Sticky ALDA screw - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

JEREMYC · #1 12-27-2006, 10:42 AM

Morning all. My ALDA screw had been tampered with prior to me owning the car. I have read the many posts regarding the removal of the ALDA and most of them seem to be for the 603. My car seemed a little sluggish off of the line so I tried adjusting the screw. When I loosen the nut so I can turn the screw, the scew moves with the nut. I finally got them to move seperately but I have to hold the nut while turning the screw.

In addition to this, I can only move my adjusting screw about a 1/4 turn before encountering stiffness. I can twist it back and forth and get it to move the direction I want it to go but it takes several turns back and forth in the each direction to get it to move. I ended up getting it turned CCW about a 1/4 turn and it did make a noticeable difference on low end power. I have not noticed an increase in smoke yet either.

I would like to remove it to clean it out to remove the stickyness and also to see how it performs with out it on there. I have a manual boost controller and gauge on the car. Any tips on removing the ALDA without destroying it?

JimZ · #2 12-27-2006, 02:29 PM

If you take the screw out without the alda, you will wreck your alda. I did just that last week and since then I have removed the entire alda. You can find my post - it's about 4 pages long now - if you search "alda removal in a 617."

It's easy to get the alda out. Use a 1 1/8" open end wrench on the big nut on top of the IP. Turn it cw while holding the alda with channel locks. If you leave it out, plug the boost line that went into the alda with a golf tee or something.

But, this is my advice:
If you feel like you have good power now, and it really only increased a little when you backed the alda screw out...I'd leave it as it is. You're not going to get too much more power and the amount of smoke you'll get will lead you to not really take advantage of the power. Unless you like leaving big black clouds of smoke.

From what I've read, removing the alda is a pretty great mod for a 603. In a 617 you will get a little more power, but the slight increase isn't really worth the big increase in your polluting.