So, totally solid W123 280TE. Never smokes EXCEPT noticing large cloud following motorway driving. When slowing, coasting to slip road after a motorway / dual CW type drive - a big cloud of smoke is emitted on the slip road or just after - then nothing at all again. I’m using oil but has no visible leaks & runs perfectly. Never overheats but just started to notice needle is bobbing 10% higher than usual sometimes. Any ideas?
280TE Blue Smoke after motorway
- Thread starter lplplp
- Start date
Is that a big job / major problem? I’m clueless on mechanics
Also, if it does need a big engine refurb, do these work & can you recommend anyone? Love the car
so would almost do a precautionary refurb. It’s ‘only’ done 140k miles but last owner of 40 years (pretty much just standing for the last 10 of that, albeit in heated garage) fixed things but didn’t seem to annual service too much
so would almost do a precautionary refurb. It’s ‘only’ done 140k miles but last owner of 40 years (pretty much just standing for the last 10 of that, albeit in heated garage) fixed things but didn’t seem to annual service too much
It's not a huge "disaster" type job but it is not a 5 minute job either. I'm not sure if the head has to come off on that engine - obviously a much bigger job if it does. Depends how bad it is - it can be left for now if the oil consumption is not terrible; it will gradually get worse over a long period of time. Have you measured the oil consumption per 1000 miles? Have you got an old school mechanic who can take a look for you?
Also, if it does need a big engine refurb, do these work & can you recommend anyone? Love the car
so would almost do a precautionary refurb. It’s ‘only’ done 140k miles but last owner of 40 years (pretty much just standing for the last 10 of that, albeit in heated garage) fixed things but didn’t seem to annual service too much
so would almost do a precautionary refurb. It’s ‘only’ done 140k miles but last owner of 40 years (pretty much just standing for the last 10 of that, albeit in heated garage) fixed things but didn’t seem to annual service too much
Only had it 4 months but using it every day & done around 2k miles. It seems to be using an alarming amount of oil in that dipstick suggests it’s gone bone dry (never any warning lights or needles) every 500 miles. It’s been getting a little bit hotter lately after a big oil ad - but i might have put wrong grade in - just to get me out of trouble
OK it is burning a significant amount of oil and in that case it does need looking at. It needs some level of attention - it could be as simple as blocked breather causing excess crankcase pressure but more likely at 40 yrs old some level of engine rebuild - either a "top end" rebuild - valve guides or a cylinder head gasket or more seriously the bottom end as well - ie pistons and / or rings.
If the body is good then it is worth spending the money; it is a fantastic car. You should find someone who knows their way around these cars to do the work. If you post up where you are then someone may be able to recommend someone to help you.
And I would suggest not using the car and making sure that the oil is topped up to keep it on the dipstick - driving it with very low oil level could cause even more expensive damage.
If the body is good then it is worth spending the money; it is a fantastic car. You should find someone who knows their way around these cars to do the work. If you post up where you are then someone may be able to recommend someone to help you.
And I would suggest not using the car and making sure that the oil is topped up to keep it on the dipstick - driving it with very low oil level could cause even more expensive damage.
I did when I got it recommissioned 4 months ago, but looking back, don’t trust the bloke who did it. Since then I have taken it to a trustworthy merc specialist for a few niggles (window switch, warm up regulator) & they mentioned the oil was very low which was a surprise since it was recently recommissioned. However, since they topped it up, I’ve had to do the same & significantly a few times in the last 1500 miles. In love with the car & a total, solid keeper - so prepared to do what’s needed - but, loads of charlatans out there, got no knowledge myself - & want to know what’s wrong & what’s needed. It’s never had any issues running - pressure needle A1, etc
ray_hennig
MB Enthusiast
We had a 280TE and plenty of blue smoke decelerating from 100+ mph. Yes, valve guides. They were replaced when the engine was overhauled by Steve Redfearn in Wimbledon who, sadly, is closed:
Find a good specialist to do the work and all should be well.
Good cars but potential rust buckets so check the underside. The bottom dropped out of the driver's side floor and a local old boy here in France fabricated and welded in new metal. Redfearn said it was an excellent job.
RayH
He put it through its MOT & polished it - but I give him a list of other snags that he didn’t / couldn’t do. I’d asked him for a service also but can’t be 100% sure he actually did a full oil & filter swap out - dodgy a bit harsh - more the wrong man for the job
Bellow
Hardcore MB Enthusiast
Is the oil the correct grade?
Guides guide valves. Seals do the sealing. It is possible for seals to fail (perish) and the guides be fine. Seals on most (if not all) engines can often be replaced without (very expensively) removing the head.
140k miles is not a big mileage WRT wear. Age however, perishes elastomers.
Crankcase breathers need to be checked first.
Guides guide valves. Seals do the sealing. It is possible for seals to fail (perish) and the guides be fine. Seals on most (if not all) engines can often be replaced without (very expensively) removing the head.
140k miles is not a big mileage WRT wear. Age however, perishes elastomers.
Crankcase breathers need to be checked first.
ray_hennig
MB Enthusiast
No, not really. But our TE was very much a London car and did lots of short journeys, school runs etc. I wonder if that did the engine lots of no good. Having said that, once on the open road it would cruise happily at over 100 mph.
We took it to Berlin to knock the wall down, Cap d'Agde to look at naked people (hoots of laughter from our 3 year old in the back!) and Portugal for 3 weeks holiday in the Algarve. Happy days.
RayH
I’ve got 5 children. We’ve got a few cars but they fight to go in the TE. They love sitting in the boot & on the bouncy bench seats. The car is an absolute star
grober
MB Master
Mercedes-Benz M110 engine - Wikipedia
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A.J.
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Talking of cars smoking, this was my friend Steve's 300 CE a year or two back 
