ALDA Functionality - Page 2 - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

Oldwolf · #16 09-10-2010, 12:09 PM

On the rare occasion I really nail my accelerator pedal on my 602.96, I immediately get a "pouring on the coals" cloud and then the exhaust will turn a light brown in a matter of a second or two. When I first got my car I thought that the black smoke was just from blowing out the carbon, but now I know the ALDA is just doing its job. I never really thought yet about adjusting it though. Are you saying I shouldn't be seeing that black cloud?

babymog · #17 09-10-2010, 01:18 PM

Factory (per FSM) adjustment is no visible smoke. Yours is just fine IMO, a little more off-boost enrichment means a little more poke off the line and a little faster spool-up at the expense of a bit of fuel and soot.

Oldwolf · #18 09-10-2010, 01:24 PM

OK thanks. There is always something to learn about or fix on these cars.

koya1893 · #19 09-10-2010, 10:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by funola

You ask people to not comment about the hydrogen system but you keep sneaking it in your posts asking for help. Sure you are not just trying to generate business?

My intent on my questions are to get familiar with this well engineered machine, and yes I am trying to match its performance capability to what I can control with the Hydrogen system. More I know how this engine runs and knowing what affects it, better I can understand the affect of the hydrogen. No, I am not trying to generate business from any forum member. In all honesty I don't do that all the result from those experiencing the result brings people to me (like a member rinning on WVO).

I am not familiar with the system (WVO) but I understand that it is the lowest performance producing fuel for this engine. So he wanted to try it, too bad I can't get him to public to admit the additional power he is experiencing with his car. Maybe soon.

Thus far, my testing with adjusting the ALDA revealed to me, as I increase the adjustment CW I needed to increase the hydrogen production so I don't sacrifice the "off the line" performance and the throttle response during acceleration during higher speed (60-79 mph).

The other intention of the initial question is to understand the reasoning why is it removed or what affect one can feel when it is not functioning properly. Now once I stated in my post anything about hydrogen, it seemply to understand for removal completely and any sign of it about to fail or have fail. Thus far, this post has taken another path I still don't see the reason why others remove the ALDA or anyone giving me any a sample of what I can experienced when it is about to fail or have fail.

Since I don't see and black smoke from the line and the only time I see black smoke is when I punch it momentarily it would be a intelligent conclution that the ALDA on my car is functioning properly and reacting to what adjustment I am making.

To summarize, I will not get a straight answer from anyone due the fact they relate my questions to hydrogen and trying to promote some business. sorry, being retired for the second time $$ is not the focal point for my daily tinkering, it's merely trying to school myself on subject I never had the vain for to learn. One thing you might want to take inconsideration when I ask basic question. THIS IS MY FIRST MB AND DIESEL ENGINE. Yes I will continue to ask questions about what I don't understand about this car and I definitely ignore any negative remarks about HHO.

4x4_Welder · #20 09-11-2010, 12:31 AM

If you don't want the comments about your brown gas generator, then stop mentioning it.
FWIW, I HAVE real-world experience with that system, and it's a crock. Installed on an interstate hauling rig, set up exactly per the instructions, and returned a -0- mpg change. I think we actually picked up .001mpg when it was removed thanks to the weight loss. These trucks are carefully monitored for every mile driven and every gallon used since the drivers get an extra bonus for mileage. Average for these trucks is about 4.5mpg, at 98,000-110,000lbs.

No matter how hard you try, you will NEVER get more out of this process than you put in, it is against the laws of thermodynamics. If this was truly a net gain process rather than a net loss, then hydrogen would be the main fuel in use now.

mach0415 · #21 09-11-2010, 04:42 AM

I admire your wanting to learn more about MB and the fact that this SD is your first diesel, as is mine. If you want REAL performance, propane injection will do wwwaaayyy more than HHO injection. But, these engines were not meant to give us whiplash. Efficient longevity is the key. Any engine mod aside from MB factory engineered spec will detract from that. If these engines were cheap to fix and plentiful to replace, it may be another story. Some may argue against that statement. Significant mods that also allow for long life are costly and out of most of our price range. Konstan is on the right track by rebuilding his engine (see his thread) to make it "new" again. As these engines are tiring out on us, we will all have to consider rebuilding them to get another 250-500k out of them to perform like new again. Remember, diesels run on good compression and adequate fuel delivery, which factors into boost pressure. You can spend enough money messing with devices to improve economy and performance to replace or rebuild what you've got already w/o the hassle of HHO efficiency, adjustment, overheat, electrolyte levels and service, design, hazards, etc.

