1976 Mercedes-Benz W115 240D from North America - Comments

Nothing has gone wrong yet. I just purchased this car from the original owner in Grand Junction Colorado. It seems to run great minus the fact that it blows more smoke than any car I have ever seen. Think "Uncle Buck" this is that car. I really am looking for any advice from anyone who might know where to start. Acceleration is typical black, which is ok. The second I let off the pedal it starts pouring out white and sometimes blue. At idle it runs high and just belts out blue smoke!!

The car is mint other than this annoying problem.

Love the car for the price runs great other than above problems.

In general:

-blue smoke = car consumes oil; for instance when O-rings and/or valve stems are worn

-white smoke = water (sometimes due to condensation) in the mixture; for instance when the head gasket is gone

Hope that helps.

Hi, I have a 71 220D that does the same thing- I have been told it is a problem of the diesel injection pump-I live in Oklahoma City and it won't start if temp falls into the high 30's- I am looking for suggestions, as well- I love the way the car rides and drives- it actually runs good except for the cloud of black smoke- it also puts out a lot of blue smoke on a cool morning!! Thanks and good luck!!

I am assuming by smoke you mean a dark gray under acceleration. This is from being babied. These cars need to be driven. These engines don't have a typical diesel low red-line. These red-line at 5200 RPMs. If it's an automatic manually shift it and wind the gears up to the 4000 range. On your speedometer it should have dots indicating the max shift points. 1 dot 2 dots and three dots. Use them and don't be afraid to hold the petal to the floor. You will be amazed how much better the car will run if treated this way. 3 gallons of Bio diesel will help clean out the injectors as well.

Does anybody knows, if exists repair manual for this model MB 240D W115? I would like to buy it and I was looking allover the Internet and I could not find it!

Adjust the play in the shut-off cable on the side of your injection pump. And check your pneumatic injection pump diaphragm.

In regards to your mercedes, my 1976 240D suffers a bit from this--but not as much. Perhaps that is only because I drive in Los Angeles, and the smog from my tailpipe may be more difficult to discern from the smog that already exists in the "rarified air" of the 405.

I am about to go biodeisel with my 240D, and I suspect that the biggest potential hazards to guard for are the clogging of fuel filters and possible replacement of fuel lines. I don't know if the smoke cloud will be greater (or merely smell greater).

Have you ever considered the city of purchase as the possible cause for the inordinant amount of smoke? My two kids were born in Grand Junction and they are now teenagers. They both have become quite good at blowing smoke.

'Ready to consider your advice on these matters.

David.

Hi.

My family have driven the w115 /compact since the late sixties.

I have restored my compact and on the engine only the head gasket and the top have bean changed and restored, also the diesel pump have bean adjusted.

To the point, my car or any of the ones we had blow out black or blue smoke so if the engine is OK a little in the beginning if the car hasn´t bean driven. Because particles are always collected I the exhaust pipe. But after bean droven a while the smoke should be normal.

This is our experience of the w115 /compact through out the years.

Good luck whit your car.

Just bumped into this site, I have a w 115 had it for years{its stood up at the momment, it has the same prob with smoke{a bit off a cheech and chong} got me thinking must put back on the road as it could be a fuiel prob??? from higgy england {east anglia}

Interested in info on a 1976 450sl. The fuel pump will not kick on, no juice at the wire connector on the pump. All fuses and relays OK. Is one of the two wires a ground? Thanks for any info. It is a v8.