Hello,

I have just acquired a "new" 1985 300TD. I am preparing to begin some general maintenance procedures, but I have noticed that my engine layout is not the same as any of the other 300TDs I have seen.

The air cleaner on my car is not between the valve cover and the right fender; it is on the passenger side of the engine but it is just behind the headlights. My title does say 1985 300TD and the VIN does decode as a 1985.

One suggestion is that I have a California-spec car . Is there a way to know that for sure? I would assume the VIN has it there somewhere, maybe in the manufacturer-specific section? Would a picture posted here do the trick? Are there other 1985 300TD layouts?

Thanks everyone.

You are correct, you have a Cali car. air cleaner behind the head light, turbo sits higher, and below the intake/exhaust manifold there is a silver foot ball. that is the trap oxidizer. It is part of the calif emissions equipment.

another fun feature, the starter has the sylinoid on the bottom to clear the trap. a one yr thing, and more costly starter.

Being in Texas this is not required equipment.

Charlie

__________________
there were three HP ratings on the OM616...

1) Not much power
2) Even less power
3) Not nearly enough power!! 240D w/auto

Anyone that thinks a 240D is slow drives too fast.

80 240D Naturally Exasperated, 4-Spd 388k DD 150mph spedo 3:58 Diff

We are advised to NOT judge ALL Muslims by the actions of a few lunatics, but we are encouraged to judge ALL gun owners by the actions of a few lunatics. Funny how that works

Thanks. That was without a doubt the fastest reply to a blog posting I have ever seen!

OK, given that I have a older Cali car which no longer needs to meet any emission checks, what's the advice on simplifying things under the hood? And what sort of parts issues am I going to have? I already know that the transmission filters are different. I didn't see any postings on Cali/Federal model differences.

__________________
Mike Frederick
1986 300SDL, 240K+ miles
1985 300D KaliKar, 270K+ miles

A picture of your engine Bay. compliments of JEREMY5848

Engine Bay Pics


Charlie

__________________
there were three HP ratings on the OM616...

1) Not much power
2) Even less power
3) Not nearly enough power!! 240D w/auto

Anyone that thinks a 240D is slow drives too fast.

80 240D Naturally Exasperated, 4-Spd 388k DD 150mph spedo 3:58 Diff

We are advised to NOT judge ALL Muslims by the actions of a few lunatics, but we are encouraged to judge ALL gun owners by the actions of a few lunatics. Funny how that works

As you see, I have a 85 also, and a Kalikar. I sourced all the parts and changed it like a 83 is set up. I will cost a few bucks scrounging through the wrecking yards. If you can find a set of 78 to 79 W116 300SD manifolds, they don`t have the EGR, so nothing to cap off.

some here of the forum, replace the Trap with a so called "Test Pipe" to bridge the space.

Your rightm the transmission pan is different that other W123`s. I had a problem trying to figure out what I had. the fed model had the same pan as all other 123`s. for some reason the Cali model is different. the W201 uses the same shape pan/gasket. the filter is the same as all other w123`s.

I eliminated all the normal vacuum transmission issues, by replacing it with one from a 240D 4-spd manual.

Charlie

__________________
there were three HP ratings on the OM616...

1) Not much power
2) Even less power
3) Not nearly enough power!! 240D w/auto

Anyone that thinks a 240D is slow drives too fast.

80 240D Naturally Exasperated, 4-Spd 388k DD 150mph spedo 3:58 Diff

We are advised to NOT judge ALL Muslims by the actions of a few lunatics, but we are encouraged to judge ALL gun owners by the actions of a few lunatics. Funny how that works

Thanks for the photos...except my under hood doesn't look like THAT! Is that car even driven? Mine looks like a big black sludge blob.

Since my initial goal is to get a driveable car at low cost, I am going to get this beast cleaned (although I probably won't polish the valve cover as in the photos) and do a bunch of flush/replace fluids/filters first. Oh, and I'm going to replace front rotors and calipers with 1985 300SD vented hardware.

Then once my funds recover, I'll head for the intake changes. Thanks again.

__________________
Mike Frederick
1986 300SDL, 240K+ miles
1985 300D KaliKar, 270K+ miles

Did the conversion on my SD. This may help you understand a little better what is involved.

http://www.peachparts.com/Wikka/OM617CalToFed

__________________
'85 300SD (formerly california emissions)
'08 Chevy Tahoe
'93 Ducati 900 SS
'79 Kawasaki KZ 650
'86 Kawasaki KX 250
'88 Kawasaki KDX200
'71 Hodaka Ace 100
'72 Triumph T100R

Am I wrong in thinking that MB removed those trap oxidizers on some kind of recall?

__________________
1977 300d 70k--sold 08
1985 300TD 185k+
1984 307d 126k--sold 8/03
1985 409d 65k--sold 06
1984 300SD 315k--daughter's car
1979 300SD 122k--sold 2/11
1999 Fuso FG Expedition Camper
1993 GMC Sierra 6.5 TD 4x4
1982 Bluebird Wanderlodge CAT 3208--Sold 2/13

Trap Oxidizer, LINKS thread
Trap Oxidizer, LINKS thread







.

__________________
ASE Master Mechanic
asemastermechanic@juno.com

Prototype R&D/testing:
Thermal & Aerodynamic System Engineering (TASE) Senior vehicle instrumentation technician.
Noise Vibration and Harshness (NVH).
Dynamometer.
Heat exchanger durability.
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Technical Quality Auditor.
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1985 300SD
1983 300D
1984 190D
2003 Volvo V70
2002 Honda Civic

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