Yeah, I would think that as many diesel transfer trucks found in the trucking and fleet industry EVERY company would be running these things on their trucks to increase profit by decreasing fuel consumption - especially with diesel being higher than its been in the last 10 years, or so. Therefore, the market determines what works and what does not work. And based upon this evidence, aside from my own experience, it doesn't work enough to draw the ire of those who would benefit the most from it. Besides, the fallout from chromium contamination, due to the chromium being drawn out of SS in the electrolysis process weighs pretty heavy on environmental and increased cancer level fallout found by Erin Brockovich.

toomany MBZ · #22 09-11-2010, 07:48 AM

I have no dog in this HHO thing, but I think the OP has a fine example of something to try that system out on.

winmutt · #23 09-11-2010, 08:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by babymog

Lovecraft has met its match.

babymog · #24 09-11-2010, 12:23 PM

So in your most recent post you typed "Hydrogen" or HHO six times, made several claims as to its efficiency and performance increases, claim 6 vehicles in your sig as "hybrid", you're definately trying to promote it. You'll have better luck over at a less educated forum, start with a Honda tuning forum (or are they already saturated?).

I and a few other members here have been trying to help you regardless, which is typical of our forum, and your comment " I will not get a straight answer from anyone due the fact they relate my questions to hydrogen ..." is a slap in the face, expect no further help from me.

Gillig · #25 09-11-2010, 06:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mach0415

propane injection will do wwwaaayyy more than HHO injection.

Yes, it will blow out your headgasket as soon as the propane detonates on the glowing ball in the prechamber. Even small amounts do it, the detonation is just too quiet to hear over the tire/road/wind/engine noise.

Quote:

Any engine mod aside from MB factory engineered spec will detract from that.

Says you. These engines are an evolution of a platform that was designed in the 1950's and 60's (OM615 and its older OM621 brother) and owners have had decades to learn what MB couldn't in their artificial "accelerated life" testing. I give kudos to koya1893 for at least trying, however misguided his efforts are.

Quote:

If these engines were cheap to fix and plentiful to replace, it may be another story.

They are. There wouldn't be so many of them around if that weren't the case (research the S/SL/CL 600 models for a good example of that).

mach0415 · #26 09-11-2010, 07:00 PM

It is true that propane injection does blow engines. I do not disagree with that. BUT, since we are on the subject of alternate types of injection, I thought I'd offer that up.

Yeah, and if you read the posts of those rebuilding them, you'll see that we aren't spending the $600-$800 small block Chevy or Ford dollars. (Remember, he is speaking of the OM617, not the ones you speak of.) You'll see that there are thousands invested. AND The "plentiful" engines that you refer to (if you will hang out long enough to read them) are used engines with lots of miles and problems of their own - not taking away the robustness of them, but they do wear out.

And they will wear faster with higher boost pressures, improper maintenance, and poor fuel delivery, etc. Therefore, I maintain that out of spec engineering will in fact determine longevity. There is a reason why many of these have 300k+ on them, and that's because they were meticulously maintained to factory intent.

Now, if longevity is not as important as performance and money is no issue, go for it. But do not promote this as an across the line mainstream benefit to all (HHO specifically).

Gillig · #27 09-11-2010, 07:11 PM

Small block parts are cheap because there is a huge aftermarket base to supply its popularity in the performance genre.

If MB's diesels had a similar large number of people rebuilding them, parts would be just as cheap with more non-OEM alternatives available. With no market to speak of, the cost of tooling to make parts is very slow to be recovered and as a result you have a $6000 rebuild instead of $600. Another good example of this is the California model's $55 air filter compared to the $12 federal version.

Part cost has nothing to do with longevity, its all to do with investment and profit.

mach0415 · #28 09-11-2010, 07:14 PM

True. In fact, with the number of these things approaching max. specs for rebuild, hopefully there will be enough supply to the demanding market to drive the prices down.