A friend just bought a 380SE at an auction. When it is cold it blows alot of white smoke, which doesn't smell much like oil. It is pretty thick and I don't think it is water vapor. He hasn't driven the car enough to know if it is using a lot of oil(or water). When the engine warms up the white smoke disappears, and after a while it starts running rough and blowing black smoke.

I'm puzzled because I'd expect the white smoke to smell oily but it doesn't. Could I ask for some help with this? The odometer reads 120,000...what could be the possible causes of this white smoke?

About the rough running and black smoke...any ideas where to start troubleshooting this? I notice the engine has a computer, but I don't see injectors. Is this a hybrid system.

Regards,

John

 

I forgot to mention the 380 SE is a V8 4 door model.


John

 

jbclem,

I'm having the same issues with my 300 SEL.

When I took the care into the dealer they said my fuel distributor is bad and the engine was leaking oil due to my valve cover gasket. Ask your friend if they've noticed any black powder residue coming out of the exhaust pipe in the morning when the engine is still cold.

I could almost guarentee its the fuel distributor.

ciao

MM

 

MM,

Did you replace your fuel distributor, and did that solve the problem?

john

 

No not yet... I'm out of town. As soon as I get back home I'll do so and will indeed keep you posted.

 

Hey Ya'll, From what I know about engines is that when there is too much fuel, the smoke is black. White smoke would indicate oil or steam from water. Watch the smoke and see if it evaporates quickly or if it doesn't then that would indicate oil to me.

 

could be a head gasket not sealing when cold ,,ran into that before on a 500sel