White Smoke ... WTF?
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From: Orange County, CA
W124's
White Smoke ... WTF?
So, 20 minutes ago I start my car to get ready and leave for work. After starting it I heard a noticable pop but I wasn't too loud and then the famous white smoke coming out of the exhaust.
At first I just thought it was a bad cold start and eventually would go away. As I start driving I notice more smoke exiting upon acceration. I drive less than a block and drive home. What do you guys think the problem is? Blown head gasket? I have a few hours until I can tow my car to the mechanic...
At first I just thought it was a bad cold start and eventually would go away. As I start driving I notice more smoke exiting upon acceration. I drive less than a block and drive home. What do you guys think the problem is? Blown head gasket? I have a few hours until I can tow my car to the mechanic...
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From: Kirkland, WA
500E Signal Rot
White smoke or semi white can be produced in several ways. One way is oil this is normally a whitish blue to blue smoke and has the apparent smell of oil being burned. Next could be antifreeze when it is being burned it has a sweet type of smell and tends to dissipate in the air rather quickly. Next is automatic transmission fluid and its normally drawn into an engine thru a vacuum line via a defective transmission modulator valve or some other defective part.
Transmission fluid is very apparent and billows out so bad that you can't see anything behind you.
Sometimes when the head gasket goes it will produce a passage for the antifreeze to pass from the capillaries into the combustion chamber. It is easy to check if you have an air compressor. Remove one of the rear sparkplugs and the radiator cap. Fill the radiator and then push some air into the sparkplug hole (get a good seal in case a valve is open). Repeat with all the cylinders and watch for air bubbles coming up into the radiator. If bubbles come up or fluid is pumped out, the head gasket is blown and must be replaced. It is more likely to happen at the back of the engine because it is farthest away from the fan and therefore gets less cooling.
Transmission fluid is very apparent and billows out so bad that you can't see anything behind you.
Sometimes when the head gasket goes it will produce a passage for the antifreeze to pass from the capillaries into the combustion chamber. It is easy to check if you have an air compressor. Remove one of the rear sparkplugs and the radiator cap. Fill the radiator and then push some air into the sparkplug hole (get a good seal in case a valve is open). Repeat with all the cylinders and watch for air bubbles coming up into the radiator. If bubbles come up or fluid is pumped out, the head gasket is blown and must be replaced. It is more likely to happen at the back of the engine because it is farthest away from the fan and therefore gets less cooling.
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From: Orange County, CA
W124's
Hmm... the smoke is so bad I can't even see anything behind me even driving less than 20mph the smoke was intense.
I did have a issue with the transmission leaking oil, etc after I got my transmission services with an oil change and a new filter.
I don't have a air compressor so I guess I'll have to wait it out and see what the mechanic says.
I know one of the problems might be a head gasket, if this is the problem - how much is a job like this going to cost on a M119?
Thanks for the post Rik - I appreciate it.
I did have a issue with the transmission leaking oil, etc after I got my transmission services with an oil change and a new filter.
I don't have a air compressor so I guess I'll have to wait it out and see what the mechanic says.
I know one of the problems might be a head gasket, if this is the problem - how much is a job like this going to cost on a M119?
Thanks for the post Rik - I appreciate it.
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Joined: Dec 2006
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From: Orange County, California
1993 040 500E
Chris,
2Phast has covered most of the issues but I had a similar thing happen to me on an older Mercedes
It can also be caused by a bad gasket or O ring in the vacuum booster for the brakes. I believe there is also a check valve in the vacuum line to the booster that you might want to look at.
When you step on the brakes the vacuum causes the brake fluid to go directly into the intake manifold.
When it happened to me I still had brakes but really bad white smoke out the exhaust.
Just a suggestion
I hope it is nothing to major.
Good Luck
Terry
2Phast has covered most of the issues but I had a similar thing happen to me on an older Mercedes
It can also be caused by a bad gasket or O ring in the vacuum booster for the brakes. I believe there is also a check valve in the vacuum line to the booster that you might want to look at.
When you step on the brakes the vacuum causes the brake fluid to go directly into the intake manifold.
When it happened to me I still had brakes but really bad white smoke out the exhaust.
Just a suggestion
I hope it is nothing to major.
Good Luck
Terry
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From: REHOBOTH BEACH DE
88-300CE TWIN TURBO, 99-C43, 05-G55K, 71-280SL, 94-E320 CAB, 08 CLK63 BLACK SERIES
Chris
How is the performance ?
A blown head gasket that would produce the volumes of smoke that you describe would also effect performance..
My guess is transmission, which shouldn't be as an expensive fix !!!
Let us know
Ed A.
How is the performance ?
A blown head gasket that would produce the volumes of smoke that you describe would also effect performance..
My guess is transmission, which shouldn't be as an expensive fix !!!
Let us know
Ed A.
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From: Orange County, CA
W124's
Didn't really get a chance to get on it awhile all of it was happening yesterday.
Inspected the oil and theres coolant in there.
Now I'm thinking about ditching the W124 and getting a more practical daily commuter.
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1994 E420
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OT: Chris do you happen to work or go to Gibson in Montebello? I swear I have seen a car that looks like yours there.
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W124's
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2012 CLS63
Oh yeah, it has probably about a year since I've been there and when I saw your car. I work in Pico Rivera, in the offices behind the Wal Mart. You're car is soooo damn clean bro!
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W124's
Yeah dude, I use to drive out to all those fast food places in Pico Rivera too for lunch. That one shopping center with Quiznos, etc etc if you know what I'm talking about lol I think thats in the same plaza that walmart you're talking about is
and thanks bro, I've seen your car once before and it's clean too man! Love the brabus front
and thanks bro, I've seen your car once before and it's clean too man! Love the brabus front
Last edited by CDP; Nov 5, 2009 at 01:24 AM.
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From: Dallas, TX
2012 CLS63
Yeah dude, I use to drive out to all those fast food places in Pico Rivera too for lunch. That one shopping center with Quiznos, etc etc if you know what I'm talking about lol I think thats in the same plaza that walmart you're talking about is
and thanks bro, I've seen your car once before and it's clean too man! Love the brabus front
and thanks bro, I've seen your car once before and it's clean too man! Love the brabus front
Thanks for the compliment
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From: REHOBOTH BEACH DE
88-300CE TWIN TURBO, 99-C43, 05-G55K, 71-280SL, 94-E320 CAB, 08 CLK63 BLACK SERIES
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From: Bellingham, Wa
1989 190e
Idk, if I was you I'd probably think of selling it too. I'm not an expert on w124s but you could get at least 10k for it right?
Just think of how many honda civics you could buy! Ohhh man and not only that but you could finally have the opportunity to feel the REAL pull of a DOHC VTEC engine!
Hope things work out for you though. Personally, I'd consider a second car as well.
Just think of how many honda civics you could buy! Ohhh man and not only that but you could finally have the opportunity to feel the REAL pull of a DOHC VTEC engine!
Hope things work out for you though. Personally, I'd consider a second car as well.
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From: Seattle
1990 300ce
Dude. Chris. You have a sweet car that you've but lots of love (and money) into. Don't measure it's value by KBB. It's worth more than that to you and the open market.
The head gasket may cost you $1k-$2k. But think about how much a new(er) car is going to cost you in depreciation. Plus, if you still have the modding bug when you get your new car, you're going to spend a bunch of money getting it the way you like it.
Keep the faith brother.
The head gasket may cost you $1k-$2k. But think about how much a new(er) car is going to cost you in depreciation. Plus, if you still have the modding bug when you get your new car, you're going to spend a bunch of money getting it the way you like it.
Keep the faith brother.
