I own an '83 300SD and it's kind of sluggish, someone suggested that the alda banjo bolt might be clogged; I checked it and it's clean as a whistle, same with the lines, all clean, but there's no fuel running through them, the ALDA unit seems to be getting no fuel. is this a serviceable part? how would I take it out and apart? should i take out the injector pump as well?

Your expertise would be greatly appreciated!

~Daneil

The ALDA does not and should not have fuel in any part of it. The pressure from the intake manifold causes the ALDA to allow more fuel to be injected. In other words the ALDA limits the travel of the rack inside the IP which controls the amount of fuel delivered.
A sluggish diesel is in part a matter of opinion. Do you have an example to compare it against? This will let you know if it is really sub par. You could also try a 0-60 acceleration to give you an idea how it stacks up against others. I don't own an SD, but I think it should be in the 13s range for 0-60. What speed is it sluggish? Changed the filters lately? We need more info to be able to help.

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For Sale: 1982 MB 300TD
1995 Chevrolet Suburban 6.5TD

Sold: 1980 IH Scout Traveler- Nissan SD33T Diesel

I dont think fuel is suppose to go in there, its just air.

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Current Garage
2008 Mercedes GL320 CDI 188k mi Repair/Work in progress
1994 S350 160k mi Garage Queen & prepping for repairs
2005 E320 CDI 203k mi Healthy & Daily Driver
1994 S350 357k mi Retried as parts car
1984 300TD 214k mi Blown OM617 Poss OM603 Swap??

Sold
1987 300SDL 200K+
1994 S320 181K mi
2008 E320 Bluetec 127k mi
1999 S420 130K mi
1980 240D 360k mi
15+ Others that has come, stay and gone

GONE, BUT NOT FORGOTTEN
1995 E320 SE 220k mi
1984 300SD 350k mi

Did you replace fuel filters? Adjust valves? Check linkage? Adjust turbo? Do all of these things in order.

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http://superturbodiesel.com/images/sig.04.10.jpg
1995 E420 Schwarz
1995 E300 Weiss
#1987 300D Sturmmachine
#1991 300D Nearly Perfect
#1994 E320 Cabriolet
#1995 E320 Touring
#1985 300D Sedan
OBK #42

Thank you much guys... I just bought my Benz and we're still getting to know each other... So those lines should be dry then... Ok. They are dry then... :0 I consider sluggish acceleration when I compare it to my '87 Cadillac Fleetwood brougham and makes it flle like a bugatti veyron in comparison. I Know Diesels are slow but not this slow... I changed the first fuel filter and I just discovered an oil filter-like fuel filter which i'll proceed to change and see what that does. Turbo's doing good as far as I can tell, once it kicks in the car flies. Valves... Hmm... I hope I won't have to go there. Again, thank you all, really appreciate the ideas!

Are you starting in second gear perhaps?

__________________
http://superturbodiesel.com/images/sig.04.10.jpg
1995 E420 Schwarz
1995 E300 Weiss
#1987 300D Sturmmachine
#1991 300D Nearly Perfect
#1994 E320 Cabriolet
#1995 E320 Touring
#1985 300D Sedan
OBK #42

I think the valve adjustment interval is something like 15K. So your going to want to get that done soon anyway. Starting in second is a good possibility. Count your shifts.

__________________
For Sale: 1982 MB 300TD
1995 Chevrolet Suburban 6.5TD

Sold: 1980 IH Scout Traveler- Nissan SD33T Diesel

Well, I found out that the car IS supposed to be that slow... The Engine actually looks like someone just rebuilt it, lots of brand new parts and the engine looks showroom-like. There's a very nice and thorough description of the 300sd performance here:
http://everything2.com/e2node/Mercedes-Benz%2520300SD%2520W126
Oh, and the car is starting on first gear, no problems there... Just that i wasn't used to driving a diesel... As I said, we're just getting to know each other here...
Thank you all very much for all inputs!