Om642.920 e280cdi white smoke problem
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Jan 2026
Posts: 5
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Om642.920 e280cdi white smoke problem
Hello guys,
The smoke happens after the car is at temperature when coming to a stop lots of smoke. Like embarrassing crop dusting smoke. After about 30 seconds of idling the sound of the engine will noticeably change and the smoke immediately clears up, you can then idle for as long as you want with no smoke. Driving at speed and stopping will bring the smoke back again at a stop until the engine sound changes and then poof, no smoke.
what could be the problem? has anyone come across this?
no error code or any!
The smoke happens after the car is at temperature when coming to a stop lots of smoke. Like embarrassing crop dusting smoke. After about 30 seconds of idling the sound of the engine will noticeably change and the smoke immediately clears up, you can then idle for as long as you want with no smoke. Driving at speed and stopping will bring the smoke back again at a stop until the engine sound changes and then poof, no smoke.
what could be the problem? has anyone come across this?
no error code or any!
Member
Joined: Oct 2018
Posts: 228
Likes: 41
2005 E320, 2008 E320 Bluetec
Check the intake of your turbo for oil. To do this, you’ll need to loosen one of your airboxes and move it out of the way, then loosen the three hose clamps holding the “batwing” air intake pipe and remove it. If you observe a large amount of oil there, suspect your crankcase ventilation valve is in need of replacement. It’s a common issue on the OM642.
Some people also recommend an oil catch can plumbed inline with the crankcase ventilation hose to remove the oil but if the system is working as expected it shouldn’t be necessary (but wouldn’t hurt).
Some people also recommend an oil catch can plumbed inline with the crankcase ventilation hose to remove the oil but if the system is working as expected it shouldn’t be necessary (but wouldn’t hurt).
Member
Joined: Oct 2018
Posts: 228
Likes: 41
2005 E320, 2008 E320 Bluetec
Ahh, that changes things a bit. You may have an injector stuck open, in which case I would recommend that you not drive as this can cause permanent severe engine damage due to fuel dilution in the oil.
I'd also recommend that you post about this in the Diesel forum https://mbworld.org/forums/diesel-forum-76/ as well as any forum sites for Sprinters since there are a lot more Sprinters with the OM642 engine in the USA than there are in W211's.
I'd also recommend that you post about this in the Diesel forum https://mbworld.org/forums/diesel-forum-76/ as well as any forum sites for Sprinters since there are a lot more Sprinters with the OM642 engine in the USA than there are in W211's.
