Adjusted throttle linkage at the firewall last night and have found SOME power. Not good yet, but so much better than before that it's amazing. I am no longer concerned about it being a serious issue and will begin pursuing more of the things that were mentioned such as the ALDA. Will continue to keep you all updated on my progress. Thanks again for the help.

I also have what I would call a "no power at low rpm" problem as well, so I thought I would add to this thread.

Background: New to diesels, and I've owned my 83 300SD for 3 days now, so I don't know what "normal" is for this car. The previous owner was a professional mechanic, and took meticulous care of this car. It has 242k miles and is in very good shape both body-wise, and drivetrain-wise. PO claims he measured the timing chain stretch recently and it was 2 degrees. He also claims to have adjusted the valves recently.

Pulling away at a traffic light, I have to push the throttle at least half way down to get any type of response, and it will accelerate, but still much slower than the typical cars around me, then when the rpms reach between 1500 and 2k it begins to take off (I'm assuming the turbo is now fully engaged), and I'm backing off the throttle significantly as to not accelerate too fast. About this time the transmission shifts from 1st to 2nd and 2nd to 3rd almost simultaneously, then into 4th shortly after. Now I'm going about 40, and the engine seems to be lugging. Transmission was rebuilt recently and shifts are very tight (almost neck-snapping tight). Coming from the gasoline world, this throttle has a very bizarre feel to it.

1) Is all of this normal, and I should shut up and enjoy my 23 yr old diesel, or is there something I can adjust?

2) What is an ALDA, what does it do, and where would I find it?

Thanks

Mark in MA
1983 MB 300SD
1997 Suburban K2500 6.5TD
and a variety of gassers

You have 120hp. The "typical" car around you has 220 hp. Some have considerably more than that. So, pressing half way down is typical on a diesel if you wish to keep up with traffic.

If you're on a road with traffic lights and a 50 mph speed limit, you'll never keep up with the gassers if you're first off the light.......even if you mash it to the firewall........until the engine reaches 2000 rpm and starts to produce some power from more fuel and boost.

Once it's wound up above 2500 rpm, it does reasonably well against the gassers, but, if they wish, they can blow your doors off when they wind them up.

It takes some recognition of the fact that you've only got 120 hp and expecting too much from this engine is a guaranteed source of frustration. If it's not sufficient for the stoplight wars, you'll have to buy a gasser........sorry to tell you.

Sparks, There is a little reading in the archives if you bought a turbo 617 that has either had a previous owner that was not aware. Or just has not been maintained at all. Too many people just visulise a diesel as a large block of metal and do nothing if it still runs. The age old expression if it's not broke do not fix it seems to apply. The reality is it is broke to some extent in a lot of cases. To establish a baseline allows you to become familar with the car. A lot of things need to be checked out to get there. Starting with but not limited to valve adjustment, chain stretch, cam and pump timing, obstructed airways on accesory controls and lines, Vaccum system health, linkage slop, and many more items. Fortunatly so many other people have trod the path it's all in the archives and the average guy can pull it off with a little reading and minumin financial outlay. Make yourself a list and work through it systematically. If everything checks out you will feel better and have gotten familiar with your engine and car to some extent. The next time you do any of these items or just recheck them down the road will be like a walk in the park by comparison. Well worth the effort in my opinion. Also if you ever buy another example many times they are not running right. You will have an inkling of what the reason is and perhaps enable yourself to buy it up cheap. Or at least know what you are getting into.

After adjusting the linkage and getting some response, I adjusted the ALDA 1 and 1/2 turns - still no cloud of black smoke, but will now spin tires in grass or loose gravel - getting performance at least close to what I expect from reading other posts. Drives wonderfully - now if I just had a drivers side hood latch assembly, I'd be ready to go!!

Congratulations Wahlspyder. Your tachometer works!!?? Can I borrow that little black round plastic doo hickey thingy(RPM sensor aka TACH amp) on the left fender well? LOL, just kidding. You will find that a lot of the guy's TACH's don't work on that system and that part is BUKA $$ (darn it)

By the way, welcome to the bermuda "Triangle" aka "Star" chamber(MBZ hood emblem) of vehicle Obsession. Why else would I be perusing this forum at 12:00 midnight?

I love the cheap fixes on these stroodle burners. In addition, I'll race a rice burner anyday. So what if that ricer pulls away at first, I'm cruzin' a BENZ man. Also, if theres a crash, guess who is going to walk away unscathed. Just kidding, I don't advocate street racing, take it to the track.

This weekends planned projects: changing front shocks for a horrendous shaking problem in front end when I hit bumps on freeway at 65-70 +(has KYB's from PO). I hope that fixes it. Changing Instrument cluster bulbs(too dim at night, using 1.2 watt bulbs only). Changing rear tail and brake light bulbs, adding bulb in extra socket. Replace missing screws for lower parts of headlamp frames, previous "installer" was to lazy apparently, lights vibrate when going over bumps.
Adjusting Rack Dampner pin on Inj. pump for the idle "rocking" or "washing machine" syndrome issue. Checking engine shocks and a few other things I will no doubt come across.

Going shopping at my local benz parts supplier, oh the anticipation.

Drive around er ah, road testing and look for an abandon MBZ with an RPM sensor it don't need, LOL. It's a good thing I'm not married. She would be classified as a Benz-aholic widow.:fork_off: I'm jonesing to get another one already(had mine abut 6 mos).

Best $200 I ever spent.

__________________
1982 MBZ 300SD Turbo Diesel- just turned 200,000- just breaking her in

Please educate the neophyte about this ALDA. What is it, and how do I adjust it?

Thanks

Mark in MA
1983 300SD 242k
1997 Suburban K2500 6.5TD

Do a search for ALDA - you will get much more information than I can give - I am a neophyte myself (good word by the way) - My understanding is that basically it allows you to adjust the pump pressure and supply more fuel to the engine. It is supposed to automatically account for differences in altitude etc. If I am wrong, someone please correct me, but this is the impression I get from the discussion available here.