I hate to sound ignorant, but....
What is the ALDA, what does it look like, where is it, and what does it do? Same questions as above for the banjo bolt.
1984 300d turbo.

__________________
1984 300D Turbo Sedan (Hilda) 272,115 miles.....
Anthracite Gray/Palamino Leather, I am 3rd owner

2001 Dodge Stratus (Silver) (wifes) 55814 miles...

1982 280TE Wagon Astral Silver Metallic/
Anthracite Velour
260,512 miles (Eva)

1969 230 Sedan Olive Green/Black MBTex
4 Speed Manual
84,213 miles ????
Haus Frau


2004 Boreem Ninja Pocket Bike
Highly Modified 49cc (Ling Ling)

Einigkeit und Recht und Freiheit

Don't worry about sounding 'ignorant' as everyone of us had to start there.

1. You're going to be happy when you discover these little gems
2. They are easy to work with and produce significant results from time to time

ALDA:

Down near the power steering somewhere. Sits atop some other unit that I can't remember. You'll either notice a screw where the protective top has been tampered with (destroyed) or else you'll notice the covering. If you do a search, I think a pic of the ALDA will come up. Adjust in tiny increments by holding the set nut and turning the screw. Test drive inbetween. Again, do a search for which way to adjust.

BANJO:

At the back of the intake manifold (passenger side of the valve cover) is a clear line attaching itself to a bolt. That bolt is hollow and actually has another bolt going through it. Once you find the location, clip off the hard plastic hose (make sure you have some rubber hose handy for splicing), take out the two bolts (12mm or 13mm) and clean them out with brake cleaner. The hose can also get clogged so make sure its clear. You can also do this at the other end.

SWITCHOVER:

Following the hose back to where it ultimately attaches to a small switchover valve on the firewall (driver's side) gives you another 10% possible boost. I just bypassed this valve though some warn of getting junk in the ALDA if you do this.

I picked up significant acceleration from these three adjustments.

Don

__________________
DAILY DRIVERS:
'84 300DT 298k (Aubrey's)
'99.5 Jetta TDI IV 251k (Julie's)
'97 Jetta TDI 127k (Amber's)
'97 Jetta TDI 186k (Matt's)
'96 Passat TDI 237k (Don's
'84 300D 211k Mint (Arne- Undergoing Greasecar Conversion)

SOLD:
'82 240D 229k (Matt's - Converted-300DT w/ 4 speed

I would recommend against cutting the switchover pressure line. There is no need to do that. Just disconnect the line at the intake manifold and at the switchover valve. Then remove the entire line, including banjo fitting, for cleaning. Cutting the line, then splicing it, is asking for trouble. Remember, this is a pressure line, not a vacuum line. Also, if you disconnect or bypass the switchover valve, you are disabling a safety feature designed to protect the engine from an overboost condition. You also might want to remove and clean (and reinstall) the overboost sensor switch, which screws into the top of the intake manifold just forward of the aforementioned banjo fitting. It is black and has a single wire attached to it. It tends to collect crud just like the switchover fitting. Also, the thing that the ALDA "sits on top of" is sometimes called the fuel injection pump. Not exactly sure what it does, but I think it is important. Took mine off one time. After that could not get the engine started. So I put it back on and it's been starting right up ever since!!!

Much info here.

Name these parts, to help new members.

Louis.

The ALDA device is located on the top rear area of the fuel injection (IP) pump.

It is flat and square, approximately 2" X 2" X 1" made of aluminum. It has a large retaining type nut on the underside, a single vacuum hose attatching, and a 1/2 X 1/2" diameter tip on the centered on top. This is the adjusting set screw you use to adjust the ALDA. It has a plastic seal you will need to break to access. NOTE: I placed my ALDA in a vise, and carefully cut with a fine hacksaw blade the metal barrel the plastic seal is housed in. Very easy to do. It exposes a set screw with lock-nut. Just place a dab of axle grease over it when done adjusting. Also, if you can blow by mouth into the vac hose barb and it does not hold pressure, it's shot, and needs to be replaced.

You'll need a vac/pressure guage to test between ALDA and switchover valve. Never run without this switchover disconnected as it will cancel your wastegate valve that as mentioned in the post above, limits over-boost.