You can remove the ALDA without removing the plastic fuel line clip, you just have to slide the clip back toward the back of the car. I was afraid to remove the clip on mine, becuase if it didn't break on removal, I am sure it would have putting it back on.

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87 300D - Running on Veggie oil; 260,000 plus miles; Original #14 head

I removed the intake manifold first as I had to do glow plugs. Then I removed that protective cap on there so I could adjust later on.

A small 10mm wrench fits up in there barely to loosen that locknut, then that piece of hacksaw blade to adjust. I can take a pic if needed to show.

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I'm not a doctor, but I'll have a look.

'85 300SD 245k
'87 300SDL 251k
'90 300SEL 326k

Six others from BMW, GM, and Ford.

Liberty will not descend to a people; a people must raise themselves to liberty.[/IMG]

I'm beginning to understand the attraction of these W126-bodies with the 603s.

This morning, using Marko and Brian's instructions I pulled the ALDA on Sybill, car of many personalities. It only took about 2 minutes to get it out and discover that she's no virgin (her ALDA maidenhead was already gone!!). But, 1 1/2 turns CCW later she runs like new; shifts better and is much more driveable too. Absolutely amazing!

Left to do:
1) New tires. At least on the front...one is out of round and cannot be balanced properly.
2) Take her back for another alignment (still pulls to the right after two trips to the shop)
3) Remove the glove box and permanently move the fresh air flap to 100% recirc.
4) Order and install sheepskins for the front seats.
5) Remove rear seat back and have bad stitching resewn.

It's been a long road since she first arrived on the property in December of 2004. Now that this one is almost done, I can move on to the next project of getting that 5-speed out of the Euro and into Marlene the wonder wagon!!

Thanks everyone for all your help!

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Never a dull moment at Berry Hill Farm.

Brian,
What do you use to clean your engine? TELL ME PLEASE!

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91 350SD
14 F150 Eco
19 Fusion Hybrid
11 GT500

..........I just wish that was my engine..........

That looks like BodyArt's engine...disgustingly sanitary.

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Never a dull moment at Berry Hill Farm.

It shouldn't smoke starting out much at all - that's the sign that you went too far. It should give maybe one puff of smoke when mashing the pedal leaving a stop sign, but that's it. You want to adjust CCW (richer) until there is no more power gain felt *off idle*. Beyond that point, you're making smoke and not power. Don't look for smoke at WOT, that's affected by the internal full-load fuel delivery (for increasing peak power), but that's a whoooole separate topic.

The transmission shifts will be improved, because the tranny signal is largely based on percentage of throttle opening... it's expecting a certain amount of power at a given throttle opening, and before, you had the pedal way down with very little power produced. Now, it's all better.

BTW, thanks for posting the photos, Brian... saved me the trouble of digging them up! They're also posted on my website (click link in my signature below).

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Dave
Boise, ID
Check out my website photos, documents, and movies!

I'm the one who should be thanking you, Dave. Nobody has better photos and documentation on the 603.

RLeo, your car looks just like my new one!

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91 350SD
14 F150 Eco
19 Fusion Hybrid
11 GT500

I pulled mine and went 1 turn CCW, didn't notice any difference. So now that the seal is removed are you saying I could crank it a little more with a hacksaw blade and 10mm wrench while it is still on the car?

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Brian
87 300Dturbo 180K #14 head still running R-12 SOLD 12/2017
02 F350 Powerstroke 180K
05 Chevy Express 1 ton w/Royal Utility box 120K
08 Infiniti FX-35 40K
15 Golf Sportwagen TDI 35K
10 Sprinter 3500 chassis with a Class A Winnebago on it. 56K

Yes, that's how I adjust mine with it in place.

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I'm not a doctor, but I'll have a look.

'85 300SD 245k
'87 300SDL 251k
'90 300SEL 326k

Six others from BMW, GM, and Ford.

Liberty will not descend to a people; a people must raise themselves to liberty.[/IMG]

Wow, I think if the car ran like that the seller would not have sold it! My 87 sedan is now able to leave a stop sign w/o making a reservation. And no change in smoke, either on SVO or #2 or biodiesel.

However..... in loosening the ALDA I broke off the white plastic nipple for the engine shutoff solonoid vacuum line. Any ideas? superglue? Remove intake and tap the plastic with a new nipple?

Paul

1) I wouldn't leave the ALDA removed - adjust it properly, and re-install. I don't get why everyone is so anxious to totally remove it.

2) If you broke nipple off the plastic shutoff valve, I'd just replace the whole part. It's not that expensive. You might be able to glue it back on, but if not, I think you'll be stuck replacing it.

What's your concern about this, Dave, other than the obvious situation of no overboost protection??

What's the problem? I've had mine off for 5 months without any negative issues.