amazingly powerful vehicles with the alda off aren't they... congratulations! the problem with it off is all the black smoke and the speeding tickets. with fuel prices creeping higher and higher, I'd hook it back up, after the line is confirmed clean... I might open her up a 1/4 turn though.

I think all the turbo diesels have the obp valve... the line that's going to the other place should be going to the flying blue saucer... and it's job is to boost vacuum signal to the transmission for shift stability. I'll check my parts car 93 to be sure...
I would not test the alda, I'd test the pressure line feeding the alda to be CERTAIN it's totally clear of gunk. you have a boost gauge, if you are going to drive without the alda, you shoud invest in a pyrometer.

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John HAUL AWAY, OR CRUSHED CARS!!! HELP ME keep the cars out of the crusher! A/C Thread
"as I ride with my a/c on... I have fond memories of sweaty oily saturdays and spewing R12 into the air. THANKS for all you do!

My drivers:
1987 190D 2.5Turbo
1987 560SL convertible
1987 190D 2.5-5SPEED!!!

1987 300TD
2005 Dodge Sprinter 2500 158"WB
1994GMC 2500 6.5Turbo truck... I had to put the ladder somewhere!

On the black smoke issue, on my ALDA-less SDL I have learned (to the point where it's second nature) how not to emit smoke. As long as I'm easy on the pedal below about 2400 rpm, I really have no problems.

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14 E250 Bluetec 4Matic "Sinclair", Palladium Silver on Black, 159k miles
06 E320 CDI "Rutherford", Black on Tan, 179k mi, Stage 1 tune, tuned TCU
91 300D "Otis", Smoke Silver on Tan, 145k mi, wastegate conversion, ALDA delete

19 Honda CR-V EX 77k mi
Fourteen other MB's owned and sold
1961 Very Tolerant Wife

VSTech: Thanks. I don't think the 93 has the same plumbing as the 90-91 models do. Not sure about the 92, from me reading things changed around that time. I'll be waiting for you to peek at your 93 and see if you agree or not. I don't have the blue saucer as you mention. I've read about that and my 91 parts car has that but my 93 plumbs the ALDA differently AFAIK anyway (heck maybe it's already been changed, that is possible too I guess). I also have been looking at some FSM vac diagrams that outline the ALDA circuit too and it seems some (late 92 onwards) agree with my statements. disclaimner there is the diagrams aren't the best labeled for my specific model year just the 602.96 motor. Mine should be the 602.962 so read that with caution I guess.

My ALDA was originally plumbed as I tried to describe in an earlier post. From the intake, it is T'd. One arm goes to the ALDA nipple, the other goes to the battery side and that pressure to electronic sensor. That's it for the ALDA pressure lines. I think the older models (90-91) have an additional circuit that goes from the intake, to the switchover/overboost protection (obp??) then back to the ALDA. At least I think that's the case. My assumption was this was controlled via the computer in the 92-93 and that pressure switch with the ultimate control being the turbo/vac wastegate as installed in the factory original set up. That control this is irrelevent now with my set up. As for the blue saucer effects on the transmission vac, I don't understand how that is accounted for in the 93 so worried I don't fully understand things here.

After sleeping on it a night, I am really contemplating whether I can get away (SAFELY for the motor) with leaving the ALDA off. If I have a reliable boost relief line (to the wastegate actuator, that relieves boost at 14 psi as GSXR's design does), I am thinking I should not be in an overboost situation. But again, I am all ears on further advice if I am not fully understanding the system and risks. As for smoke, don't care just want the car to run well and safely.

My 92 has the same plumbing as your 93. My 91 looks COMPLETELY different.

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14 E250 Bluetec 4Matic "Sinclair", Palladium Silver on Black, 159k miles
06 E320 CDI "Rutherford", Black on Tan, 179k mi, Stage 1 tune, tuned TCU
91 300D "Otis", Smoke Silver on Tan, 145k mi, wastegate conversion, ALDA delete

19 Honda CR-V EX 77k mi
Fourteen other MB's owned and sold
1961 Very Tolerant Wife

OK, I am all set for now. What I have done.

I removed the ALDA and plan to leave it off at least for now. I think if I drive with some sense I'll be OK. I have a boost gauge and the pressure swap on my turbo that begins to dump the turbo at 14 psi. I took it for a 30 mile run today and just love the car. I am not a lead foot and fairly well in tune with the car so I am going to chance it.

