I had gotten it in my head to finally purge and tune my diesel and upon removing the little blue cap to investigate, I found this...?

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82 300SD

the little blue cap is not from Mercedes.

What you found underneath is.

It has been mangled as someone tried to adjust it.

Remove the black plastic piece inside the thin metal cylinder to reveal the nut you are looking for. (or just remove the whole metal cylinder if it is easier)

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ah.. it seams that the black plastic piece has become a gooey mess comparable to the blob... I'll probably try cutting the cylinder off at some point this week when I have time.

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82 300SD

Get at least one pick! They are a multi-use tool, and just the thing for picking out the black plastic. Once you have the plastic out, leave the metal sleeve and fill it with P.B. Blaster, or my favorite, Kroil, and leave it sit at least for a day. You then might get lucky and not break the nut off.

Also, you need to test that the A.L.D.A. holds pressure. I just stuck the hose in my mouth and blew into it. If it blows though like mind does, off with it! It needs to by re-sealed with Hylomer. Any vacuum leaks wreck havoc! Now my transmission shifts so much better and shut off is less harsh.

Hope this helps!

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Current fleet:

1985 Mercedes-Benz 280TE - Waiting for heart surgery.

1985 Mercedes-Benz 300TDT - Rear ended 23 September 2016 and now looking for a new home.

1979 Mercedes-Benz 300TD - Parted out.

1964 Volkswgen Beetle - Vater's since September 1968 and undergoing a restoration.

1971 Volkswagen Sunroof Squareback with F.I. - in need of full restoration.

1971 Volkswagen Squareback automatic with F.I. - Vacationing with her caretaker until he is in better health.

Adriel-
Could you clarify what you mean by "re-sealed with Hylomer?" Are you resealing the shaft or the two sides of the ALDA? Which type of Hylomar? Thanks.

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1968 220D, w115, /8, OM615, Automatic transmission.
My 1987 300TD wagon was sold and my 2003 W210 E320 wagon was totaled (sheds tear).

ALDA R&R disassembly, cleaning.

My Alda doesn't hold vacuum, what do I do ? W123

ALDA Repair

Can't seem to find the one I am looking for, which shows the shaft seal and the seal for the two halves. I have to leave shortly for work, errands, and class, but maybe this evening I will have a chance to get some pictures when I do mine and whether it works.

Hope this helps.

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Current fleet:

1985 Mercedes-Benz 280TE - Waiting for heart surgery.

1985 Mercedes-Benz 300TDT - Rear ended 23 September 2016 and now looking for a new home.

1979 Mercedes-Benz 300TD - Parted out.

1964 Volkswgen Beetle - Vater's since September 1968 and undergoing a restoration.

1971 Volkswagen Sunroof Squareback with F.I. - in need of full restoration.

1971 Volkswagen Squareback automatic with F.I. - Vacationing with her caretaker until he is in better health.

Thanks for the input. I'll be trying to dig the rest of that sludge out this week in my spare time. It'll get the pb blaster treatment once removed. I look forward to figuring out how to tune this car.

I seem to have a slower than normal idle and that contributes to a slight chugging and I'm hoping this will get me on the right track as far as correcting that. Also have flaring shifts and some other non-sense. One thing at a time i suppose.

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82 300SD