Orlin

The GL is brand new. Less then one year. From the same beginning it smokes with black smoke during acceleration. The chrome finishing pipes of the exhaust are already black (I am washing them with acid each week.) I took it several time to the dealer about this problem. They are saying that their test do not detect any problem. I really do not know what to do. Anybody had the same problem?

Fourdiesel

It absolutely should NOT smoke, AT ALL! With 45000 mi on my '08 - 320 there is NO blackening of even the INSIDE of the exhaust pipe. Something is wrong with the amount of fuel being fed during acceleration: ie too much fuel or too little turbo compression to provide enough air to burn. The fuel map in the ECU should be reading the turbo compression and feeding just the right amount of fuel to burn cleanly. It is obviously providing too much fuel.
If there is another dealer near you, ask them to test to make sure the fuel maps are responding correctly. Since there is smoke where there should be none, the problem is also an emissions compliance issue. If necessary, try to get the attention of your state or federal emissions folks. Federal requirements are that the parts affecting emissions must be warrantied for 100,000 mi.

nalaskier

Also with bluetec, the exhaust is even cleaner than a non-urea injection vehicle.

mdadgar

Too much fuel produces white smoke in a diesel, not black.

Ask me how I know.

- Mark <-- ex-owner, 2002 Duramax diesel with faulty injectors

Orlin

Ii also the level of the coolant drops from time to time. When the engine is cold it gives a msg law coolant each 2-3000 mi. Is it possible the two problems to be connected?

AMGSpartan

Hello Orlin,

What numbers are you getting for mpg with this 'black smoke' condition?

/a

Fourdiesel

Your experience is very different from mine then. EVERY diesel I have owned since 1974 (and I have not owned a gasser since then) has produced black inside the exhaust except my Mercedes. My TDI produced black smoke on strong acceleration because it has been 'tuned' or remapped to deliver the max fuel possible through the non stock Bosio injectors. My Kubota diesel lawn mower produces black smoke when there is too much fuel and my Deere 490D makes black smoke under heavy load when the injector pump is pushing max fuel. White smoke can be from coolant leaks.

lkchris

That's absolutely true for USA models with diesel particulate filter.

Original poster didn't bother to identify where he lives.

mdadgar

I think we're probably talking about a matter of degrees, actually.

Black particulate smoke is from a rich mixture that's resulting in unburned fuel exiting the tailpipe.

The white smoke I saw on my D-max was from mass quantities of fuel flowing into the cylinders from eroded injector ball seats. LOTS of fuel, so it's kind of like the effect you get when you pour water on a charcoal grill.

Either case - not good.

- Mark

dieseldoc

My 320cdi has 25,000 miles on it. NO smoke or dirty pipes. My Jetta tdi on the other hand which does not have a particulate trap does leave some nastiness on the rear bumper.

lkchris

Diesel particulate filters became mandatory for 2007 model year.

VW wasn't ready and that's why they sold no diesels in USA from 2007-2009.

Fourdiesel

You are right. My statement about black smoke was based on the assumption that diesel was NOT pouring into the cylinders like water from a garden hose! In the situation you describe I can see how white smoke from vaporized and unburned fuel might appear. I had not experienced that - fortunately!

al'capone

my 2008 GL 320 is 3 years old with 55K miles Has never smoke AT ALL !!! something is wrong take it in and get it check. it could be a number of things better safe than sorry.

canvasback13

86k on my 2008 GL 320 CDI. It has never smoked