W210 - E320CDI Year: 2001 - Black Smoke

[Nobby Clarke]

Have recently noticed that my E320CDI (180,000 km) is producing lots of black smoke. It mostly happens once the engine has been on no load (e.g. standing at traffic lights or pottering along) and then on application of power a cloud of very black smoke is produced. Once the engine pulls through into higher revs the smoke disappears. This used to happen on kick down but the smoke was much less and grey rather than black. The engine starts and idles well with no lumpiness or other unusual noises. Fuel consumption is about the same as always and there is no apparent loss of power. I can also avoid it by very slow application of power in which case little or no smoke is produced. I don't know if it has anything to do with it but the turbo charger seems to sort of "moan" - not whine. My local (Merc trained) mechanic seems to think it is one or all of the injectors although he does not seem to be absolutely convinced. Before shelling out Euro 230 each for 6 injectors does anybody have any idea what else this might be caused by?? Many thanks,
Nobby Clarke

 

[Deleted member 11979]

Could be your turbo seals, I had exactly this problem with an Audi Quattro Turbo a few years ago, it was oil collecting somewhere in the turbo on low power, then as you put your foot down the turbo starts turboing?? and the oil burns in the engine, maybe, I'm no expert.

 

[GordonTarling]

Mine was exactly the same, if not worse, until it got a 140mph blast down the autobahn! It's doing it again now, so I think another trip to Germany is on the cards soon. I think most of the cause is the cat getting clogged with soot and a good blast certainly seems to help. Might be worth trying injector cleaner before you shell out all that money on new ones!

 

[Satch]

Do the easy stuff first: make sure you have no air leaks, split pipes etc, new air filter, dose of injector cleaner and a bit of a thrash.

I laid down an astonishing amount of smoke yesterday pulling away from a teenage prat laden Corsa (oh how sad I was ) but only because Mrs S.
has been doing short trips only for a couple of weeks and is a sedate driver at the best of times.

 

[welland99]

I laid down an astonishing amount of smoke yesterday ...

This is one of the reasons why I don't like diesels much.

 

[Dieselman]

I laid down an astonishing amount of smoke yesterday pulling away from a teenage prat laden Corsa (oh how sad I was ) but only because Mrs S.
has been doing short trips only for a couple of weeks and is a sedate driver at the best of times.

I've been out in the Vrs today for a short journey and drove gently to see what economy it would make. After 4 miles from a cold start it was on 51 mpg, then on the way back I had to dispatch a Renault Clio Sport and Seat Ibiza having a little tussle.

It coughed a bit out then...