California or Federal? - Page 3 - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

ImBroke · #31 01-19-2009, 03:03 PM

Lance, I may take you up on that shortly. I'm trying to figure out if I have all the parts to federalize it. I think I do, but I also think the turbo I wanted to use needs a rebuild. There is a lot of play in that shaft. Course, with me being away from home, I can't just run out and check the parts stash.

BioLuke · #32 01-19-2009, 04:51 PM

I never knew all this bad stuff about my 85 cali 300sd, looks like I have some work to do, or for the dealer to do.

All I knew was that the air filter was ridiculously expensive. Anyone know a k&n model that would fit, or some other option?

at 380K miles, my car hasn't suffered reduced longevity, perhaps due to the mountain of service records.

Thanks for the helpful posts.

#33 01-19-2009, 05:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BioLuke

my car hasn't suffered reduced longevity

It will with K&N trash in it.

Hit Man X · #34 01-19-2009, 06:10 PM

My '85 Federal SD is an '84 CA emission car from what I can recall. No TrapOx but has that ARV turbocharger... and my trans is the standard 722.3. I don't have the '85 only dude. Hell even the '85 CA starter is different.

When I purchase parts, I just punch up an '84 SD

Lance, what's the idea on how to swap from that early style metal breather line that runs by the manifolds on the switch to the '85 CA air cleaner setup?

I've got all the non EGR/non ARV crap to install but I'd like to use an SDL or that '85 CA style intake setup if possible. SDL is easier due to my W126 body.

BioLuke · #35 01-19-2009, 06:27 PM

I guess a k&n isn't right for this application, or perhaps any other (implied). $50 isn't so bad i guess...
I wish I had my mountain of service records with me right now to go through. I would like to see if the "old" trap oxidizer was switched out.
If I am the second owner, will a dealer still switch that equipment out?
Thanks.

#36 01-19-2009, 06:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hit Man X

Lance, what's the idea on how to swap from that early style metal breather line that runs by the manifolds on the switch to the '85 CA air cleaner setup?

The separator drain?

Quote:

Originally Posted by BioLuke

I guess a k&n isn't right for this application, or perhaps any other (implied).

You got it.

The only thing K&N is good for is race engines that get rebuilt every few hundred miles.

Quote:

$50 isn't so bad i guess...

Considering you only need to replace it once a year or every other year, $50 is a small price to pay for a well designed cold air intake. Its a pity it was only used for 1 year.

Quote:

I wish I had my mountain of service records with me right now to go through. I would like to see if the "old" trap oxidizer was switched out.
If I am the second owner, will a dealer still switch that equipment out?

Take it to the dealer, they can tell by the VIN if the recall is completed. It doesn't matter how many owners it has had, an active recall has to be honored by the dealer.

Hit Man X · #37 01-19-2009, 06:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ForcedInduction

The separator drain?.

Yup, that's it. Has the check valve in the pan.

#38 01-19-2009, 07:23 PM

I'd either make a catch can, take off the lower pan and tap the upper pan for a fitting or swap the upper pan.

Jeremy5848 · #39 01-19-2009, 07:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ForcedInduction

. . . Considering you only need to replace it once a year or every other year, $50 is a small price to pay for a well designed cold air intake. Its a pity it was only used for 1 year. . .

That's a good point. How warm does the Federal air cleaner get, sitting as it does over the turbo and exhaust pipe?

Quote:

Originally Posted by ForcedInduction

. . . Take it to the dealer, they can tell by the VIN if the recall is completed. It doesn't matter how many owners it has had, an active recall has to be honored by the dealer.

The 1987 300D (W124, OM603) had a similar recall "campaign;" the local dealer honored mine in 2006, many years after it was originally promoted and after who knows how many POs of my car. The same should be true of the OM617.

Jeremy

Hit Man X · #40 01-19-2009, 07:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ForcedInduction

I'd either make a catch can, take off the lower pan and tap the upper pan for a fitting or swap the upper pan.

Tap it for a plug? Jeremy sent me a pic of his upper pan, no fitting there at all. Isn't what's there just a one way check valve anyway?

That's really my only hold back from doing this.

#41 01-19-2009, 08:21 PM

Right, its a very low volume flow so a 1/4" or 3/8" hose would be plenty. I'm not sure how necessary a check valve really is. You can drill and tap the pan for a normal barb fitting.

Jeremy5848 · #42 01-19-2009, 08:22 PM

If I understand correctly, the Federal engine has two holes in the upper oil pan (air cleaner drain and turbo drain), the California only one (turbo drain).

123Guy · #43 01-19-2009, 08:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tarbe

As I continue my search for the Holy Grail of W123s, the question has popped into my simple mind..."do I want a CA or a Federal model?"

I believe I have read about a computer in the kick panel on later CA cars that controls EGR and ...something else?

I had considered the CA cars to be desirable because of the general condition of some of them, but are there any reasons to avoid tha CA models?

Look only at any Fed 123 up to 1984 - the 84's have all the good technology that went into the 123's, but not the extra pollution crap and under hood junk that MB loaded into the '85 Fed 123's. Stay away from any CA 123.
You're in Texas, you should be able to find the best car here. When we sold my wife's ML320 to a Colorado buyer on eBay, the auto hauler that picked it up said that most of his hauls are picking up beautiful cars in Dallas and Houston and trucking them up to the rust belt.

#44 01-19-2009, 09:43 PM

Thats the way it is up here. Best thing is to have a really nice summer car and a 4x4/awd snow beater or wash your car the moment the roads dry.

Hit Man X · #45 01-19-2009, 10:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ForcedInduction

Right, its a very low volume flow so a 1/4" or 3/8" hose would be plenty. I'm not sure how necessary a check valve really is. You can drill and tap the pan for a normal barb fitting.

But is it needed? See just below.

603s don't have a return back to the pan minus turbocharger oil drain.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jeremy5848

If I understand correctly, the Federal engine has two holes in the upper oil pan (air cleaner drain and turbo drain), the California only one (turbo drain).

Yes, I remember the pics. Odd to me.