WHITE SMOKE OUT OF EXHAUST WHEN ENGINE IDLING

[Julieoscar]

Hi i posted here a few months ago about my continuous issues with a 2016 c 220 . Id had engine warning lights on repeat ever since I bought it and had several sensors repeatedly changed . Anyway after some useful info from this site I had the turbo reconditioned and it worked a treat . For 7 weeks I had a drivable reliable car that changed gear correctly and even accelerated normally .
However Ive now got thick white smoke coming out of the exhaust , it only happens when the engine is idling and means there is some sort of leak of oil it could be the turbo , the pistons or something else ? I cant keep throwing money at it as its costing me a fortune . Ideally I would like to get rid of it but Im not sure how I go about selling it . its in good condition , immaculate interior , and done only 29000 miles in 7 years mainly because its been out of action so many times and I couldn't rely on it for long journey's .

My Mercedes dealership said Ive just been unlucky . I would really like my luck to change by getting shot of it but dont know how or where to sell it .or how much to sell it for . If it didnt have the smoke issue it would be worth about £15.000 . I cant drive it as you smoke out the whole road if you get stuck in traffic and probably poison pedestrians . Any suggestions gratefully received Thanks Julie

 

[mioba]

Where are you located. A good MB indy could help.

Could be a dripping injector.

 

[Julieoscar]

Continuing this saga I have been to a German car specialist who doesn't want to touch the car mainly because of its history and because it has a reconditioned turbo , they would never use a recon turbo apparently . He was helpful in that he said it was probably the turbo causing the oil leak rather than piston seals given its low mileage . Although it pains me greatly that ive spent thousands both purchase price of £25k plus all the money on repairs the car has not been driveable for the majority of the time Ive had it . I have to cut my losses and try to sell it for whatever I can get . Its a 2016 metallic grey c200 diesel , 29000 miles . If a mechanic had it they could potentially sort out the issues , it could be something simple or it could need a new turbo . Does anyone have any ideas how I could sell it and for how much , it cant be driven because of the exhaust smoke when you are stationary .
My experience with mercedes ,( my Cambridge dealer told me Ive just been unlucky has put me off ever buying another one this was my third mercedes ) Im downgrading to my husbands ford van and a bike . any suggestions welcome thanks

 

[s5tuart]

Continuing this saga I have been to a German car specialist who doesn't want to touch the car mainly because of its history and because it has a reconditioned turbo , they would never use a recon turbo apparently . He was helpful in that he said it was probably the turbo causing the oil leak rather than piston seals given its low mileage . Although it pains me greatly that ive spent thousands both purchase price of £25k plus all the money on repairs the car has not been driveable for the majority of the time Ive had it . I have to cut my losses and try to sell it for whatever I can get . Its a 2016 metallic grey c200 diesel , 29000 miles . If a mechanic had it they could potentially sort out the issues , it could be something simple or it could need a new turbo . Does anyone have any ideas how I could sell it and for how much , it cant be driven because of the exhaust smoke when you are stationary .
My experience with mercedes ,( my Cambridge dealer told me Ive just been unlucky has put me off ever buying another one this was my third mercedes ) Im downgrading to my husbands ford van and a bike . any suggestions welcome thanks

There is a classified section on this forum.
Facing that Autotrader and/or eBay might be good to sell it on.

 

[Binnedit]

You will get a much better return, even if you have to sell at a loss if you can get it fixed & have it running, even if it needs a new turbo.

Have you any of the forum recommended independent guys near you?

 

[Julieoscar]

I paid the finance off with mercedes and when took it to an independent garage 3 times , the last time was to sort out the turbo . They only agreed to do it because I got some advise from this group , They won't want to see the car again they were reluctant in the first place . I could get a new turbo but I really cant bring myself to spend another penny on it . im just going to sit on ifor a while until Ive got over the trauma
Thanks for the advise

 

[SL63 Mark]

I am no expert, but it really does sound as though the replacement turbo has blown, white smoke is a well known indication of a blown turbo.

Just watch F1 from the 1980s turbo era, or my R5 turbo when that went, the oil blows straight into the cylinder, out the exhaust, and creates an incredible smoke screen. It will completely hide cars behind, so is not good to drive.

