terracotta

Hello All,

I have a E320 CDI 2006 with approx 11,000 miles on it in CA.
This is my daily driver to work.

Last evening I checked the exhaust tailpipe with a finger and noted a deposit of black soot. Is this normal for a CDI? DO you expect any carbon deposit at all in these modern diesels?

Additionally, I get an average fuel consumption of 26 miles/gallon with 75% highway 25% local driving. I have heard numbers more in the 30+ mpg range.

I would like to hear of others' experiences with regard to the exhaust and mileage on the E320 CDIs.

best regards,

lkchris

When I "get on it" in our E-class, I can leave a cloud of diesel smoke.

Same behaviour with the GL, there's none.

Difference? The V6 installations feature a particulate filter and the earlier I6 cars don't.

BTW, there's absolutely zero/zip/nada diesel smell with the GL. Smell from the E-class can choke.

Technology marches on.

terracotta

Kent,

Thanks for sharing this information. The sense I got from all the CDI advertising was that they had ushered a new era of clean diesels. IT looks like the bluetec may have corrected that but CDI continues to still have the problem of smoke and emission.

-terry

lkchris

It's not a problem--it met regulations at time it was sold.

2007-2008 models were improved but still didn't meet California regulations.

In 2009 they will.

polarbexar

You will get carbon build up on ANY exhaust, gas or diesel. As for the mileage, wait for the diesel to break in, it should get better.

lkchris

In the "olden days" that is!

At 14K zero/zip/nada black deposit in the chrome tips of my GL exhaust.

Again: particulate filter.

terracotta

polar,

gas engines don't smoke unless they are not tuned. Here in my E320 CDI I am alluding to black soot that is caking around the exhaust pipe.

Is this what you are experiencing in your CDIs?

polarbexar

Ahhh Terra-

Did I say anything in reference to smoke?

No...


Yes carbon build up, it happens with ignition doesn't matter if compression or spark.

yeah Ik particulate traps are pretty cool huh?

terracotta

I guess the difference between "smoke" and "carbon deposit" is confusing.
Could you explain the difference.

Ken'ts earlier remark about a cloud of smoke in his E class is confusing. Is that something expected of an E320 CDI? i.e. if you don;t have a particulate filter?

Sorry for ranting about this but I just want to be sure this is normal.

lkchris

I think it's normal with any diesel without a particulate filter.

terracotta

Thanks Kent, for confirming.