Where is the shim located on the alda ,I have the screw adjustment all the way out an d saw an increase in low end power but over 2000 rpm it seems
low on power.

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84 300 Turbo / 320,000
96 E300 D / 55,000

AFAIK, the shim is directly underneath the ALDA, if it uses a shim. It has the same effect as turning the screw adjustment.

Thanks for the info

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84 300 Turbo / 320,000
96 E300 D / 55,000

Hi, I tried adjusting my Alda today. It was virgin (black plastic cap intact). I backed it out .5 turns and started engine, warmed it up and did take-off runs. Seemed better. Got out, backed out screw another .5 turn. Was even better, if you nailed it on the corner of our gravel road, it would churn up the hard packed stuff. Then tried to back it out some more, but found that there was only 1/4 turn left. So it seems that my virgin ALDA only had 1.25 CCW turns of adjustment on it.

I have it currently at 1.0 turns out. It is like a different car, with not much smoke. I am wondering, does this (the relatively low amount of adjustment) sound correct to you?

Also, what is a good quality, clean filtering cone style filter that will work with this? Turbo whine isn't an issue, I rather like that sound. I just thought it would be cool to have something nice looking under the hood, but definately don't want to risk my engine on K&N crap.

Lastly, where is the best place to plumb in a boost gauge. If I do it, it will be a permanent install, not temporary. I figured the waste gate line would probably be best, no?

thanks!

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-Matt

EPA Section 609 Certified MVAC Technician
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Oil Burner Kartel Member #10

Ahh the smell of Diesel Fuel, it's like coffee in the morning!

My Car:

1982 300SD Turbo Diesel (231,500 miles!) RIP

1984 300SD Turbo Diesel Custom (235,500 mi on driveline.) - On Road!!

www.icsrepair.com

Hello? Thoughts, anyone?

__________________
-Matt

EPA Section 609 Certified MVAC Technician
-----------------
Oil Burner Kartel Member #10

Ahh the smell of Diesel Fuel, it's like coffee in the morning!

My Car:

1982 300SD Turbo Diesel (231,500 miles!) RIP

1984 300SD Turbo Diesel Custom (235,500 mi on driveline.) - On Road!!

www.icsrepair.com

My ALDA too was a virgin, and total adjustment was 1 1/4 turns.

do a search for "boost gauge." i have seen some posts that have pics with descriptions.

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Grey '91 350SDL 214k Dad's car
Beige '81 240D 4 Speed 254k SOLD
Blue '82 300D 225k SOLD
White '95 E300D 46k SOLD
Blue '87 190D 2.5 Turbo 315k SOLD
Brown '80 240D 4 Speed 716k SOLD
Beige '80 300D N/A 119k SOLD
Blue '85 300D Model 186k T-Boned

1.0 turns out sounds about right. If you don't have any black smoke and you get results from the adjustment, you are fine. If you adjust it further out, and you don't get anything, you will lose fuel economy. So, just dial it back slightly.

A good quality, clean filtering factory style air filter can be found right under your hood. In fact, it is better than any cone style filter because is has an oil separator built right into the center of it. No cone style filter will perform as well in terms of air filter capability, and, you would still need to cobble up some kind of oil separator. Don't even bother. The "look" is not worth it.

Plumb the boost gauge to the line from the overboost protection valve to the ALDA. There is a short length of rubber hose before it turns into the hard Tecalan line. This will be the proper size for the boost gauge. The waste gate line is too large and will be a PITA to get the proper fittings.

This location also serves as a benefit to let you know if the line from the manifold gets clogged.

On higher mileage (200k+) ones I usually will have to do 2 full turns just to wake them up.

The original one on my 170K 300CD apparently sprung a leak in the last week or so, there was a significant loss in off the line oomph noticed over a couple of days. I used the one from my 275k parts car and tried it out first without adjustment. What a dog! I got it slightly more than 2.5 turns out and hit the max. While it is significantly better, the problem is, the car still isn't back to what it used to be when the original one was first adjusted.

My question now, before I take it back off and attempt to experiment on my own, what shims and what placement has anyone used in the past? thickness, overall diameter etc would be helpfull, or what size is equivalent to one full turn of the screw?

Is there any source for new alda's? They are not available individually from MB, I've tried. Any other make/models use them as well that anyone knows about?

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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

1984 300d Turbo 134k
Do A 10 Psi Pressure Check At The Alda Engine Off The One I Had Leak
Use A ************************ Vacuum Tester With Pressure Out At The Top Of Gage T In With Fuel 0=10 Psi-vacuum Gage, Remove The
4 Screws May Have Drill 4 Out I Drill 2 Out Replace Small Seal With
A Jc Whitney Metic Rubber O Ring Kit All Sizes And They Have Copper Seal Kit, Press Check OK, Diy Cost Of Seal Kit

I knew I kept the old one for a reason, I'll look into that if I end up needing it again for one of the other cars.

Any word from someone using shims?

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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

sorry bout bringing up an old thread but could someone post a pic where the ALDA is in an 85 300D

See post #7 of this tread:

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/showthread.php?t=133311&highlight=alda+photo

thankyou.. i knew i was looking at it.. stupid black plastic cap

For fear of being laughed at...I have waited to see if someone tells me what ALDA stands for...I'll go hide now

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1993 300D 2.5L 240,000+ miles