300TD W124 Stubborn ALDA Removal
 

So short of removing the intake manifold to get the ALDA off, does anyone have any trade secrets?

I have the 24mm wrench which sits perfectly on the ALDA and the Channel Locks for the stubborn nut below (which spins both easily I might add)!

I have used all my strength holding the channel locks still while attempted to budge that ALDA (CCW if I remember correctly).

I read these forums regularly now and I enjoy good posts, I see that in one thread another 300TD owner had to move the diesel lines that run near it to pull his out, I can't even get the ALDA to unthread from the nut! I have a pretty good angle but I assume it hasn't been removed in 200,xxx miles and is holding strong, I used WD40 (not the best stuff I know) and PB whatever its called but to no avail.

Ultimately I do not want to have to remove the intake mani. so I am looking for suggestions to adjusting my ALDA!

Thanks for reading!:D

I removed the top cap and adjusted mine in place. Big pain, cramping fingers, but it worked and I got my turn-and-a-half.

Are you kidding me?? What did you use to get in there?! I didn't think there was a tool made that would fit in there for adjustment!:eek:

Loosening the lock-nut was easy, turning the screw I believe I used a bent piece of metal, a sabre-saw blade or something. Tedious is a kind way to put it, but I didn't have a manifold gasket on-hand.

Wow talk about crazy patients; well it definitely has to be done and I don't want to replace the manifold gasket myself just to find out it need more/less tweaking. How does the cover pop off?

I guess I will find out 2morrow if I don't hear back from ya! :D

Here is how you do it:

You really need two wrenches...........the channel locks are your problem when it gets this tight.

Position the two wrenches..........one on the ALDA and one on the nut..........so that you can squeeze both of them with one hand. The upper wrench for the ALDA needs to be just a bit clockwise from the lower wrench on the nut............maybe 5 degrees..........not more.

When you get them positioned properly, you squeeze the two wrenches together and it's almost a certainty that you'll break the bond. If not, add a touch of heat to the nut prior to the attempt...........with a propane torch.............then, it's guaranteed.

The Alda cap doesn't really pop off, it is crimped, and a long sharp screwdriver will eventually tear it off, just don't put a lot of side force onto the center and damage the screw inside.

I've done this successfully on three cars, and am still too stubborn to keep a spare intake manifold gasket around. Maybe I should order one.

Yeah I definitely caught on about the squeezing the 24mm wrench and the channel locks together quickly; although that has not worked so far, I don't have a propane torch however my mechanic does and if he would have answered his phone this weekend I would have been out there using it by now! haha

What size is the nut 27mm? I noticed it was bigger as the 24mm only grabs the ALDA, at least I could not get it over the nut.

I don't know if I feel up to doing this as I can barely get an angle that I can see the top of the unit. I wish you lived in NJ, I'd pay to fill up your tank for the help!

I believe the size of the nut is 25mm, but, I haven't checked it. The 24mm doesn't quite fit, as you are aware.

Don't attempt to do anything to the adjusting screw with the ALDA in place. That's a guaranteed disaster. You must remove the ALDA. BTW, once you do get it off.........drive the vehicle around without it. You may love it so much that you never put it back. None of my 603's have an ALDA.........and I don't miss it one bit.

Yeah I have read that none of your 603's have a ALDA on it; I think my plan is to take it off and do 1&1/2 turns, put it back on to get the car inspected and then perhaps take it off after inspection.

As for Jeff's suggestion to do the adjusting with it on, his experience proves that he can do it efficiently. I on the other hand don't even think I can get my hands in there with any tools, it looks like less than a half of an inch of space!

More power to Jeff though for pulling that off successfully multiple times!;)

I still need to find a used pass. side rear sls strut and fix my parking brake for I got back into the inspection line! (I live in NJ no they won't pass me for driving there)

I'll bet you a case of beer that the "inspector" will not have a clue that the ALDA even exists..........much less the fact that its missing. Just don't leave any open hoses or obviously plugged hoses.

If black smoke comes out the rear during the emissions test you don't think that's going to throw out a red flag? I don't think they pop the hood emissions is what I was worried about! haha

What I did was to put a large screwdriver against the side of the ALDA and the shut off valve and turn the nut attached to the IP. The ALDA broke loose pretty easily. It only has to turn about 1/4 turn before you can use your fingers to get it off.

I have driven about 700 miles with no ALDA and I love it! Great pick up from a standstill and it only smokes when I want it to ;)

I also got approximately 28mpg highway with it off (one tank so far) I will check it again today

Unless he mashes the pedal to the floor, you won't get any smoke. What type of test do you have..........rolling chassis dyno........??

We don't have any tests on diesels in NY...........so, I'm not up on the tests.

HAHAHAAA... Your right Brian I may be wrong in their testing strategies; well after work I guess I will have to hit sears back up for a 25mm wrench since I can not find anyone around here that has mm wrenches that high. Hopefully that will help me crack this tension.