Hi guys-
I've had problems with acceleration. The car is a pig!
I've had the valves adjusted and the fuel pump adjusted. My mechanic said it could be the fuel pump. He also said he wants to do a compression check. The car has 185,000 miles and has been well maintained. If there is a problem with the compression that means major engine work. My question is. Is it likely that the compression would be bad in this case? What about the fuel pump? Please, any thoughts.
Best-
Ed

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Ed
1985 300D w/ 196,000 miles

Ed

Your car is a REAL slug off the line. I would start by chaning all fuel filters then have your mechanic check and adjust the injection pump timing. I highly doubt you have low compression, your car does OK once the turbo kicks in and the motor sounds good and strong, it just dont act strong for some reason..

John

try changing the fuel filters, when i first bought my 86 it wouldnt have any pickup and it would just die uphill, then i changed the fuel filters and it incresased dramatically it was like night and day

Once your fuel filters are taken care of, follow the boost sensing line (white/translucent 1/4") from the ALDA on top of the injection pump to the overboost protection switch on the fire wall and to the banjo fiting on the back of the intake manifold. Remove the hollow bolt from the intake manifold and make sure it is not obstucted with carbon and gunk (mind the two copper washers)you can use cab cleaner and a small screwdriver to clean in out. If you remove the end at the injection pump you should be abe to blow through the line back to the intake with no leaks or obstuction. This will make a huge difference in how your car runs.

If it starts well in cold weather don't waste money on a compression check.

Thanks H2o and 300 SDL-
I've checked all that and the car is still not responding properly.

Peter, I'm having the compression checked tomorrow. (What should it be?). Is there anyway to test the ALDA? Is it difficult to install. By the way, it does not smoke at all. I think you might be right about the ALDA.

Thanks guys.
Ed

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Ed
1985 300D w/ 196,000 miles

what is the overboost protection switch and what does it do do all turbo diesels have these and where are they located? thanks

Turn the ALDA clockwise 1/2 turn, but be careful and mark exactly were it was. See if that helps.

John

Isn't it counterclockwise to get more fuel?

Alex

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1983 300D (parked for four years)
2012 VW Sportwagen TDI Manual
2001 Miata SE
1962 Chevrolet Corvair Rampside

Here is the list someone else passed along to me:

Disable EGR
Tighten Throttle Linkage
Clean out bolt/bango fitting at the rear of the intake manifold. Same for switchover valve
Fuel Filters
Valve adjustment
Lubro Moly Diesel Purge
Bypass overboost Protection relay
Adjust wastegate settings, but only after measuring current boost pressures
Tune the ALDA fuel/air settings. Be cautious...adjustment springs break

Don

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DAILY DRIVERS:
'84 300DT 298k (Aubrey's)
'99.5 Jetta TDI IV 251k (Julie's)
'97 Jetta TDI 127k (Amber's)
'97 Jetta TDI 186k (Matt's)
'96 Passat TDI 237k (Don's
'84 300D 211k Mint (Arne- Undergoing Greasecar Conversion)

SOLD:
'82 240D 229k (Matt's - Converted-300DT w/ 4 speed

It is counterclockwise (out) for more fuel. Adjust for faint smoke in rearview at full throttle, under load, at 3500rpm, in bright sunlight, fully wamed up. If it has never been touched one turn out is a good place to start.

Bob D.
83 300SD
84 300SD

No smoke at load under full throttle means inadequate fuel. Filters, first, since one tank of dirty fuel can take forever to get rid of, boost control lines (by now all the rubber is shot, replace all of it), ALDA crapped up, especially if the boost lines are dirty, defective/maladjusted ALDA, bad turbo. No boost, and these things only generate about 80-90 hp, would be like driving my 220D -- VERY slow!

I'm going to tackle my brothers 87 300SDL tonight or tomorrow, same problem, along with late, high rpm shifts (usually a vacuum problem, same source -- dead rubber connectors).

If it starts easily, compression is OK -- minimum is 320 psi, factory new is 420 psi.

Belive me, if it is below 320 you will know it!

Peter

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1972 220D ?? miles
1988 300E 200,012
1987 300D Turbo killed 9/25/07, 275,000 miles
1985 Volvo 740 GLE Turobodiesel 218,000
1972 280 SE 4.5 165, 000 - It runs!

Hi guys-
I checked the compression...#1- 350Lbs, #2-325lbs, #3-350lbs, #4-350lbs, #5-350lbs.
Adjusted the Aneroid screw and it made a difference. I estimate I adjusted it about one full turn counter clockwise (a 1/4 turn at a time). Each turn seemed to improve performance. Should I continue to adjust?
I still don't get smoke if I accelerate hard in neutral.
Thanks.

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Ed
1985 300D w/ 196,000 miles

where???

Lookat my previous post regarding ALDA adjustment. The right way is on a test stand but the test conditions I described are tried and true. If you follow it you will be very very close to a bench set pump tuned for good performance.

Bob D.
83 300SD
84 300SD

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Bob D.
Parrish, FL
1 SDL, 1 D, 1 TD, 1 Mog

Ok Guys we did it!
Its like a new car. I adjusted the Aneroid adjustment screw another full turn counter clockwise. What a difference. Thank you everybody. I really appreciate the help!
Ed

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Ed
1985 300D w/ 196,000 miles