White Smoke from a 300CE

[300ce1988]

hi, I have just joined having bought a 1988 1 owner w124 300 CE last week with 157,000 miles. after being stood overnight, the car omits a ploom of white smoke upon setting off. The smoke continues for 30 seconds-45 seconds in lesser quantities then dissapears.

during the 1st 10 seconds of driving the car runs slightly lumpy.

Howver, I started the car saturday morning and took it for a drive, no smoke and no lumpyness ???

The car drives absolutely fine at all other times, loads of power. Oil pressure is 3 while driving but drops to 1 3/4 when stopped in D (Tickover).

Also checked coolant for signs of oil-none there. No crap/white stuff on filler neck/cap.

Thanks,

Steve

I'm a bit of an ameture mechanic and anything more complicated than a VW Beetle stumps me usually!

If anyone can save me from being ripped off at the local garage I'd be eternally grateful! I want my 1st Merc to be a good experience!

 

[Silver_Star]

Are you loosing any coolant?

 

[300ce1988]

Are you loosing any coolant?

I have checked but cannot see any obvious signs yet. I only got the car on Thursday night and the coolant level looks ok.

 

[Blobcat]

Hi & Welcome,

As per above white smoke generally equals water. Head gasket or a crack in block due to lack of anti-freeze.

 

[star]

Sounds like headgasket to me, when the engine is turned off, pressure in the cooling system forces water into a cylinder so when you start the engine, one of the plugs is wet but soon dries out, hence the temporary misfire. Check for hydrocarbons in coolant.

 

[television]

If there are no bubbles on the dip stick, and nothing in the cap, I would wait and see, certain weather conditions can produce white smoke

 

[meanie]

Almost certainly head gasket failing, generally on no 6.
http://www.tool-supplies.co.uk/index.php/cPath/6_131
http://www.tool-supplies.co.uk/index.php/cPath/6_131
These are 2 good simple testers.

 

[300ce1988]

Oh dear!

Looks like I might be in for an expensive time then?

Just checked the engine and there seems to be a bit of an oil leak too. Can't see where from though but it's dripping onto the tray underneath.

Even though it only gives off white vapour on start up, after being stood overnight, does this still mean headgasket gone.

Definately no oil in coolant and oil cap seems ok.

Anyone know of a good Merc specialist in Merseyside!And how much will a new head gasket be roughly? Or is an engine transplant more viable?

Thanks for everyone's help so far!

 

[meanie]

The explanation from 'star' is spot on - try carefully removing the cap before turning the engine off, leave it off & start it the next day with it off. You may notice a difference.
A word of warning - quite a few owners have turned a blind eye to this over the years , as it was only an inconvenience for a short time from start up, resulting in one of 2 consequences.
1;it fails totally at a very inconvenient time....or
2;it doesn't fail, but continued useage over a prolonged period of time leads to washing of the bore resulting in the engine burning oil.