Does anyone here have a tutorial or instructions on how to open the Alda on a 617 engine?
I saw my friend do his kinda fast but i couldnt get the details of the procedure,i basically saw him open the alda using 2 wrenches(sizes unknown) then he placed a very thin washer inside,i do not know what were those wrench sizes and the washer size,i do know his car goes way faster now.
Someone please??

read everything you can find by searching this forum about this subject, and then ponder if you really want to do this and know the pros and cons, it would suck to take some bad info and destroy your engine. Knowlage is power.

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'79 240D
'79 300SD

those that are missed:
'80 300TD bandit
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The ALDA is the last thing that should be adjusted on the engine. Only after everything else is properly adjusted and working as it was designed should you consider altering the ALDA.

As it was designed?? exactly what i dont want,these cars were very slow when new,i do not want that.
Im just looing for specific information relating to the procedure.
Anyone??

"As designed" meaning that time, wear and neglect has left most all these cars slower than they should be and they are no longer running right. Getting everything working correctly first is exactly what you should do before you ever consider changing things from stock.

Adjusting the ALDA is just a bandaid to cover up other problems that need to be fixed. If everything is working properly then adjusting the ADLA should only increase black smoke out the tailpipe. If you adjust it and there is a major gain in acceleration then your engine/injection pump has a big problem.

It's a fairly common problem for the IP to provide less fuel as the components wear and adjusting the ALDA is a perfectly acceptable procedure despite some of the arrogant comment that you've been getting on here. In fact, the individual making the comments doesn't even have an ALDA on his vehicle.

So, let's get to it:

On the top of the ALDA is a locknut and an adjusting screw (provided that you don't have a virgin alda with these components sealed inside a sheet metal can).

Loosen the locknut and carefully turn the adjusting screw 1/2 turn counterclockwise. I'm quite deliberate with the word "carefully" because the screw might be somewhat stuck after 20 years and you don't want to force it. If you force it and snap off the slot at the top............the game is over. So, add some penetrating oil if necessary and take your time.

After you make the adjustment, take the vehicle for a drive and see if you get any smoke a full pedal and low rpm's. If you don't, then repeat the procedure for another 1/2 turn. Same test. By the third adjustment (1 1/2 turns) there should definitley be visible smoke on takeoff. You'll be wasting a touch of fuel at that point but you can leave it there if you don't routimely mash the pedal from a standing start.

That means its time for a pump rebuild or to get it re-tuned on a flow bench.

Please post the CORRECT information, I have removed my ALDA. This was only AFTER I got the engine into proper spec AND installed a turbo that provides substantially more air at lower RPMs than the stock turbo.

Why must everyone be so confrontational today? (Not just on this forum) People ask what to do and I tell them the correct way to do it. Their response? "NO! I wanna do it the lazy/quick/easy/shortcut/cheap/shade-tree/ricer way just because you said not to, so there! "

There really ARE important things that need to be checked/adjusted before touching the ALDA.

Valve adjustment
Linkage adjustment/travel
Linkage bushings
Banjo bolt
Wastegate hose condition
Overboost protection system
Boost pressure
Injector spray pattern/pop pressure
Vacuum system operation
etc.

Adjusting the ALDA before that can mask any or all of those common problems. Once all those areas have been covered is when the ALDA should be adjusted.

How about placing of a washer inside the alda?
Know about that?
Thanks for al of the pointers guys.

Two 27mm (or 1-1/16") wrenches are used to remove the ALDA from its captive nut. Shimming the ALDA has the exact same effect as adjusting the screw.

How were you to know whether OP did any of the recommended tasks?

Is it your job to ensure that the OP performs all the maintenance tasks prior to adjusting the ALDA?

He asked a simple question. You decided to give him an arrogant answer without answering his question. I gave him the infor that he requested. In the future you should consider the same with the caveat that other maintenance chores might be required.............or, he might have already done them..............he's been on the forum for 2 1/2 years..............

Thats how.

Maybe I just should have said "Do a search, thats been covered many times before."

He didn't understand what you originally stated..........and you don't understand what he stated. Great give and take...........

Sure............go right ahead and do that. Others will step in and make you look foolish............but, your post count will be +1.

Hi I have two short wrenches a 24 and a 27mm ready to open up my alda on a slow poke 300d,ive done all other necessary tune up procedures to speed it up but it just wont go fast,good compression,linkage etc etc,valves adjusted you name it,now I even have the right size washers to put in the alda but I 1st have a few questions.
1.how does the bolt turn on the bottom? 27mm clockwise or counterclockwise while the upper 24mm just holds it??

2.How many washers can I put in there 1 or two? Is there one in there already? Should I toss it/

Thanking you in advance

Whats your waste gate topping out at? Can you describe how the car accelerates? Sure your linkage is adjusted properly (is it hitting max stop)? Injectors are cleaned and popping properly? IP timed properly? Cam timed properly? Valves adjusted properly? IP bench tested?

After time the aneroid capsules in the ALDA will not react as quickly as they should and may need replacement. Adjusting them will really not correct the issue, just a bandaid fix.

These cars are hardly slow if you really have done everything possible. Did you really drive one of these new off the lot?

Adjusting your ALDA will *NOT* damage your engine. Something like removing the rack limiter might (and it also might make you car drive like a bat out of hell).

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1995 E420 Schwarz
1995 E300 Weiss
#1987 300D Sturmmachine
#1991 300D Nearly Perfect
#1994 E320 Cabriolet
#1995 E320 Touring
#1985 300D Sedan
OBK #42

Take a look at these two articles, they may help.
http://www.dieselgiant.com/mercedesaldaboostsystemservi.htm
http://articles.mbz.org/engine/diesel/alda

Hope it helps and yes there are other things that are good to do on the engine but keep at it and do them all. With doing all the things people have listed it can be surprising the difference it can make.

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1983 300SD
200000miles