It's a trap!
 

Nice looking SDL with a trap oxidizer:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=6330&item=2420004714

Sixto
95 S420
91 300SE
87 300SDL
83 300SD

I'm not sure about what your point is with this thread.

If the car is in otherwise good shape, it might be a good buy. As of as late as about two years ago, MB would replace the Trap Oxidizer with an entire new exhaust system for absolutely no charge. They put in its place a system that did not contain the TO.

Have a great day,

Sixto,

How did you transfer the pic from Ebay?

P E H

That's easy. Just right click on the picture to save it to your PC, and then post it here. :D

Actually Larry, for as much as I've read about 'em here in the forums, I've never seen on. The pic does at least carry some minor interest value in that regard.

I now know what I would be looking at, and what it is if I ever find myself contemplating the purchase of one of these cars.

I look at one everytime I open the bonnet. Mine is configured a little differently though. It is below the turbo. Then again, my setup is different from all others........

I'm too lazy to do a search right now, but was wondering what exactly the prob was with those things. Did they just clog up, or cause other problems? I've always heard you don't want them on those cars, but guess I've never heard a good explanation as to why.
And yes, I appreciate the pic so I at least have a clue if/when I ever again shop for an SDL as I was before i found my SD.

They contain a honeycomb type ceramic substrate plated with silver, in two chambers. The exhaust flow is switched from side to side and air is drawn in, I think, to the side the exhaust isn't in. The idea is to trap the soot then oxidize it away rather than let it go out the exhaust.

They tend to plug pretty bad, much worse with age (they are supposed to be replaced every 30,000 miles, I think), and also tend to overheat and crack. The later will eventually blow chunks of ceramic matrix down the turbine on the turbo. This seriouosly damages the turbine blades, wrecking the turbo.

Peter

Ouch!:eek: Yeah, that's definately not a good thing!
Thanks for the explanation:)