Turbo not Working '87 300D - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

djankov · #1 08-20-2003, 03:21 PM

I shipped my '87 300D to Europe recently and drove it there about 2000 mi. The car performed great on the German Autobahns (no problem at 115 MPH+), however, my turbo stopped working. At first, upon arriving in Munich, the turbo would only kick in when RPMs were over 3500. I stopped by a Mercedes service place in Austria and they thought it was an oil hose on the turbo, which they replaced. Still no improvement. Since we were traveling over the alps, I thought it was possibly an altitude issue. As we decended into Italy towards Verona, the turbo worked great at any RPM over 2600. However, the next day after Venice, the turbo stopped working altogether for the remainder of the trip (10 days).

Any ideas?

'87 300D 185,000mi
'01 CLK 430 Convertible 26,000mi

gsxr · #2 08-20-2003, 03:33 PM

The turbo is probably fine. Probably an occluded signal line from the intake manifold to the ALDA, that allows fuel enrichment when boost is present. To pronounce the turbo "not working", you'd need to connect a pressure gauge and prove that there is low (or zero) pressure. And then make sure the wastegate is OK. There is no oil "hose" on the turbo at all. There are metal oil feed & return lines. Garrett turbos have a rubber hose to the wastegate, but if that breaks or fails, it won't limit power - it will prevent the wastegate from opening and provide too MUCH boost, which could trigger the electrical overboost protection circuit (which kills the signal to the ALDA).

HTH,

djankov · #3 08-20-2003, 05:34 PM

Now that you mention it, it was a rubber hose to the wastegate that was cracked and replaced. The turbo did work afterwards so I don't think the electrical overboost protection circuit triggered.
Does the ALDA need servicing usually, and where exactly is is located?

gsxr · #4 08-20-2003, 07:19 PM

The ALDA is on top of the injection pump, under the intake manifold. The ALDA requires no maintenance. However the plastic tubing that feeds it does, especially the electric switchover valve, and the fitting at the intake manifold, both of which can get plugged with soot. Disabling the EGR eliminates the soot problem. Photos:

http://www.meimann.com/images/mercedes/OM603_injection/ALDA_removal1.jpg

http://www.meimann.com/images/mercedes/OM603_injection/cruise_fix_before.jpg

HTH,

kerry · #5 08-20-2003, 07:52 PM

Tell us how you shipped your car to Europe. How much did it cost? Who shipped it, from where? Did you ship it back? Why did you ship it?

djankov · #6 08-20-2003, 08:34 PM

Thanks gsxr, I will tell my mechanic (in europe) what to try. I'll keep everyone posted.

Kerry, to answer your question, I shipped it from Long Beach to Hamburg Germany. It cost about $1400 and took about 5 weeks. I plan to keep it in Belgrade with my mom and use it when I'm there. Many people told me to buy a used car in Germany that it would be cheaper. However, if you want A/T, A/C, Power Windows, Doors etc., forget it on an older car. Also, I wanted to personally check it out mechanically before shipping it. I may sell it there when I don't need it anymore; they don't see cars in that good of a shape over there.

kerry · #7 08-20-2003, 10:04 PM

DID you keep your US registration and insurance? Were there any import problems or duties?
I ask because I bought a Mercedes motorhome over in the UK which I used for the last 2 years and just sold. But I am curious about how easy it is to ship one over there.

djankov · #8 08-20-2003, 10:39 PM

I kept my CA registration on the car. Since it is a Diesel, it is exempt from smog and I can renew my registration by mail. US Insurance is no good there, so I bought liability insurance from ADAC (equivalent to AAA) for 1 month. When I arrived in Belgrade, I bought their insurance, which was not that bad for liabiity. Theft and collision was not available.
At the port in Hamburg, I drove the car out of customs and they asked to see the insurance card. I told them I was a tourist and they let me go my way.
Wallenius Wilhelmsen was the shipping line; they offer Roll On/Roll Off service from many US ports. Their number is 805-488-4000 if you need any more details.

djankov · #9 12-08-2003, 02:55 AM

gsxr was 100% correct. I sent a new overboost switchover valve to europe and the MB dealer installed it and cleared the soot in the line. The turbo works great again!

Originally they didn't want to because they do not install customer supplied parts, but then we told them it is a US model and gave them the repair pages from the service manual and then they took care of it.

They also diagnosed and fixed a battery drain due to a faulty relay connection on the fuse that is used by the power seats.

All this cost $60 at an Authorized dealer!

1987 300D 186,000 mi
1987 300TD 195,000 mi
2001 CLK 430 convertible 31,000 mi