how do I federalize 1985 300Td??? - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

Steven Kelly · #1 07-31-2005, 12:22 AM

I am interested in removing the bloody trap oxidizer on my 85 300TD (ca) wagon. How do I do this? Is it difficult to do? My mechanic says it is not worth it. I have a 1982 3ood that runs circles around my guttless wagon!!!
Please help. Thank you, Steven Kelly

J. R. B. · #2 07-31-2005, 12:29 AM

Mercedes fixes it for free. Call them, give them your VIN and they will tell you if the work has already been done.

Steven Kelly · #3 07-31-2005, 07:34 PM

Thank you for your reply. I have spoken with Mercedes. The trap oxidezer was removed and replaced back in the early 90's. Can this item be removed? bypassed? my 1982 300 TD seems to run so much better. I sure hope I am making sense. Can you remove the trap/bypass?
Thank you for your time, Steve Kelly

boneheaddoctor · #4 07-31-2005, 07:35 PM

you need a exhaust manifold, turbo, intake manifold, headpipe and Air cleaner assembly...basicly anything hanging off the right side of the engine...You should be able to do this for under $250 using junkyard parts.

P.E.Haiges · #5 07-31-2005, 08:34 PM

Kelly,

Paint it olive drab or sand color and donate it the Army. Then it will be federalized LOL

If the trap oxidizer (TO) was removed, you don't have one. But a catalytic converter (CC) was installed when the TO was removed. So maybe your CC is plugged. You could test this by replacing the CC with a test pipe (TP). If this test shows the CC is plugged maybe you could forget to replace the TP.

P E H

russb · #6 07-31-2005, 09:05 PM

The IP springs are also different.
Do you see an increase in power when you get to about 3,000 RPM?
The Federal kicks in at about 2,000 RPM.
To Change that you have to pull the IP pump and change the springs. Best left to a place that works on Bosh pumps.
Adjusting the ALDA will have NO effect on this, as it is built into the IP pump.
That's another feature of the CA. model.

vwbuge · #7 07-31-2005, 10:18 PM

No need to fool with the IP.

This is all you need......

emissions swap...part one

J. R. B. · #8 07-31-2005, 10:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by P.E.Haiges

Kelly,

Paint it olive drab or sand color and donate it the Army. Then it will be federalized LOL

If the trap oxidizer (TO) was removed, you don't have one. But a catalytic converter (CC) was installed when the TO was removed. So maybe your CC is plugged. You could test this by replacing the CC with a test pipe (TP). If this test shows the CC is plugged maybe you could forget to replace the TP.

P E H

PEH This question is for you. Last winter Dad and I did the valves on his 85 Kalifornia. We had the trap oxidizer off and when I looked into the thing all it was was an in and out affair. A call to Mercedes confirmed that they did a conversion in the early 90's. I even looked in the thing with a flexible flashlight. Any thoughts on the thing? We reinstalled it.

P.E.Haiges · #9 08-01-2005, 01:25 AM

J. R. B.,

I only know what the trap oxidizers and replacement on the 603 engines look like. On those the trap oxidizer was replaced by a catalytic converter under the floor.

Maybe the replacement on the 617 engines was different and the replacement by the engine was a straight pipe.

P E H

J. R. B. · #10 08-01-2005, 08:24 AM

PEH--The replacement for the 617 looks just like a trap oxidizer only it is empty, just an in one end and out the other affair.

lietuviai · #11 08-01-2005, 11:12 AM

The item which you guys are talking about is an oxidizing catalyst, very similar to a CC. it has the appearance of squared off honey combs when looking trough it. It is basically an in and out configuration.
It's a bit more involved than just swapping out the manifolds and turbo especially if you want to use a stock air filter set up. There's really no way to hook up the oil separator unless you wanted to replace the upper oil pan.

I ended up plugging mine off at the bottom of the air cleaner. Also you have to carefully bend the A/C line that runs in front of the valve cover so you can make the "S" pipe fit from the turbo to the air cleaner.
Easiest thing is to go VWbuge's way and use a K&N filter.
I wouldn't do it again if I had the choice. I'd just get a non CA version if I wanted an '85.

J. R. B. · #12 08-01-2005, 06:42 PM

Lietuviai. That's just it I don't even have the honeycombs in there. It's just an empty can with one pipe going in and one out. A call with the vin to Mercedes verified that they did the work. The turbo is in perfect condition so I am assuming that Mercedes took care of that too.

lietuviai · #13 08-02-2005, 11:38 AM

Thats odd. When I pulled mine I looked in the outlets to see what's in one and I noticed it kind of looked like fine meshlike honeycombs. Mine had about 60K on it and it was a replacement.

J. R. B. · #14 08-02-2005, 05:06 PM

Maybe some prior mechanic gutted the thing. If so--good.

lietuviai · #15 08-03-2005, 11:16 AM

It might be but then having a chamber where exhaust gases expand and then have to be compressed slightly to go through the exhaust system may not be the best thing for a diesel. I bet it sounds strange.

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