I recently adjusted the ALDA 3/4 turns on my 87 300d turbo and was really satisfied with the improvement in power, but lately I've noticed that the extra power is gone and feels like the way it was before I adjusted it. There are times when the power is there but lately is all gone so I'm wondering if maybe you have to go back and readjust after it "settles" to get the permanent adjustment. I must admit I haven't done a complete check of everything since I just finished doing the vacuum pods (will post pics of that job) maybe you guys can shine some light on this one

__________________
87 300d Turbo 241K with original #14 head (blue)
87 300d Turbo 198K will run great again someday (silver)
84 300sd sold ( buyer drove it to Paraguay )

Have you noticed if the days it appears to be weak are the hottest days?

above 90 degrees I notice a distinct reduction in power compaired to days below 90 degrees.

__________________
Proud owner of ....
1971 280SE W108
1979 300SD W116
1983 300D W123
1975 Ironhead Sportster chopper
1987 GMC 3/4 ton 4X4 Diesel
1989 Honda Civic (Heavily modified)
---------------------
Section 609 MVAC Certified
---------------------
"He who fights with monsters might take care lest he thereby become a monster. And if you gaze for long into an abyss, the abyss gazes also into you." - Friedrich Nietzsche

I think added horsepower is like most illicit drugs. It just keeps taking more and more to satisfy the cravings. In other words, your seat-of-the-pants dyno builds a tolerance to the new power level so you don't notice a gain after a bit.

__________________
Keep everything as simple as possible-but no simpler--Albert Einstein

No kidding. Then, let that air get cold and dense and see what happens.

__________________
Never a dull moment at Berry Hill Farm.

I suspected the same thing with my 87 300d, but after I did another 0 to 60, I discovered it was even faster by a 25th of a second, than months before when I had adjusted Mr. Alda! "Greed for speed"

I had been wondering the same thing. I did the one on my coupe awhile back and lately it doesnt seem to be the as quick as a 300D and 300SD i just adjusted. I adjusted it a little further the other day and noticed it's now at its limit. It smoked at a stop the day I adjusted it, but hasn't smoked at idle since.

On a certain turn from a stop on the way home from work everyday the car used to break traction. It doesn't do it anymore.

__________________


1980 500SE/AMG Euro
1981 500SEL Euro
1982 380SEL
1983 300TD
1983 500SEC/AMG Euro
1984 500SEC
1984 300TD Euro
1986 190E 2.3-16
1986 190E 2.3
1987 300D
1997 C36 AMG
2003 C320T 4matic

past: 1969 280SE 4.5 | 1978 240D | 1978 300D | 1981 300SD | 1981 300SD | 1982 300CD | 1983 300CD | 1983 300SD | 1983 380SEC | 1984 300D | 1984 300D | 1984 300TD | 1984 500SEL | 1984 300SD | 1985 300D | 1986 300E | 1986 560SEL | 1986 560SEL/Carat | 1987 560SEC | 1991 300D 2.5 | 2006 R350

weather doesn't seem to matter, unless of course is raining, even the suspension works better when it rains

__________________
87 300d Turbo 241K with original #14 head (blue)
87 300d Turbo 198K will run great again someday (silver)
84 300sd sold ( buyer drove it to Paraguay )

Ditto, my TD feels like a rocket in 50-60* after a good rain.
90-100*+ a VW beatle could pour a can of whoop@ss all over me.

funny my car seems to run a little stronger and smoother when it's hot outside

__________________
'02 BMW 325i
'85 300D 450k
'93 190E 2.6 170k(killed by tree)
'08 Ducati Hypermotard 1100S 6k
'06 Ducati S2R800 14k(sold)

I just noticed something that might be the cause of the problem. I recently took a trip to a water park and while doing the pre-trip systems check list I noticed that the lines going to the alda from the intake were brittle and toasty so I changed them with the only thing I had which were regular vac line of a larger diameter so maybe the larger hose is not letting enough of a signal to build up inside the lines to actually have an effect on the alda. My mityvac doesn't measure positive pressure so I haven't been able to measure how much boost signal is actually getting to the alda. In any case I always though those lines were too skinny and thats why they clog up with soot, but may be MB though otherwise and made them that skinny to allow the presure to build faster, what do you guys think?

__________________
87 300d Turbo 241K with original #14 head (blue)
87 300d Turbo 198K will run great again someday (silver)
84 300sd sold ( buyer drove it to Paraguay )

If you used a larger diameter hose, then yes, your pressure would not build up quite as quickly your added fuel injection would be lagging behind the turbo boost it is supposed to be compensating for via the alda unit. You should definitely get yourself a new original hose (it can't be too much), attach it and see if there's a difference. Altering the size of any of your vacuum (or pressure) lines that control transmission, fuel, etc, can mean trouble.

__________________
"I would rather be ashes than dust!
I would rather that my spark should burn out in a brillaint blaze
than it should be stifled by dryrot.
I would rather be a superb meteor,
every atom of me in magnificent glow,
than a sleepy and permanent planet.
The proper function of man is to live, not to exist.
I shall not waste my days in trying to prolong them.
I shall use my time."

-Jack London 1876-1916

1983 300CDT (running WVO since 12/05)
1981 300SD (parts car)

I have had the same problem. I adjusted the alda then adjusted it back and could never get that first power surge back. If you look at threads in my name you will see my posts about it. I still haven't found the answer to this problem so I'm following this post to see if you come up with anything.

__________________
1983 300SD
200000miles

Hmm, not really, i'm always pretty happy with the engine performance of the 300DTurbo, it's pretty snappy on take off. Also, while it's in, say, 3rd gear and you make it downshift a gear it'll put your head in the back of the seat pretty nicely...especially after a long day of work when im too tired to fight it.

I am not satisfied with the brakes though, i think i have sticky rear calipers and am thinking the master cylinder is giving me a not-so-great brake pedal feel (i have replaced the brake lines and bled them of air and the old fluid) but they seem to stop the car okay, they just dont feel right though, especially compared to our 300SDL. Sorry, off topic here.

__________________
1985 CA 300D Turbo , 213K mi

After adjusting the alda on my 603, I notice occasionally that the power isn't what it should be, usually when the engine is fully warmed up. I haven't really looked into it, but am wondering if the waste gate is the culprit? I am not too sure how to test that but will search here.

When cold the engine has plenty of power.

__________________
DS
2010 CL550 - Heaven help me but it's beautiful
87 300D a labor of love
11 GLK 350 So far, so good
08 E350 4matic, Love it.
99 E320 too rusted, sold
87 260E Donated to Newgate School
www.Newgateschool.org - check it out.
12 Ford Escape, sold, forgotten
87 300D, sold, what a mistake
06 Passat 2.0T, PITA, sold

Las Vegas NV