You could have a faulty PCV system also. I doubt valve guides could be intermittant.
    Are you parking on an incline when it happens?
     
  7. tazandjan

    tazandjan Three Time F1 World Champ
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    Terry H Phillips
    #7 tazandjan, Aug 31, 2009
    There seems to be fairly common failure in DOHC Mercedes engines on the VVT solenoids. My wife's GL 550 with 10K miles recently had a failure, which set off the CEL. No smoke, though, that I noticed.

    If I were you, I would insist on a leakdown check, which shows a problem if one exists.The dealer can then isolate the problem to the rings by squirting oil into the cylinder to see if it increases pressure indicating a ring problem, or no increase indicating a valve stem/seal problem.

    Taz
    Terry Phillips
     

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