Need advice on 300TD-T
 

first time poster here...

i'm trying to get up to speed on a few issues. mainly, the "trap" issue in years 1981 thru 1984.

from what my friend tells me, '81 ~ '83 are pretty much problem free as far as the trap oxidizer is concerned. however, we're not sure if '84 was a problem year, or if half of the production had the trap oxidizer, or...

any information at this point would be helpful. also, if anyone feels that any year between '81 and '84 is a standout year, please let me know. thanks!

the cars up to 83 don't have trap oxidizers at all, 84 and up might have em in California, Else where they weren't required, so they didn't have em

Get the 85 Federal version
 

Hi,

Avoiding the trap oxider is easy, just make sure you get a Federal version and avoid the CA MB cars. They all had the trap oxiders to my knowledge. I am not aware of Federals having this device, but I could be wrong.

Its very easy to spot on the turbo side and the way I recognize is that all the ones with traps have the big tube type filters rather than the 'chevy' round style as I like to refer to them.

You will want to avoid 82 and 83 unless you like 85 MPH speedos. They can be replaced but thats why I like the 84 and 85 vintage 123s.

Good luck,

Morph

I have a 1983 and it DOES have a 120 MPH speedo. Personally I like my model year because it has the turbo, the nicer carpet and seats, and the wider range speedo, but without all the emissions junk.

Alex

i should've mentioned that i live in CA. while that may initially limit my ability to find a "Federal" 300TD-T, i would be willing to check Arizona, Nevada, Oregon, etc.

Traps don't exist anymore. There was a recall and they were replaced with a soot canister or something like that.

I think that the '85's were a great year. The torque converter was changed as well as a few other things ( I can't remember right now).

By now I thought most every diesel owner had disconnected their emissions anyway.

I sold mine and I kick myself everyday. In fact, I'm trying to buy it back from the new owner.:)

BTW, I live in So. Cal also.

Craig

1984 California cars do NOT have a trap oxidizer, 1985 cars DO.

1985 cars also have a significantly more "Rube Goldberg-ized" emission control system with many more vacuum valves, vacuum lines, solenoids, etc. More stuff to go wrong, IMO. Conversely, when I was looking for my 123, I drove two 1985 models, and they both drove very nicely - the trans (modifications?) are very nice, and they both accelerated just as well as the 84's even though the 85's have a slightly taller rear end ratio.

There were several addtional changes for the 1985 model year nationwide, which means some parts are not interchangable with the earlier years, therefore your supply pool is somewhat limited when looking for certain used parts.

RTH

According to Performance Products catalog, the vacuum systems for the 1984/1985 CA and the 1985 US cars are the same.

Craig

Be aware of the fact that 300TD (wagon) started using turbo in 1981 but 300D was in 1982.

Both 1984 and 1985 Calif 300D/SD have a simple comupter controling the smog devices that makes the cars have slower take-off than the early year. It is worst in 1985 California due to an addition of the trap (now replaced by a trap looking device called Catalyst).

The good things about 85 300D/SD Calfornia are:
1. There is more room for fixing a leaking turbo oil return tube under the turbo.
2. You do not need to remove the air filter housing before changing the battery.
3. Since the air filter housing is a new design which does not have the problem of breaking mounting stubs the old design has.

The bad things:
1. Air filter is expensive.
2. Starter is hard to find. If you do find it, in most cases, it is expensive.
3. The Catalyst (trap replacement) can clog and it is a $700 job, part and labor.

David

I have California 1985 300 tdt I have owned for the last 10 years in both Southern and Northern Calif. Most trap oxidizers are gone now. They had to be replaced every 30,000 miles to avoid potential engine damage due to clogging. In addition you had to only approved fuel additives. From late 90's on MBZ dealers replaced the oxidizer with a catalyst that is, according to MBZ, good for the "life" of the car. This change was done for no charge at any MBZ dealer as part of their state mandated emissions program. According to Red Line, the new catalyst can use any type of fuel additive without harm. Since diesels are exempt from Ca. smog rules you could just take the whole system out if you wanted but my sense is it's more complicated than it sounds. I've just left mine alone and it has given me zero trouble. Everyone is right about the smogged cars being slower but I have driven my '85 and a friend's Texas origin '82 and found the difference is barely noticable. Just go with the best car you can find. If it's an '84 or '85 from Calif. be sure the car has been converted to a catalyst. You can't tell by looking, at least I couldn't. Ask your local dealer service dept. and they can look it up for you on "MBNet". It should be a free conversion if it is not already done.