i was playing with the alda today after lubing the screw on top for like 2 days and i turned it up all the way until the screw was locked all the way counter clockwise and i noticed all it did was blow out more smoke but didnt increase low end power any more than it did where i had it set before.. i had it set to where the car just gave out a little fart of black smoke and anything passed that i would guess would just hurt overall around town fuel mileage... am i right about this?

also when would it be appropriate to turn the screw all the way out or even take the alda off? when adding a vnt? after turning up the full load screw on IP? im just trying to find out as much abt the 617 before i modify it with as much money i can afford to throw into it.

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1985 mercedes benz 300D turbo diesel
1998 VW GTI VR6
1996 VW GTI 2.0
1999 saab 9-3 turbo
1987 300sdl (sold)

The ALDA is just an emissions device. If you drive sensible (not with your foot to the floor everywhere you go) adjusting or removing the ALDA will not affect mileage. If you have boost and pyro gauges within eye movement range, its fine to remove the ALDA but you really should have a VNT to minimize the chance of black smoke emissions.

I thought that counter clockwise increased smoke and power? I played with my alda a little. I was not that impressed with the results by cranking it up. There was noticeably more smoke and a little more power (if you can call a 300D powerful).

If you want more power just drive the GTI/VR6 more. I bought one of those new back in 1997 with 4 miles on it. I should have kept the damn thing. Good little car. I sold it back in 2003 with 193,000 miles and it still looked and drove like the day I bought it.

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AJ

1985 300D (SOLD)

I have seen '85 models with 2 different ALDAs.

does yours have a an exposed screw and lockbolt?

or is it covered by a black cap and not visible under normal circumstances?

was there any factory paint on the screw/ bolt?

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isn't that two different looks at the same device?

I though that the cap was simply a way to keep it from being tampered with.

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1985 300D cali 190K

http://mercedes.thatchermathias.com/mw300d.jpg

what does your have?

same device, yes.. different top half

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this on an '85 Ca model. Mine is Ca also.. but not the same.

No, it isn't important, but I would like to know if some dip#$%^ messed with the setting and replaced the original.

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Same device, no difference. Only one has its tamper proof cap ripped off.

that black cap comes off with the metal cylinder its pressed into?

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man...does mr. clean live under the hood of yours?

here's mine.

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1985 300D cali 190K

http://mercedes.thatchermathias.com/mw300d.jpg

yeah... thats funny. my engine bay is more like an 1850's oil painitng of the industrial revolution compared to this Renaissance era pastel. It may have been one of those $10k ebay finds.

mine is missing the cap and there is no paint

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missed that. LOL

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1985 300D cali 190K

http://mercedes.thatchermathias.com/mw300d.jpg

ya mine is missing the cap and no paint. i meant to type counter clockwise not clockwise and i edited it

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1985 mercedes benz 300D turbo diesel
1998 VW GTI VR6
1996 VW GTI 2.0
1999 saab 9-3 turbo
1987 300sdl (sold)