Trap oxidizer campaign # - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

stephenc03 · #1 07-10-2008, 01:36 PM

I have an 85 300SD that has some type of trap on it. People on other threads have suggested that if there is a number on the trap it has been replaced. I cannot find a number anywhere on it. I went to the dealer and had them look up the VIN. One of the campaign numbers (1996120001) says it was "closed" on 12/3/96. In the vehicle history it lists two services to the trap oxi. once in 95 with 150,000 miles saying "dirty/clogged" and the other in 2001 with 160,000 miles citing "insufficient eff". What does that mean? Is there a place where you can go to enter in campaign numbers or claim numbers to see exactly what happened? I am still not sure that the trap has been replaced. I was under the understanding the when everything was all said and done, the SD would look like all the other SD with the airfilter housing on top and a straigt pipe from the turbo. Thanks, Stephen

suginami · #2 07-10-2008, 02:11 PM

Trap Oxidizer Campaign

stephenc03 · #3 07-10-2008, 03:18 PM

I followed the link above to the thread. It notes that in december 96 they introduced the catalist as a recall campaign. MY reciept from the dealer lists the campaign number and the start date of december 3rd 1996. It says that the status of this campaign is "CLOSED" and the campaign type is a service. Under the vehicle history it does not list any such service performed. What is it supposed to look like under your hood after they have performed to recall? does any one have pictures? I have seen other pictures on this forum but I cannot distinguish between the trap oxidizer and the catalyst. Thanks,
Stephen

#4 07-10-2008, 05:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stephenc03

What is it supposed to look like under your hood after they have performed to recall?

On the 85 models the only ways to determine its had the recall are by the dealer records and part number stamped on the Trap.

stephenc03 · #5 07-10-2008, 05:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ForcedInduction

On the 85 models the only ways to determine its had the recall are by the dealer records and part number stamped on the Trap.

This is why I am so confused because the trap doesn't have a number anywhere on it. Of all the pictures that I have seen they are visible from under the hood. I have been under and felt around the trap and cannot see or feel anything stamped onto it.
-Stephen

Jeremy5848 · #6 07-10-2008, 09:01 PM

The attached photo shows the trap catalyst (NOT trap oxidizer) that I recently removed (for testing purposes

) from my '85 300D Turbo (CA). If your car has had the trap ox replaced with a trap cat, it should look like mine. If not, I have no idea what it would look like, I've never seen a trap oxidizer.

Your long term plan should be to install a complete Federal intake-exhaust system w/o trap cat on your car or have a "test pipe" built to replace the trap cat. I did the latter; a photo of my test pipe is attached.

Jeremy

stephenc03 · #7 07-10-2008, 09:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jeremy5848

The attached photo shows the trap catalyst (NOT trap oxidizer) that I recently removed (for testing purposes

) from my '85 300D Turbo (CA). If your car has had the trap ox replaced with a trap cat, it should look like mine. If not, I have no idea what it would look like, I've never seen a trap oxidizer.

Your long term plan should be to install a complete Federal intake-exhaust system w/o trap cat on your car or have a "test pipe" built to replace the trap cat. I did the latter; a photo of my test pipe is attached.

Jeremy

So for the life of me i cant figure out what I have. But for argument sake, assume that I do infact have the trap catalyst. What is the benefit of switching to the straight pipe over the cataylst? I assume that it would decrease horse power by a little bit. Does anyone know how much power it takes away from the engine? anyother ideas as to why the straight pipe is better?
-Stephen

Jeremy5848 · #8 07-10-2008, 09:38 PM

OM617 w/trap ox or cat = 118 HP
OM617 w/o trap cat or ox = 123 HP
per Mercedes shop manual; I could feel the improvement in my '85.

Increase in fuel efficiency also comes from removing the cat, 2-3 MPG are the numbers I've heard -- mine is too newly converted for me to have data.

#9 07-10-2008, 11:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stephenc03

anyother ideas as to why the straight pipe is better?

The only thing the trap does is filter soot from the exhaust to make the exhaust coming out the tailpipe look cleaner. HC, CO2 and NOx Emissions are higher, fuel consumption is higher and horsepower is lower with the trap installed. Its an exhaust restriction.

The TrapOx/OxCat are a "feel good" emissions device, there is no visible exhaust (smoke) out the tailpipe so it makes people think the car is cleaner when it is actually dirtier and more harmful.

bolzano · #10 07-11-2008, 12:00 AM

Quote:

Your long term plan should be to install a complete Federal intake-exhaust system w/o trap cat on your car or have a "test pipe" built to replace the trap cat. I did the latter; a photo of my test pipe is attached.

Cool. I too live in California. I have a Calif 1985 300SD in Los Angeles County. I have not modified it. We have smog check here. Have only owned it one yr . Registered it without needing a smog check.

Does a 300SD ever need a smog check? If it ever does, will the test pipe cause a problem? Thanks.

Jeremy5848 · #11 07-11-2008, 12:29 AM

Diesels are exempt in California. That said, the law can always change and local jurisdictions could always have their own stricter versions if the state allows that (do they?). If a smog check were required, it would depend on the strictness of the test and the experience of the inspectors.

Since the trap reduces visible soot only on a cold engine, you can remove the trap and drive the car to the inspection; by the time you get there, the engine will be warm and won't smoke. You will pass.

Clearly, engines that are obviously boogered will cause suspicion so do a neat job. In our engines, the trap is hidden underneath so its loss may not be noticed. When I had my test pipe made, I kept my trap cat so that if requirements ever change, I can put it back on. In any case, I suspect that older cars would be grandfathered into any new law -- they wouldn't pass tests designed for new diesels anyway and so would not be included.

Jeremy

#12 07-11-2008, 12:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jeremy5848

Since the trap reduces visible soot only on a cold engine, you can remove the trap and drive the car to the inspection; by the time you get there, the engine will be warm and won't smoke. You will pass.

It always filters the exhaust. Most places have a 20% opacity limit for diesel emissions, if your car smokes enough to fail/smoke that bad then it has some big problems that need to be fixed anyways. Most 300D/CD/TD/SD cars will test in the 2-8% opacity range when in proper tune.

stephenc03 · #13 07-11-2008, 10:29 AM

A good friend of mine has a 78 240D. He got a thing in the mail from the DMV saying that someone on the road recognized his car a "gross polluter". I guess this witness got his lisence plate number and sent it into the DMV. Anyway, it has a bunch of literature with it saying all the things that he needs to do so that he isn't a gross polluter. He has to take it intoa smog place and things of that nature. Somewhere on the document it has a check box that says "my vehicle is a diesel". He checked the box, sent it in, and hasn't heard from them since. This was about three years ago. Unless the government is going to make it ilegal for diesel sedans to be on the road, they cannot touch us. Besides the hippies would throw fit. God knows we dont want to upset the hippies. Just kidding.
-Stephen

stephenc03 · #14 07-11-2008, 10:32 AM

How do you find someone or aproach them to alter your exhuast? In most states this would probably be considered illegal, especially california.
-Stephen