Trap Oxidizer Question
 

Hey everyone, again a new thread sorry don't mean to post them one after another, but it was off topic of the other one.

Anywho, I didn't realize what a trap oxidizer was and until now decided to read about and go check my 1985 300D Turbo California. I was reading the old ones are football-like and so I went to check it out. I'm pretty sure mine has the old one. First thing tomorrow i'm calling up Mercedes to have them run the vin just in case and setting up a time to get that s*** swapped out. My question is:

How much damage could have been caused by running the old one for so long? The car has 148,000 miles and was also running without an airfilter for a few months :mad: me thinking everything is all peachy.... I'm learning more and more about these cars everyday....it's actually pretty cool! :D thanks everyone!

Shouldnt have caused any damage as its downwind of the turbo...running without an air filter is more dangerous I think!

The TrapOx is before the turbo.

If any damage was done to the turbo from ceramic material breaking off, MB will replace the turbo for free when they do the recall.

yeah wasn't too pleased when I found out about that lol. Ok woot, so tomorrow will be junkyard and then Mercedes Benz!!! I'll ask them to see how much that O-ring will be to replace. I'm excited! :D Also, will there be an improvement in anything once the trap oxidizer has been replaced?

you should call your local dealer with your VIN in hand before you waste your time. They will tell you if it has been performed already.

Or you can look up the part number in Diesel Discussion and check the numbers on the 'football' to identify which you have. It was most likely performed.

there is still debate.

but only if your current unit is clogged with soot.

Ditto. The replacement looks like a football too, so unless you really know what to look for, you're making a big assumption thinking you have the original oxidizer.

I did the search for you. From http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/diesel-discussion/49978-trap-oxidizer-85-td-post290704.html

"The original trap oxidizer was part number 617-142-00-94, it was replaced with an oxidation catalyst p/n 617-142-02-94."

Interesting. My trap cat (the dealer confirms replacement of the trap ox with the later trap cat) carries part number A 126 490 34 14. (1985 300D-T, W123, OM617.952). Wonder what the difference (if any) is. Since the trap cat has been temporarily replaced with a test pipe, the point is moot but I'm curious anyway.

Jeremy

Well crap, I was going by Jeremy's part number. I know mine starts with 617, but don't remember the rest. Should have written it down. Thanks for posting the part number, now I have to find out for sure which one I have.

Please let us know what you find out. The 1985 300SD also had the trap cat in California versions; I wonder if that is where the 126 number came from? Ah, I have it, from EPC:

1985 300D-T (W123, OM617.952)
A 617 142 00 94 "Soot filter"
"replaced by"
A 617 142 02 94 "The old part must no longer be installed in this place"
"replaced by"
A 126 490 34 14 "For California from model year 1985"

So the 126 part number is simply the latest version. The first part number is probably the "trap oxidizer." The third part number (the 126 version) is definitely a "trap catalyst." The middle one is "I don't know."

Jeremy

Why is it temporarily replaced? Why not be a permanent fixture.

legality

There was a "Secret" recall for this by Mercedes Benz, which was always free (at first, anyway) and still exists so far as I am aware.

How it's done and paid for varies individual dealer to individual dealer, but the VERY lucky people got their ENTIRE EXHAUST SYSTEM REPLACED FOR FREE at the Mercedes Benz dealer that performed the recall work, sometimes.

Only on 86-87 models because the OxCat was relocated to under the body. 85 got only the OxCat replacement and the turbo, if it was damaged by TrapOx failure.

I have verified my part number to include the dreaded 00.. Great. Now to write down the VIN, and see if they will entertain the recall.

Called the dealer today, and sure enough, he said I have an open campain on the car. He asked me when I wanted to come in and have it done. Told him I'd call him soon. (After the other 300D is gone, after the head gasket job, after........) I know mine isn't the last one to get done, but it sure seems like it.

Don't let them sell you anything!

Ditto. The recall should be free. No labor, no parts, no services, no tax, no shop fees, no disposal fees, nothing. Mercedes pays the dealership all parts and labor costs.

Would the part numbers here be the same for my 1985 300SD? Just trying to determine if I too will need to head to the dealership.

Thanks!

AFAIK, the '85 300SD has the same engine as the '85 300D so the parts should be the same. First step is always to call your VIN to a dealer and have them ask the computer whether your recall is still open.

For anyone else like me that was curious if they are still honoring the recall: both MBUSA and a dealer told me the recall is closed and/or my car already had the work done on it. Which is a lie because my car still has the trap oxidizer with part #617-142-00-94 under the hood.

Nhtsa no longer lists the trap campaign. Emission recalls can have an expiration date. Safety recalls generally do not expire. So the campaign may be closed by time.

Not expert but I think the replacement catalytic converter is shiny metal whereas the original Trap Oxidizer is dark (cast-iron?). My 1985 CA 300D had the cat when I bought it. Might also look at the replacement "test pipe" which Rollguy here sells. I would use that except my 1985 engine failed so have a 1982 engine in it now and can use those federal manifolds if I ever rebuild the 1985 block.

I was told the exact same nonsense.