I've been adding Diesel Boost to cut down on the exhaust smoke.
Are there better additives for this?
Or a solution?
Jason
I've been adding Diesel Boost to cut down on the exhaust smoke.
Are there better additives for this?
Or a solution?
Jason
Additives are not needed. Exhaust smoke is unburned fuel, although these old engines will smoke some during acceleration they should otherwise be relatively smoke free, especially as the sulfur is removed from the fuel.
Excess smoke can be due to low compression (unadjusted valves or low compression due to ring wear), a mis adjusted injection pump or just a dirty air filter element that restricts the air flow into the engine.
Sound to me like the ALDA may need adjusting (assuming the valves are properly adjusted).
Before doing anything, check that the pressure line from the exhaust manifold to the firewall mounted safety switch and on to the ALDA are clear - This line has a banjo filter at the manifold that often plugs up.
You should not need any fuel additives and only smoke you should get, is whn first starting up and if you floor it from the traffic lights!
Would adjusting the values or ALDA be a major undertaking?
Jason
Have others noticed that diesel fuel now smokes a lot less than a few years ago? I used to get heavy soot on the left rear trunk lid emblem on my 300SD. Now, while there is still some, it's greatly reduced. I'm assuming this is from the introduction of cleaner burning fuel.
Jason,
Adjusting valves is about 1 to 1.5 hr job for an equipped garage. For a DIY first time, it would take a bit longer. You need a set of offset wrenches plus one that will fit the power steering pulley nut in order to turn the engine over. You also need a set of feeler gauges. Istead of repeating what has already been written, try a google search - here is the result of one for Google Groups:
Make sure you ionstall a new valve cover gasket and make sure it is properly seated (It's a bit of a trick to get the cover back on without dislodging the gasket.
Adjusting the ALDA is a job that many garages either don't know about or won't do. It is very simple, but there is a small risk that you might damage the ALDA. Again, instead of repeating the method, here is the result of a Google Groups search:
If those links don't work try your own search.
If you want to get into working on your own MB, there are a few MB mailing lists that could be helpful if you join.
Good Luck
Less sulfur in the fuel.
I'm in California and NEVER have any soot anywhere, even on my bumper and I wash my car (maybe) once a month.
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