Gray-white smoke out of exhaust

[dngalura]

Gentlemen,
Now that you all corrected my in cabin heating problem, I'm riding my 280SL more and taking long drives.
New obsevation. When I get off the freeway and " slow down"to make an exit, I noticed that there is this white smoke out of the exhaust and will dissappear as I slow down. Sometimes also, when I press on the gas from a stop to 1st gear, smoke comes out. Otherwise the car rides well. What is this?
Thanks.
Dan '70 280SL auto

[jstuart]

Most likely worn valve guides/seals.

Jay

1969 280SL

[Cees Klumper]

Could white/gray smoke also be caused by incorrect ignition timing?

Cees ("Case") Klumper in Amsterdam
'69 white 280 SL automatic

[mdsalemi]

Are you sure of the smoke color?  Generally from my experience, "white" smoke is coolant--a bad thing.  Blue smoke is oil, and black smoke is a rich condition.

The situation you describe on the highway ramp is indicative of high vacuum condition which would suck oil past worn engine internals, and perhaps cause a bit of bluish smoke.

The situation of a hard start from first (did I read that correctly?)most likely would cause black smoke as you are giving it the gas.

Michael Salemi
1969 280SL
Signal Red w/Black Leather
Restored

[jeffc280sl]

I agree with Jay. Most likely worn valve guides/seals.

Jeff C.
1970 280SL 4-speed

[Abbas]

Gentlemen,
  Can you please explain the valve/seal thing.
What does it do? Is it part of engine or injections system?
Where is it located and how does it look. Pictures would
be a great help.

Thanks

Abbas

280SL W113 1969 Ivory
E280 W124 1995 Silver

[mdsalemi]

quote:Originally posted by Abbas

Gentlemen,
  Can you please explain the valve/seal thing.
What does it do? Is it part of engine or injections system?
Where is it located and how does it look. Pictures would
be a great help.

Thanks

Abbas

280SL W113 1969 Ivory
E280 W124 1995 Silver

Valve guides and seals are an integral part of the cylinder head.  They are routinely inspected, changed, etc. during the task known as a "valve job", or certainly in an engine rebuild.  Do a search on the internet and you can find a wealth of information and photos.

When the seals and guides are worn, they allow fluids and gases to move when and where they are not supposed to, which leads to all kinds of issues depending on the severity of the wear; among these issues are excessive oil consumption which can lead to the smoking that dngalura has indicated.

Michael Salemi
1969 280SL
Signal Red w/Black Leather
Restored

[rwmastel]

quote:Originally posted by Abbas

Can you please explain the valve/seal thing.
What does it do? Is it part of engine or injections system?
Where is it located and how does it look. Pictures would
be a great help.

Abbas,

Here's a great introduction the internal workings of an engine.
http://auto.howstuffworks.com/engine.htm

In Dan's case, his smoke is probably due to a valve ("A" and "J" in the web site I reference) not sealing properly when lifting up against the cylinder head.  This would be due to wear and would allow gasses/fluids past the closed valve.

Another possibility for white smoke, if I recall correctly, is a torn diaphram in the transmission that allows transmission fluid up to the intake manifold (via natural vacuum) and into the engine then out the exhaust.

Rodd
Powell, Ohio, USA
1966 230SL, Euro, Auto, Leather, both  tops
1994 E420

[dngalura]

Maybe it's more blue's than white. I will monitor my oil consumption.
If this so, what to do?
thanks
Dan

[rwmastel]

quote:Originally posted by dngalura

Maybe it's more blue's than white. I will monitor my oil consumption.  If this so, what to do?

Dan,

It depends.  Find this information:
- How many miles are on the engine?
- What is the rate of oil consumption (1 quart per XXX miles)?
- What is the compression of each cylinder?
- Does the compression info change using the "teaspoon of oil in on the piston" test?  (Probably wrong definition of test.)
- What is the leak down test results?

Rodd
Powell, Ohio, USA
1966 230SL, Euro, Auto, Leather, both  tops
1994 E420

[waltklatt]

Dan, think the grey white smoke is either a blown headgasket or one that is about to go.
Transmission oil level still level after driving long trips.  Coolant level?
Check the compression in each cylinder to pinpoint the gasket leak.
Color of oil, transmission and coolant?
If the engine has bed seals or rings then there will be blow by oil pressure and cause oil leaks out the seals and cap.  Dan, do you see oil leaks?  Remove the air filter cover and look inside the rubber hose to the intake plenum.
Walter
1967 220SL-diesel

[ja17]

Hello Dan,

You can mistake the blueish white oil smoke as looking white. Trnamission fluid will also tend to be more white than oil smoke. Coolant is the whitest, however you will have overheating issues quickly if you have head gasket/coolant problem.

In any case watch your fluids.

Yes, worn valve guides are often the cause of such a smoke problem. This is not that unusual on high mileage engines. Sometimes valve seals get hard from lack of use and will start working better with some use.  Drive the car and document any fluids being consumed and you should be able to pinpoint the cause.

Joe Alexander
Blacklick, Ohio