What a Trap Oxidizer in a 124 looks like - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

lrg · #1 09-25-2003, 01:29 AM

For the benefit of those who have never seen an original equipment trap oxidizer on the OM 603 ( in this case on a 124 wagon) here's a shot of one still on car that is for sale on EBay (it's the coffee can sized container with the tapered ends just to the left - passenger's side- of the cam cover.

If this car had ever been to the dealer within the last ten years the trap would be gone. Too bad, looks like a decent car but with the trap still on it you've got to be worried about the (low) level of maintenance.

Trap photo (go to the engine photo if this doesn't take you there directly)

Zeitgeist · #2 09-26-2003, 04:52 PM

Ya, that trap is a peculiar looking beast.

What I can't figure out is the weird configuration of the hyd. suspension reservoir and the ABS unit. My reservoir resides up against the inner fender, and the ABS unit is mounted parallel to that. On the trap car, there's what looks to be a large horn mounted to the strut tower--what's that for? The horn for my factory car alarm is much smaller and mounted behind the tower.

I can only assume the trap car is an early '87 or late '86 production model. Pretty car though.

psfred · #3 09-26-2003, 08:06 PM

Please note that having a trap oxidizer in there simply means low milage and it isn't plugged (YET!!) -- dealer will not replace it unless it is at the proper milage (30,000 each, I think) OR it is plugged. Stupid, I know, but that is what my brother had to deal with when he replaced his a couple years ago. Wouldn't do a thing until the car barely ran, but he then got a new turbo, too!

Peter

H-townbenzoboy · #4 09-26-2003, 09:15 PM

I looked at a 1985 300DT once, and I looked under the hood, and I thought I saw the trap oxidzer. Does anyone have a pic of a W123 Trap Oxidizer? I passed on the car for that and other reasons, but I'd just like to see a picture to make sure what I saw was what I thought it was. I hope I don't confuse anyone.
-Joe

lrg · #5 09-26-2003, 09:54 PM

The trap oxydizer on the 1985 is the same shape and size as the photo here. The only problem is the retrofit trap catalyst looks exactly the same as the trap oxidizer that it replaces on the 1985 cars. The only way to tell is to ask the dealer. They look so similar that I actually took my '85 back to the dealer after a service to complain that the trap hadn't been replaced, the main reason I took it to him in the first place as opposed to doing the service myself. I felt like a dope (not the first time) when he told me that it WAS the same because it had been replaced at the prior 30K service with the trap catalyst which "never" needs to be replaced. I thanked him and went home.

vwbuge · #6 09-27-2003, 04:22 AM

Irg is correct. The trap ox was replaced on my '85 300SD. The catalyst that is in its place looks exactly the same. As far as the 30,000 mile story, I think the dealer was giving you some BS on replacement.

lrg · #7 09-27-2003, 12:08 PM

Joe,
Funny you should ask about the 123 trap. Here's a photo I took from another thread about the same thing. Note that you can barely see the trap but if you look carefully on the photo of the right (passenger) side of the engine you can see the tapered end of the trap behind the black A/C hose. On the 123 it's under the turbo instead of next to it like on the 124. The dead give away for the 123 trap cars is the location of the air cleaner, forward of the turbo.

123 trap photo

Grdenko · #8 10-06-2003, 02:12 PM

my '91 300d hasnt been to a dealership in at least 10 years. do they replace the trap oxidizer or take it out all together? mine is black and is mounted lower than the one in the picture. ive got 175000 miles. should i take it in?

Zeitgeist · #9 10-06-2003, 08:41 PM

Quote:

my '91 300d hasnt been to a dealership in at least 10 years. do they replace the trap oxidizer or take it out all together? mine is black and is mounted lower than the one in the picture. ive got 175000 miles. should i take it in?

IIRC, the OM 602's didn't use the TO. I think you have a regular catalytic converter mounted downstream of the turbo. It shouldn't give you too much difficulty if air/fuel ratios are kept at optimum levels--read: minimal soot output.

rkpatt · #10 01-27-2006, 04:11 AM

The trap oxidized photos here are no longer availble . Can someone post new ones . - Thanks

vwbuge · #11 01-27-2006, 07:34 AM

Look at the pics in my swap thread. It won't let me re-post them.

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/showthread.php?t=90424