Excessive Blow-by on Kama 554

[greg_g]

Maybe Rob would like examples of modern technoloy.

Why? I didn't see you disagree with Dave when he said " A Chinese tractor is basically a dumb machine ... ". I was just trying to relate Rob's PCV valve question to another diesel that's designed at roughly the same technological level. The fact that my 617 is still a daily driver after all these years - should be testament to the design concept.

But now I'm curious, you led me to believe you were talking about your own Mercedes diesel before. What's a "modern " supercharged gasoline engine got to do with Rob's interest channeling diesel blow-by on his "dumb machine" ?

//greg//

 

[greg_g]

Please forgive for questioning your vast knowledge ...

I kinda think it was the other way around Dave. But now that your true colors have finally emerged, folks may remember them - I know I will - when you approach the forum with a TSC354C question of your own some day.

//greg//

 

[greg_g]

Greg and Jerry seem to think the 50w might be a contributing factor.

Can't speak for Jerry, but it's a bit premature to levy full blame on your current oil. I only suggested going back to conventional 15W40 at the next oil change - to SEE whether or not synthetic and 50W may have anything to do with this blow-by issue. A simple matter of elimination. Because I'm not yet convinced that this blowby actually represents a bona fide problem. Like I said, my 395 also develops a slowly growing wet spot around the breather - looks pretty much the same as depicted in your photo. I just wipe it off when it gets too unsightly. And I've never used anything but conventional 15W40.

I was advised I didn't need the check valve for the diesel like on a gas engine.

I'm not sure who advised that, but consider that Y385 check valve I mentioned earlier. Then consider the huge inflow witnessed if you've ever taken the intake runner off the manifold. There's enough vacuum there to suck in hapless rodents and small birds that happen to venture too close. It's because of this massive intake flow that I used the phrase check valve, but now I see that was a poor choice of words. I was thinking more like flow restrictor. After all, you only want to draw out oil vapors and condensation. Perhaps I'm over-thinking this, but it doesn't stop visions of the intake sucking raw oil right out of the valve cover.

//greg//

 

[EddieWalker]

Rob,

I keep thinking you are going down the same road that I did with the engine in my dozer. The blowby started out very small and not very significant. I noticed it, but explained it away as normal. Over time, it became more and more noticable.

A friend came over to check on my progress while digging my lake and said that my turbo was the problem. Not knowing anything about them, I fealt that was a good idea. I took off the turbo and had it rebuilt. It was very worn out, so that was good, but it didn't affect the level of blowby.

I tried playing around with the venting, which just created more messes in other areas. It just got worse and worse. Then sombody suggested I check the oil preasure. I put on a gauge and found out that I had almost no oil preasure.

I tried changing the oil, changing the filter (twice) and adding stuff to the oil to increase oil preasure. Nothing made a difference, it just cost me time and money.

What I was trying to avoid for months now became something that I had to deal with. Again, I didn't, (and stild don't) know much about diesel engines. I took mine apart and found the problem to be a very badly worn out number 6 cylinder.

I think you need to check your compression. You need a special tester for dielel engines, but nothing else is going to answer your questions. Venting and changing the oil is more of a delaying tactic that won't solve the cause of the increase in blowby. Something has changed in your engine.

Good luck,
Eddie

 

[Flyhiflylo]

Eddie hits the nail on the head. Ding Ding Ding!

Blow By is BLOW BY... Check your compression...

 

[greg_g]

I don't have a clapped out 35 year old Mercedes like yours.

Actually - neither do I. Have a "clapped out old Mercedes " that is. Like I said, a daily driver.

Sorry Rob - just couldn't let Fly's denigration stand on it's own merit.

//greg//

 

[Flyhiflylo]

Actually - neither do I. Have a "clapped out old Mercedes " that is. //greg//

Ha ha Ha! What the heck do you call that?????

 

[greg_g]

Ha ha Ha! What the heck do you call that?????

Well sir - if you have to ask that, I'm sorry to say that you know less about Mercedes than you do about Chinese tractors - and that your sole motivation for posting is apparently one of instigation.

The car you're yukkin' it up about is a comparatively rare 300CDT; a turbocharged five cylinder 3.0 liter W123 coupe (forerunner of today's E-class). Perhaps you forgot to count the doors. I venture to say it will continue to increase in collector value long after you trade that Kompressor model in for your next toy.

Due to the vintage of its engine design, I found it a reasonably appropriate reference to use - relative to Rob's interest in adding a PCV valve to his KAMA

//greg//

 

[Flyhiflylo]

Yeah greg these are Hot Hot Hot... Sorry I don't know a true classic when I see one. Oh man of all things vintage Benzo.

Do you think you increased the value of yours by changing the wheels to 1989 190E wheels?

Should I bid 5K on this it has origonal wheels? eBay Motors: Mercedes-Benz : 300-Series (item 300211478418 end time Apr-04-08 22:14:37 PDT)

 

[greg_g]

Should I bid 5K on this

Since you insist on completely hijacking Rob's thread - yes. At that bid, it's a good investment. The current NADA collectible guide reflects top book for that particular car is $12,150. About 5-6 years ago it bottomed out around $6400, been climbing ever since.

And yes, the 92 style 15" wheel and tire upgrade increases the value to select buyers. Plus I have had the original 14" alloys professionally refinished. Should a purist make me an offer I can't refuse, they go with the car.

Note I said 92 style wheels. Your '89 190E would have been sold with what they then called the "new look" alloy

//greg//