Which part of the country are you in, forum members will recommend a good independent in your area. Or take it back to the people who fitted the reconditioned turbo,

 

[ajlsl600]

If its blown turbo u should be able to remove inlet and or outlet pipes and see oil. That will tell you. Be sure its not diesel diesel =injector, injection prob oil= turbo or unlikely but possible, shot rings or guides

 

[peterws1957]

I paid the finance off with mercedes and when took it to an independent garage 3 times , the last time was to sort out the turbo . They only agreed to do it because I got some advise from this group , They won't want to see the car again they were reluctant in the first place . I could get a new turbo but I really cant bring myself to spend another penny on it . im just going to sit on ifor a while until Ive got over the trauma
Thanks for the advise

It doesn't sound to me that your independent garage is on the ball at all. As you suggested, I'd be sitting on it for a while in your position( but not too long!). Then speak to one of our trusted MB independents recommended on this forum, (say where you live) who will be able to suggest a way forward. Trying to sell as it is will be hard and is bound to lose you a load more money.

 

[V6Matty]

If your near Cambridge then give Welwyn Merx a call, they will look and give you a proper answer which your current Indy doesn’t seem to be able to give you

 

[Larkone]

or Alex Crow in Stowmarket - usefully he is right next to the station for the train back and forth to Cambridge.
5E, Stowupland Rd, Stowmarket, Suffolk England, IP14 5AG

01449 258185

Comes highly recommended

 

[Julieoscar]

If your near Cambridge then give Welwyn Merx a call, they will look and give you a proper answer which your current Indy doesn’t seem to be able to give you

thanks for that Ive not heard of them but Ill give them a call

 

[Julieoscar]

I am no expert, but it really does sound as though the replacement turbo has blown, white smoke is a well known indication of a blown turbo.

Just watch F1 from the 1980s turbo era, or my R5 turbo when that went, the oil blows straight into the cylinder, out the exhaust, and creates an incredible smoke screen. It will completely hide cars behind, so is not good to drive.

Which part of the country are you in, forum members will recommend a good independent in your area. Or take it back to the people who fitted the reconditioned turbo,

You arent wrong , I stopped at a roundabout next thing there was so much smoke pouring out the exhaust the car behind me reversed out of the way , I thought I was on fire , drove it to the side ready to evacuate and it stopped

 

[bembo449]

you dont say when the turbo was reconditioned , most are or should be under warranty ?

 

[Julieoscar]

you dont say when the turbo was reconditioned , most are or should be under warranty ?

It lasted a month and 3 days or 52 miles

 

[mioba]

Then take the turbo back.
Who refitted the turbo.
Its imperative to replace feed and return pipes on a turbo and to prime turbo before use.
If you don't prime them they are toast straight away.
Seems like a leak on exhaust side of turbo

 

[Julieoscar]

Then take the turbo back.
Who refitted the turbo.
Its imperative to replace feed and return pipes on a turbo and to prime turbo before use.
If you don't prime them they are toast straight away.
Seems like a leak on exhaust side of turbo

Thank you this is all helpful information

 

[bembo449]

It lasted a month and 3 days or 52 miles

should have a minimum of 12 months warranty on it

 

[Julieoscar]

Hi i posted here a few months ago about my continuous issues with a 2016 c 220 . Id had engine warning lights on repeat ever since I bought it and had several sensors repeatedly changed . Anyway after some useful info from this site I had the turbo reconditioned and it worked a treat . For 7 weeks I had a drivable reliable car that changed gear correctly and even accelerated normally .
However Ive now got thick white smoke coming out of the exhaust , it only happens when the engine is idling and means there is some sort of leak of oil it could be the turbo , the pistons or something else ? I cant keep throwing money at it as its costing me a fortune . Ideally I would like to get rid of it but Im not sure how I go about selling it . its in good condition , immaculate interior , and done only 29000 miles in 7 years mainly because its been out of action so many times and I couldn't rely on it for long journey's .

My Mercedes dealership said Ive just been unlucky . I would really like my luck to change by getting shot of it but dont know how or where to sell it .or how much to sell it for . If it didnt have the smoke issue it would be worth about £15.000 . I cant drive it as you smoke out the whole road if you get stuck in traffic and probably poison pedestrians . Any suggestions gratefully received Thanks Julie

I was looking on here for adblue advise and realised I hadnt updated my problem from Feb . Although i had just had a refurbished turbo back in January after months of issues the thick smoke suddenly vanished . The garage thinks it was contaminated diesel .from Sainsburys. Ive been driving it for 7 months with no issues ( apart from the adblue but I think I need to add the pigs wee ) I dont love it but Im beginning to think its reliable . Thanks for all your help