Changed oil now white/gray smoke coming out of exhaust

2011 MERCEDES BENZ C300
165,000 MILES
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MAJRAM
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  • 1 POST
White/gray smoke coming out of exhaust after oil change, air filters replaced. What is the diagnosis? Change in the way the car is running, noticed a shaking.
Aug 17, 2018 at 5:19 PM
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STRAILER
  • ASE Certified Mechanic
  • 54,832 POSTS
  • ASE Certified Mechanic
I would check the oil level first also did you add the oil in the correct place? Also, if the air filter is not on right it can cause the crankcase ventilation system to suck raw oil into the intake. Here are videos on both job can you go over them to see if you did something wrong?

https://youtu.be/aNvfRHuZTFY

and

https://youtu.be/DyzHYXhrU5o

Please run down these guides and report back.

Cheers, Ken
Aug 18, 2018 at 6:43 PM
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JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • ASE Certified Mechanic
  • 110,194 POSTS
  • ASE Certified Mechanic
Hi and thanks for using 2CarPros.com.

Honestly, it sounds like a head gasket issue, but an oil change should not have caused that. Often times when a head gasket goes bad, coolant will enter the combustion chamber. When that happens, the engine will emit a white/grayish exhaust. Take a look at this link that shows how to check for a bad head gasket. Check what it says and let me know what you find.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/head-gasket-blown-test

Also, here is a link that describes what I mentioned and shows pictures of it happening. Read through it, too.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/white-smoke-or-steam-coming-from-the-exhaust-pipe

Take care,
Joe
Aug 18, 2018 at 6:46 PM
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