1986 Mercedes Benz 300d White smoke at start, loss of power

ARTISAN

MEMBER
1986 MERCEDES BENZ 300D
6 CYL
2WD
AUTOMATIC
420,000 MILES

I had all injectors tested twice and all are good. It start with a shake and white smoke after few minutes white smoke settles down, but has loss of power. Turbo boost works perfect. I does not loose motor oil and coolant. All glow plugs are good, no slap in timing chain, new head gasket set. Head was perfectly straight, no cracks. New MB air filter, fuel filter, gas tank filter, fuel hoses, no air leak in furl lines. It will start in cold -30 C no problem. If I use diesel Purge this car runs like new no smoke for 2 days than goes back a to square one.

5 Replies

DR LOOT

MECHANIC
2,311 POSTS

White smoke is caused by incorrect injection pump timing when you did the head gasket who set up the injection pump?

Was this

answer

helpful?

Yes

No

Sunday, September 26th, 2010 AT 12:00 PM

ARTISAN

MEMBER
4 POSTS

I never had Injection Pump Timing done because it did not move when I did the Head Gasket.
Do you recommend to do the Injection Pump Timing?

Artisan

SPONSORED LINKS

Was this

answer

helpful?

Yes

No

Monday, September 27th, 2010 AT 7:49 AM

DR LOOT

MECHANIC
2,311 POSTS

YES! I will explain you how to do it if you want to attempt it yourself.

Was this

answer

helpful?

Yes

No

Monday, September 27th, 2010 AT 11:47 AM

ARTISAN

MEMBER
4 POSTS

It will be very nice of you if you explain how to adjust the timing on this car. I do not have the timing tool for this car.

Was this

answer

helpful?

Yes

No

Monday, September 27th, 2010 AT 9:37 PM

DR LOOT

MECHANIC
2,311 POSTS

INJECTION PUMP TIMING Checking (High Pressure Method)
1. Clean injection lines in range of coupling nuts on injection pump as well as on fuel filter. Set control rod of injection pump to full load.
2. Completely remove air cleaner. Pull off vacuum line on stop capsule. Unscrew injection line from cylinder No. 1. Using Diesel Injection Test Kit (617 589 00 91 00), (Note You can make this tool yourself using an injection line) screw test line with sight glass to injection pump and install return flow line to fuel tank of pump unit.
3. Close fuel return line from injection pump to fuel filter. Insert "O" ring into ring fitting of return flow line and firmly press in quick lock. Connect supply line from pump unit to injection pump supply.
4. Connect cable of pump unit to vehicle battery (Red terminal positive, Black terminal negative). Turn crankshaft to approximately 35 degrees BTDC on compression stroke of No. 1 cylinder. Engage pump unit.
NOTE:Engage pump unit for measuring only. If an injection nozzle is leaking, fuel may enter combustion chamber.
5. Rotate crankshaft slowly in direction of rotation of engine while watching fuel jet in sight glass. If fuel jet changes to chain-like drops, start of delivery (injection timing) has been attained. In this position, read beginning of delivery (injection timing) on graduated scale on belt tension. Nominal value is 24 degrees BTDC.

Adjustment (High Pressure Method)
1. Turn crankshaft to 24 degrees BTDC on compression stroke of No. 1 cylinder. Loosen injection pump flange and support bolts.
2. Connect pump unit. Swivel injection pump by turning adjusting screw (clockwise to retard timing, counterclockwise to advance timing) while watching fuel stream. If fuel stream changes to drops, injection timing (start of fuel delivery) has been attained.
3. Disconnect pump unit. Assemble injection system and check regulating linkage. Adjust linkage if needed. Run engine and check connections for leaks. Injection system will automatically vent itself when engine is started.
INJECTION PUMP TIMING Application
Degrees BTDC
All Models 24