Trap Oxidizer Diagrams? - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

lietuviai · #1 09-29-2003, 08:45 PM

Is there anywhere that I can find a diagram and specs for the trap oxidizer system on a California model '85 300D? None of my manuals show anything!

Gilly · #2 09-29-2003, 10:14 PM

Those things MB will replace for free with the catalyst pipe. Check it out, you can get a free exhaust system and turbo out of the deal if you're lucky.

WOW you got a 51 Caddy? I worked on one of those things back in the early 80's, a 51 Fleetwood. Had power window problems. Gotta love it, hydraulic power windows and power seats. What a great car though. Love the hidden gas cap, very clever.

Gilly

lietuviai · #3 09-29-2003, 10:41 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Gilly
Those things MB will replace for free with the catalyst pipe. Check it out, you can get a free exhaust system and turbo out of the deal if you're lucky.

WOW you got a 51 Caddy? I worked on one of those things back in the early 80's, a 51 Fleetwood. Had power window problems. Gotta love it, hydraulic power windows and power seats. What a great car though. Love the hidden gas cap, very clever.

Gilly

The previous owner of my 300D had the trap oxidizer replaced for free by MB along with the turbo and some other related items. The thing is that MB put another trap oxidizer on the the engine. I would like to get rid of it altogether. What are my options?

Concerning the Caddy, I don't have power anything in it. I'm glad that it doesn't. Those Hydro-lectric systems were prone to leaking. Worst thing is that those systems used brake fluid and when your p/w started leaking, it would take the paint right off the bottom of your doors. I have fun with the gas cap location. I like to pull into gas stations across the river in Oregon and have fun watching the gas gimps go crazy looking for the filler.

vwbuge · #4 09-29-2003, 11:29 PM

I really don't think they put another trap on the car. The replacement catalyst looks exactly the same. Call your local MB dealer and have them run the VIN for service records.

Gilly · #5 09-30-2003, 05:02 AM

I agree, it should have a replacement pipe put in, not another trap oxidizer. If not, MB still owes you the replacement pipe, and maybe they never put the oxidation catalyst in it either.
Can you post an image of the underhood area?

Yeah, on this Fleetwood, I had to replace the pump, then about 2 weeks later the owner and his wife were out with it on a Saturday bight and the passengers side window ram blew, what a mess. He was understanding though, and also a bit of a cheapskate; he had us replace only the blown ram. The front seat was also hydraulic.

Gilly

#6 09-30-2003, 11:45 AM

Correction:
They will replace the Trap and Turbo!One time only. They replaced the trap oxidizer with a Trap Cad. look like orignial. The dealer can get the info off the computer for you.
Now to the "they owe you a replacement pipe." I went to five dealers and for my 85' california car there was no replacement pipe from the factory. There was one for 86' and 87' but this is a six banger and different length.
Options.
Get Trap off and have muffler shop use mounting flanges and make you a replacement pipe.
Or go to bone yard and buy Intake and Exhaust manifold and Air cleaner and bracket as well as line for turbo {there are two of these} plus the plastic U-shape hose. From a 84 or 83 turbo. And the first exhaust pipe. Buy new gaskets.
While you are there you should plug EGR port and remove it.
Of course all of this removes smog equipment and is illigal and wrong. So it is just theory.
Boy do I like my theory without that trash on the car.
Charlie

adamb · #7 09-30-2003, 03:20 PM

When I get done fixing the rotten wood in my roof (water damage) I was toying with the idea of shelling out the trap, similar to how one would shell out a cat in a gasser. Does anyone have any experience doing this or do you think there would be any issues with this empty football sized trap ? I think I'll try it and report back the results.
I know the same model year federal version is rated at 27 mpg and the cali model is rated at 22 mpg. I wonder if the difference is almost entirely in the trap, or lack of.
Thanks, Adam Bush

lietuviai · #8 09-30-2003, 04:46 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by adamb
When I get done fixing the rotten wood in my roof (water damage) I was toying with the idea of shelling out the trap, similar to how one would shell out a cat in a gasser. Does anyone have any experience doing this or do you think there would be any issues with this empty football sized trap ? I think I'll try it and report back the results.
I know the same model year federal version is rated at 27 mpg and the cali model is rated at 22 mpg. I wonder if the difference is almost entirely in the trap, or lack of.
Thanks, Adam Bush

Don't shell it out. You'll just have a strange expansion chamber attached to your engine which will affect your performance and idle. My dad and I, many many years ago, took a cutting torch to a cat and "cleaned" it out. The car ran like crap, worse than it did with it plugged up.

lietuviai · #9 09-30-2003, 04:52 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Charlie Mitchel
Correction:
They will replace the Trap and Turbo!One time only. They replaced the trap oxidizer with a Trap Cad. look like orignial. The dealer can get the info off the computer for you.
Now to the "they owe you a replacement pipe." I went to five dealers and for my 85' california car there was no replacement pipe from the factory. There was one for 86' and 87' but this is a six banger and different length.
Options.
Get Trap off and have muffler shop use mounting flanges and make you a replacement pipe.
Or go to bone yard and buy Intake and Exhaust manifold and Air cleaner and bracket as well as line for turbo {there are two of these} plus the plastic U-shape hose. From a 84 or 83 turbo. And the first exhaust pipe. Buy new gaskets.
While you are there you should plug EGR port and remove it.
Of course all of this removes smog equipment and is illigal and wrong. So it is just theory.
Boy do I like my theory without that trash on the car.
Charlie

I was looking over my service records and the trap was replaced with an oxidation catalyst and not another trap like I had written at first. Now the question is, how long can I expect for this thing to last before it plugs up?
The original trap wasn't replaced until the car had 174K. I've got 218K on the car now which means the "new" cat has about 44K on it.

lrg · #10 09-30-2003, 06:47 PM

Supposedly the trap catalyst lasts "forever" so you will never have to replace it.

lietuviai · #11 09-30-2003, 07:28 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by lrg
Supposedly the trap catalyst lasts "forever" so you will never have to replace it.

According to a letter I have from MB N. America, "subsequent changes of the oxidation catalyst will not be necessary", followed at the end of the letter by, "The oxidation catalyst is covered by the Limited Service Parts and Accesory limited warranty for 12 months unlimited mileage."
This doesn't have me convinced that it'll last forever. It just tells me that MB doesn't want to fix anything more for free even if this thing fails.

vwbuge · #12 09-30-2003, 11:27 PM

Without my records in fornt of me I can't be positive but I think mine was replaced around 170,000 miles. I now have very close to 300,000 with no problems. ........I do have a problem with fuel mileage though.....

lietuviai · #13 10-01-2003, 08:47 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by vwbuge
Without my records in fornt of me I can't be positive but I think mine was replaced around 170,000 miles. I now have very close to 300,000 with no problems. ........I do have a problem with fuel mileage though.....

I get about 24-25 mpg's on the average when I really floor it.

vwbuge · #14 10-01-2003, 10:10 PM

I get around 18-19 no matter city or highway.
Recently adjusted valves and cleaned injectors.

lietuviai · #15 10-01-2003, 10:22 PM

Something's not right with your car as it should get much better mileage. How's the power? Is it possible for your catalyst to be plugged up as that might affect your MPG's but your car would be sluggish as well. Did you adjust your ALDA on your injector pump too many turns CCW? This will affect mileage and you would be able to see lots of smoke from your rear view mirror.