W116

Just bougth a 1976 W115 200 GAS last week. I noticed white smoke coming from the tailpipe exhaust. There seems to be no oil leak in the raidiator nor any decrease in the coolant level. Spark plugs seems normal. I have been to 3 different benz mechanics. They all said that the white exhaust is normal for an old CAR like this. Any comments from owners of a W115 GAS engine? Do you also have white smoke?

Thanks

ARwin

mrbobby

Put your hand in the white smoke, taking car not to burn yourself, and see if you hand comes away wet. If it is wet the "smoke" is probably just water vapour and nothing to worry about. If your hand comes away oily then you have another problem, probably worn piston rings or something else in the engine.

You don't mention mileage so it's difficult to give you any other suggestions.

Good luck with your new car

W116

Thanks. I will try that tonite and update you. Cant tell the mileage since the odometer is not working when I bought it. It stopped around 80k. The last oil change was performed last Aug 30. I think I used up about less than 50km since I bought it.

A benz mechanic told me that the W115 engine is tough that even if there is a blow by it is still ok as long as i would perform regular oil change and adjust the valves every tune up. He also recommended not to use synthetic oil.

Should I take his work for it? Having sleepless nights for fear of an overhaul

mrbobby

It's probably best to determine what is coming out the tail pipe before drawing any conclusions. Yes Mercedes engines are tough but if the tailpipe emissions are something other than oil blow by you should probably do something about the problem before the problem becomes worse.
When you check the emission by putting your hand near the tailpipe, if you do get a clear condensate on your hand before wiping your hand clean touch the condensate to your tongue. If the condensate tastes sweet you probably have an antifreeze contamination.

W116

Hi mrbobby.

Did the smoke test. It appears that the residue is water and not oil. However, I also checked the raidiator and there is no decrease in the water level nor oil in it. The water is pink and i guess the PO uses coolant in it. The temp is also normal. Its below 80. The oil in the engine is clean. No signs of water leak. If it is water vapor shouldnt it dissappear after a few minutes?

If this is the case can I now sleep soundly at night?

Thanks

mrbobby

It depends on the climatic conditions around the vehicle. High humidity etc. My advice is to stop worrying and enjoy the car. Service it regularly and it will probably provide a long enjoyable life.

W116

What a relief hearing that from you. Thanks a lot for your help