Ok, I bought an 85 300SD. The previous owners told me they never had the trap oxidixer replaced, however looking through the maintenence log, it has written in that the engine was replaced in 99. I don't even know what a trap oxidizer looks like, so I have no idea if it's been replaced (perhaps someone can tell me how to identify one). But it seems like the turbo doesn't work, so I am thinking it was caused by a bad oxidizer. Either that, or the turbo isn't engaging when it's supposed to (it seems like there is a lot more power at startoff than any other I have driven, and there is that turbo whine at low speeds). Anyway, if the trap wasn't replaced, I am wondering if Mercedes would still replace it under the recall. The odometer says 284k but doesn't work. The recall was in 96, but according to the service department I called said that they are still replacing them under the recall. Also, if the turbo is shot, will they replace that too? And if the compression is low in the engine, could it be argued that it is caused by a disentegrated trap? If anyone has experience with this recall, please shed some light on it for me. Thanks!

85's are great off the line cause of that baby transmission the 722.4.
as far as the trap, if that motor was a factory crate motor im sure the updated trap oxidizer is on it. if it wasent you can bring it into any dealer they can do a vmi and tell you. if the turbo wasent working you would defenitly know. good luck

Well, I'm pretty sure the turbo isn't working. It has quite a bit of power up to about 30mph. After that is has none. I can't make it up past 45 on a big hill. When you step on the gas there is nothing.

take it in a dealer, if the trap oxidizer came apart and damaged the turbo they will replace both turbo and trap under campaign recall free of charge.
you might have to pay a diagnosis fee, usually an hour or two.

Does it matter that I just bought the car or does it have to be taken in by the owner who had the car when the recall went into effect?

The present owner can take the car in, its not something limited to the original owner. A case in point. A local Indy took an '85 300D to the local dealer for the owner. The symptoms were similar to yours, no power and leaking oil from the turbo seals. They drove it there straight to the dealer after finding the trap was plugged. Unfortunately the dealer misdiagnosed the problem and said it wasn't a bad turbo. They wanted to charge for some other work, injectors or something.
After another trip, taking the car back for a second opinion the Indy shop owner had a meeting with the service manager and they put it back in the shop. After a different and obviously more experinced mechanic looked into it, the dealer admitted it was a bad turbo and replaced it along with the trap at no charge.
The owner was an old lady that knew nothing about her car and would have been at the mercy of the inexperienced tech that happened to be assigned to work on her car that day, new hires are seldom experienced diesel mechanics these days. She was fortunate to have been dealing with an Indy shop that didn't mind getting involved with the local dealer. Not all Indys will act this way or get involved in the first place. To me its a sign of a good Indy, one that cares for its customer.

Keep this in mind if the same thing happens to you. If you tell them an expert mechanic with lots of experience with Benz diesels insisted you take the car to a dealer because your car has a problem covered by a factory "service campaign" the service manager may look at your car in a different light.

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'95 E320 Wagon my favorite road car. '99 E300D wolf in sheeps body, '87 300D Sportline suspension, '79 300TD w/ 617.952 engine at 367,750 and counting!

A bad turbo is rare on these cars. Problems with low power are usually caused by restricted boost signal lines to the fuel compensation unit (ALDA) atop the IP. Follow the boost signal line from the back end of the intake manifold through the swtichover valve on the firewall to the ALDA. Make sure the line is intact and clear. As well check the banjo fitting at the back of the intake manifold.

The trap oxidizer and resulting condition of the turbo are another matter. Any MB dealer can tell you though a vehicle master inquiry (VMI) if the trap oxidizer has been replaced. There's no cost for a VMI. At the dealer closest to me the receptionist runs VMIs!

Sixto
95 S420
87 300SDL