How Do I Work Safely with a Trap Oxidizer - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

whunter · #1 06-05-2011, 01:07 PM

DANGER

I do NOT in any way suggest, endorse or consider this an acceptable procedure.

The material inside is VERY DANGEROUS to your health = external burns, blindness, lung burns, death.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

A person I knew in the late 1980's took off his plugged Trap Oxidizer to gut it.

He bought an auto paint quality respirator, gloves, a large pry bar and sealed hazmat safety goggles.

A week later he called, and asked me to reinstall the empty shell of his Trap Oxidizer, because he had second degree burns on 40% of his body from the Oxidizer dust reacting to his sweat.

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How Do I Work Safely with Oxidizing Liquids and Solids?
http://www.ccohs.ca/oshanswers/prevention/oxidizing.html

What is a Class C - Oxidizing Materials?
Oxygen is necessary for a fire to occur. Some chemicals can cause other materials to burn by supplying oxygen. Oxidizers do not usually burn themselves but they will either help the fire by providing more oxygen or they may cause materials that normally do not burn to suddenly catch on fire (spontaneous combustion). In some cases, a spark or flame (source of ignition) is not necessary for the material to catch on fire but only the presence of an oxidizer. Oxidizers can also be in the form of gases (oxygen, ozone), liquids (nitric acid, perchloric acid solutions) and solids (potassium permanganate, sodium chlorite). Some oxidizers such as the organic peroxide family are extremely hazardous because they will burn (they are combustible) as well as they have the ability to provide oxygen for the fire. They can have strong reactions which can result in an explosion. The symbol for oxidizing materials is an "o" with flames on top of it inside a circle.
http://www.ccohs.ca/oshanswers/legisl/whmis_classifi.html

Jeremy5848 · #2 06-05-2011, 02:13 PM

Sounds like the safe way is "don't." Interesting that I have not seen any warnings of this hazard. When I removed the trap cat from my '85 300D-T (W123, OM617) I put it away and replaced it with a bypass pipe (for testing purposes only). I never fooled with the inside and the trap eventually passed to the new owner, still untouched.

I would think that an empty shell would affect exhaust flow to the detriment of engine performance.

Jeremy

whunter · #3 06-05-2011, 02:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jeremy5848

Sounds like the safe way is "don't." Interesting that I have not seen any warnings of this hazard. When I removed the trap cat from my '85 300D-T (W123, OM617) I put it away and replaced it with a bypass pipe (for testing purposes only). I never fooled with the inside and the trap eventually passed to the new owner, still untouched.

I would think that an empty shell would affect exhaust flow to the detriment of engine performance.

Jeremy

Correct, the safe answer is don't do it.

Replacing the trap oxidizer with a test pipe will NOT damage the engine, it will improve engine performance/power and MPG..

Jeremy5848 · #4 06-05-2011, 04:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by whunter

Correct, the safe answer is don't do it.

Replacing the trap oxidizer with a test pipe will NOT damage the engine, it will improve engine performance/power and MPG..

No mpg increase on my '85, probably because I enjoyed the improved performance too much.

ROLLGUY · #5 06-19-2012, 05:48 PM

Is a "Test Pipe" available, or does it need to be homemade?
I was toying with the idea of making a fixture to make test pipes, unless they are already available.

mach4 · #6 06-19-2012, 05:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ROLLGUY

I was toying with the idea of making a fixture to make test pipes, unless they are already available.

If you need someone to test one of your test pipes, let me know.

ROLLGUY · #7 06-19-2012, 07:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mach4

If you need someone to test one of your test pipes, let me know.

I have not found anyone that has one that I can test, so I will have to make my own. I don't have a good trap to make a fixture with. I have two, but both have the input flange broken off the body. I would need a complete one to make a fixture....Rich

shadetree77 · #8 06-19-2012, 08:13 PM

i've got the replacement pipe for the OM603 3.0, if you're looking for the OM617 one i would assume it's the same as the non-trap?

ChiefRider · #9 06-19-2012, 08:41 PM

Why would you still have a trap oxidizer?

shadetree77 · #10 06-19-2012, 08:52 PM

some car's still have them, i guess the ones that were not dealer serviced. i have a friend in norway who has a SDL and it still had the trap ox on it, but the MB dealer over there wouldn't honor the recall since it's a U.S. market only car.

SoCal Diesel · #11 06-20-2012, 02:33 AM

How long is the recall good for? I recently purchased an '87 300 TDT and the trap oxidizer is still in place. I am in CA and the car was delivered new in CA.

auspumpen · #12 06-20-2012, 04:25 AM

I dropped a friend's '85 300TD at the dealer last week to have the trap replaced under recall. Apparently a few are still out there.

Just call the dealer with your VIN and they'll check to see if it's been replaced. If not, then they'll schedule an appointment to inspect the car. They'll order the parts, and then you come back to have the recall completed.

Jeremy5848 · #13 06-20-2012, 11:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SoCal Diesel

How long is the recall good for? I recently purchased an '87 300 TDT and the trap oxidizer is still in place. I am in CA and the car was delivered new in CA.

Technically it's a "trap catalyst" but we won't quibble. The recall is most likely good until Mercedes runs out of parts. You will also get a new exhaust system out of the recall and possibly a turbocharger, if the dealer's mechanics think it has been damaged by stuff coming out of the trap. In my case the turbo and entire exhaust system were replaced and at no charge to me. They had the car for most of a week because the turbo had to be ordered after the car was disassembled.

Jeremy

Jeremy5848 · #14 06-20-2012, 11:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ROLLGUY

I have not found anyone that has one that I can test, so I will have to make my own. I don't have a good trap to make a fixture with. I have two, but both have the input flange broken off the body. I would need a complete one to make a fixture....Rich

A couple of years ago one of the forum members was making test pipes. You may be able to find him if you search the forum for "test pipe" or some similar term.

Jeremy

ROLLGUY · #15 06-20-2012, 01:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jeremy5848

A couple of years ago one of the forum members was making test pipes. You may be able to find him if you search the forum for "test pipe" or some similar term.

Jeremy

I looked, but could not find anything other than:
http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/diesel-discussion/295637-monstercraftsmen-trap-cat-bypass-diy-install-pics-cali-w123.html