Thanks Brian and Dave. When I get a chance to pop off the ALDA, it will be interesting to see the performance improvement. While I plan to use the car primarily, my wife may need it on occasion to shuttle kids around (the 3rd row seat was a major selling point for us). Assuming the car smokes significantly upon normal accelerations without the ALDA, I plan to shim it for the long-haul. She probably doesn't want to see much (any?) smoke coming from the tailpipe. As Dave pointed out, my car's accel is not bad currently. I just want it to be a little easier/safer to cross busy roads or make quick left turns across multi lane roads. I also want to keep fuel economy up, so less smoke probably helps with that. Although the jury is out (from older threads on the topic) whether mpg will suffer without ALDA.

Dave-I will think about the shaft seal. As you both say, the current leakage is okay. But "tomorrow" could be a totally different situation.

I will post a followup once I pull the ALDA. Thanks again.

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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).