Originally Posted by 87tdwagen

ah-kay,
Glad it worked out for you and is motivating you to turn the wagon into a DD. One more survivor on the road! I'm sure you'll enjoy both the journey and destination.


JHZR2,
I don't know of all the MB diesel models with catalytic converters installed. A partial list is all of the US spec W124, W201 diesels should have come with a cat equipped starting 1986. The W126, ironically with the same 603 did Not have one in 86-87, but did starting in 1991 in the 350sd/l.

The location, so far downstream of the turbo was less than ideal to burn off the soot and oil buildup. Later my2000+ designs place the Cat directly off of the turbo. I believe all US diesels 2007 onwards were required to have a cat in addition to DPF.

The clogged cat issue was something I first learned with a gasser Chevy 350 van that would start, but immediately die. Clogged cat. Second time was on my 87 wagon, like yours, that had diminished boost/power and higher EGTs. Same issue. So really just life's lessons learned.

In the end, I try to keep in mind that engines are big air pumps. Turbos, are no different. In order for it all to work well, the intake and exhaust need to flow free, and the pump mechanicals need to function. Diagnostics is merely the process of eliminating known parts of the equation, to discover the unknowns.