mbmike123

My 2003 CLK 430 has smoke blowing out the exhaust when I start excellerating. There is a tapping when I start the car but goes away once it's warmed up. The oil has been changed but the light for check oil/reduce oil level light still continues to come on. At regular speeds just driving no issues with smoke, nothing smoking @ traffic lights....only when I have accelerate quickly. Thoughts on what this is?

beefstallionAMG

What color is the smoke?

white = coolant
blue = oil
black = running rich

What oil are you running? Have you tried a different viscosity? Lifter tick is common with most cars. I wouldn't bother with the dash light. Go by the level on the dipstick.

mbmike123

Smoke color was white but thick & heavy (can't see through it).
As for oil, changed @ dealership so it's Mercedes grade for the car specific.

MarcusF

If your oil level sensor is functioning properly, and you can confirm this with the dipstick, then you have too much oil in the crankcase. Cars that have too much oil tend to smoke. BTW, when you check the oil level with the dipstick, it should not be at the top line.

If the oil was changed at a "Mercedes-Benz" dealer, and it's overfull, then you can take it back. They'll vacuum out how ever much needs to come out and you’ll be fine. If it was changed at Jiffy-Lube or some other lube dealership, then that may explain the problem.

I highly recommend that you not continue to drive the car with too much oil in the crankcase. When the oil level is too high, the crank can splash against the oil, which causes the oil to get aerated (foamy). Because it can be compressed, aerated oil doesn’t hold oil pressure and you could spin a bearing.

mbmike123

Thanks Marcus....
The dealer told me it was a build up in the tailpipe/muffler & it had blown out. They checked everything including the heads & all is fine.
Does this even sound right?

MarcusF

Occasionally, soot like material can build up in the exhaust system. However, a dirty exhaust pipe wouldn't cause the oil level sensor to give an inaccurate reading. Personally, I'd look at the dipstick.

jonUF02

sounds like the dealer is "blowing smoke" up your ***!

They hire some high school drop-out kid or ex-con for like $10/hr to do oil changes. He was probably out back smoking some weed before he filled your oil and put way too much in. That's why I do my own. It's quicker, much cheaper, and I know it's done right, with the right stuff.