Since the ALDA is off, I just hooked my turbo wastegate pressure line into where the ALDA used to take it's signal from the manifold. Very simple and clean. I'll need to keep any eye on that connection to keep it clear of crap from teh manifold.

Here is a quick topside view youtube video of what I have currently.


Mercedes turbo - YouTube


Long term (the next glowplug change probably), I will have the manifold cleaned out and now with the EGR gone, it should then stay nice and tidy. I'll also probably put a nipple for the pressure signal over on the flapper tube section or possibly at the EGR flange if I remove that and put in a cover plate. Both seem like superior places than what I have but for now this will work I think.

So what caused my problems in the first place. As some suggested, my ALDA was NOT getting the boost signal as I had erroneously assumed. When I pulled all the plumbing out, I found the line was completely clogged. There is a small green hose connector in between a straight line from the intake and the Y in the line that goes to the ALDA and the B5/1 pressure sensor. That connector is the smallest point and was chucked full of the manifold residue.

Here is the whole set up, not sure if you can see that connector or not. It's right between the two metalic hose clamps in the pic.



I cleaned it out with some brake fluid.

Here is what came out of that!





I guess it's no wonder it didn't work!!

Attached Thumbnails

     

Very nice...and great video. How many miles on the car?

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14 E250 Bluetec 4Matic "Sinclair", Palladium Silver on Black, 159k miles
06 E320 CDI "Rutherford", Black on Tan, 179k mi, Stage 1 tune, tuned TCU
91 300D "Otis", Smoke Silver on Tan, 145k mi, wastegate conversion, ALDA delete

19 Honda CR-V EX 77k mi
Fourteen other MB's owned and sold
1961 Very Tolerant Wife

This one has 146K on the clock. I've had it since 73K. It seems to have enough maladies that I wonder if the miles are real but maybe it's just because it's a 20 year old MB. I don't know, it's been getting 32-34 mpg consistently so I just use it for a daily driver. I kind of like driving an old car that isn't worth much, that I can fix and that I understand alot of what's under the hood and whatnot. I don't care much if I have problems. Just gives me something to do and learn from. It's also a good conversation piece with my colleagues at work. They all drive BMW's or other high end new stuff, while I rumble around in the 300D. They enjoy making fun of me, I enjoy watching my paycheck go into the bank while they drop 60K on a new car. It's hilarious!

A question if you dont mind... if you remove the ALDA how do you plug the opening where the ALDA mounts..or if not necessary to plug it what measures are taken to ensure grime doesnt go down in that area ?

and secondly,

what affect ( positive or negative ) to the fuel mileage is expected once the ALDA is removed ?

thankyou

Out here in Tennessee you want to make black smoke,and I love too.With my ALDA at the landfill

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1999 w140, quit voting to old, and to old to fight, a god damned veteran, deutschland deutschland uber alles uber alles in der welt

Also tempting in RI....I live in an uber-green, progressive part of the state....these people could use some black smoke!

__________________
14 E250 Bluetec 4Matic "Sinclair", Palladium Silver on Black, 159k miles
06 E320 CDI "Rutherford", Black on Tan, 179k mi, Stage 1 tune, tuned TCU
91 300D "Otis", Smoke Silver on Tan, 145k mi, wastegate conversion, ALDA delete

19 Honda CR-V EX 77k mi
Fourteen other MB's owned and sold
1961 Very Tolerant Wife

An EGT gauge is a good idea but if you have the discipline to keep an eye on an EGT gauge, you have the discipline to back off your right foot when you feel the engine is producing Finnish amounts of power. You'd need your foot planted longer than it takes your car to get to 60mph for an inoperative wastegate actuator to cause harm. If you don't put your foot to the floor on a regular basis, you and your combustion chambers will never notice an inoperative wastegate actuator. If you regularly put your foot to the floor, sell the '93 and buy my butt ugly '87 that goes like stink... with the untouched ALDA in place.

Sixto
87 300D

Is it correct that as long as my pressure wastegate is functioning correct, and I am not getting more than 14 psi boost that with or without an ALDA it should be a protected system. Meaning, it ain't gonna get enough air to kill the motor and my only real risk is no ALDA and no turbo wastegate control??? That's been my assumption in thinking to leave the ALDA lay in my toolbox in the trunk.