White Smoke ... WTF?

ChrisDPham · 11-03-2009, 10:24 AM

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...

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2PHAST · 11-03-2009, 11:53 AM

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.

ChrisDPham · 11-03-2009, 04:47 PM

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.

TerryA · 11-03-2009, 09:14 PM

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

RBYCC · 11-04-2009, 09:47 AM

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.

ChrisDPham · 11-04-2009, 07:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RBYCC

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.

Hey Ed,

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.

JSe420 · 11-04-2009, 09:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChrisDPham

Hey Ed,

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.

Lemme know!! i need parts!!

ChrisDPham · 11-05-2009, 01:20 AM

What parts? lol

I probably won't even part it out. haha too much of a hassle

kiamcoj · 11-05-2009, 01:46 AM

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.

ChrisDPham · 11-05-2009, 02:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kiamcoj

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.

I worked there at Gibson about a year ago for about a year. lol

Do you live or work around there?

kiamcoj · 11-05-2009, 02:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChrisDPham

I worked there at Gibson about a year ago for about a year. lol

Do you live or work around there?

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!

ChrisDPham · 11-05-2009, 02:22 AM

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

kiamcoj · 11-05-2009, 02:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChrisDPham

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

Yup, that's the shopping center.

Thanks for the compliment

RBYCC · 11-05-2009, 08:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChrisDPham

Hey Ed,

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.

OUCH..............!!!!!

ps2cho · 11-05-2009, 12:23 PM

Don't ditch the W124...

....just get a 2nd car

Wolfe190 · 11-05-2009, 04:29 PM

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.

ps2cho · 11-05-2009, 05:12 PM

10k dreaming? Probably half that in reality. Probably less with impending work.

JSe420 · 11-05-2009, 10:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChrisDPham

What parts? lol

I probably won't even part it out. haha too much of a hassle

I need the wire harness

childofjuly · 11-05-2009, 11:24 PM

and Ill take the kit

neanderthal · 11-05-2009, 11:42 PM

How much is a used engine. Say, a 5 liter engine.

How much is an engine swap?

ChrisDPham · 11-06-2009, 01:31 AM

lol all the scavengers are coming out

childofjuly · 11-06-2009, 02:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChrisDPham

lol all the scavengers are coming out

Chappy · 11-06-2009, 08:16 AM

Sorry to hear about your troubles. Hope you decide to keep your ride...would hate to lose another W124 enthusiast.

JSe420 · 11-07-2009, 02:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChrisDPham

lol all the scavengers are coming out

Hey hey hey! i just need the wire harness

and i think i remember u saying yours is new.

Bigpete123 · 11-09-2009, 10:00 PM

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.

11-03-2009, 11:53 AM	#2
2PHAST Super Member Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Kirkland, WA Posts: 983 Drives: 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. __________________ 1993 500E

11-03-2009, 04:47 PM	#3
ChrisDPham MBWorld Fanatic! Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Orange County, CA Posts: 5,621 Drives: is sick.	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. __________________

11-04-2009, 09:47 AM	#5
RBYCC MBWorld Fanatic! Join Date: May 2005 Location: REHOBOTH BEACH DE Posts: 1,368 Drives: 88-300CE TWIN TURBO, 99-C43, 05-G55K, 71-280SL, 94-E320 CAB	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. __________________ *TURBOTECHNICS TWIN TURBO M103 300CE WIDEBODY* [

11-05-2009, 01:20 AM	#8
ChrisDPham MBWorld Fanatic! Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Orange County, CA Posts: 5,621 Drives: is sick.	What parts? lol I probably won't even part it out. haha too much of a hassle __________________

11-05-2009, 01:46 AM	#9
kiamcoj MBWorld Fanatic! Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: LB-CA Posts: 2,076 Drives: 2003 CLK500	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. __________________ -Jon

11-03-2009, 09:14 PM	#4
TerryA Junior Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Orange County, California Posts: 34 Drives: 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

11-05-2009, 02:22 AM	#12
ChrisDPham MBWorld Fanatic! Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Orange County, CA Posts: 5,621 Drives: is sick.	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 __________________ Last edited by ChrisDPham; 11-05-2009 at 02:24 AM.

11-05-2009, 12:23 PM	#15
ps2cho MBWorld Fanatic! Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: SoCal Posts: 1,391 Drives: 1988 300TE, 1987 260E	Don't ditch the W124... ....just get a 2nd car __________________ 1988 Pearl Grey Metallic Mercedes 300TE - 98k miles 1987 Black Mercedes 260E - 86k miles

11-05-2009, 04:29 PM	#16
Wolfe190 Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Bellingham, Wa Posts: 148 Drives: 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.

11-05-2009, 05:12 PM	#17
ps2cho MBWorld Fanatic! Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: SoCal Posts: 1,391 Drives: 1988 300TE, 1987 260E	10k dreaming? Probably half that in reality. Probably less with impending work. __________________ 1988 Pearl Grey Metallic Mercedes 300TE - 98k miles 1987 Black Mercedes 260E - 86k miles

11-05-2009, 11:24 PM	#19
childofjuly Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Little Rock, Arkansas Posts: 196 Drives: 1995 E 420	and Ill take the kit

11-05-2009, 11:42 PM	#20
neanderthal Super Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Posts: 804	How much is a used engine. Say, a 5 liter engine. How much is an engine swap? __________________ 'O=00=O' BMW 2002. LONG LIVE THE LEGEND.

11-06-2009, 01:31 AM	#21
ChrisDPham MBWorld Fanatic! Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Orange County, CA Posts: 5,621 Drives: is sick.	lol all the scavengers are coming out __________________

11-06-2009, 08:16 AM	#23
Chappy MBWorld Fanatic! Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Hotlanta Posts: 7,886 Drives: AMG	Sorry to hear about your troubles. Hope you decide to keep your ride...would hate to lose another W124 enthusiast. __________________ W208 CLK55 - 2002 (Silver w/Charcoal - 43K miles) 1 of 3,381 W208 AMG Coupes Worldwide 304WHP / 321TQ - Stock! W124 Estate - 1995 MBWGCM #71 Kombi's Uber Alles Member #3

11-09-2009, 10:00 PM	#25
Bigpete123 MBWorld Fanatic! Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Seattle Posts: 1,303 Drives: 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. __________________

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