W126 300SD Mercedes-Benz OM617 ALDA Delete - Step by Step

[@rb.867]

Oh my!!, I bought the Doomsday diesel egr delete and the Alda delete for my 1984 300 sd , it is an INCREDIBLE difference!! I just drove 35 miles where there is a hill that it usually has to downshift to get up it, it climbed right up the hill no problem without downshifting! It’s sooooooo much smoother transmission shifting too, it probably was leaking vacuum internally . I cannot believe the difference in power and transmission shifts. I’m impressed,Impalaman. Thankyou for your video.:)

[@ImpalamansGarage]

Glad it worked out for you!

[@termainerobinson5373]

How much better is it

[@superjesus4307]

Because your alda was broken, removing it allowed the stock 120hp to return, you didn't increase performance.

[@inovahightechltd]

Mr. Impalaman, the ALDA is quite a piece of equipment to be wreck-end with…… One precision part which has been hailed by the American Toupee Manufacturers Association as a true money maker. Altitude presses the pin down, reducing fuel amount (leaning out) and pressure from turbo charger pulls pin up which increases fuel amount (enrichment). The two internal altitude capsules tend to crack overtime and no longer function as altitude sensor because they have lost their internal vacuum which then in turn causes an inconsistent fuel amount as you outlined in your theoretical abstract of the whipsaw acceleration phenomenon, commonly better known as “F…. up ALDA”. With many greetings, your Buddy Peter from Kansas. Keep up the good work!

[@ImpalamansGarage]

Peter you kill me my friend. LOL..... My ALDA is indeed "“F…. up". ha ha..... I had planned to disassemble it for inspection. It certainly is nice going up hills in 4th gear.

[@inovahightechltd]

@@ImpalamansGarage Mr. Imapalman, a scientific dissection of this highly precise instrument documented in your usual neat video production presented as a statement of principles would be absolutely marvelous and most welcomed! Your buddy Peter from Kansas. P.S. I have been told since first grade that I am an highly “inappropriate” person and my behavior left things to be desired…… They forgot to mention deplorable…..

[@ImpalamansGarage]

We're on the same page. An ALDA dissection is in the cards for sure.

[@elvisquezada2113]

Great video !! Thanks for all you do to show us how best keep this oldies on the road .

[@johnh.2412]

Mike, i finally got around to buying an ALDA delete cap for my 1984 300SD from doomsdaydiesel and WOW what a difference, nice power off the line and going up hills!

[@ImpalamansGarage]

@johnh.2412 it's amazing isn't it ?

[@johnh.2412]

@@ImpalamansGarage i got the car in 1990 so i can't remember if it was always that slow or maybe the ALDA got worse over the years, either way it's perfect now! thanks

[@BijanImandoust]

Just did the egr delete on my 85 300sd .what a difference. My mercedes mechanic told me not to mess with the alda because of how delicate they are. But already bought the kit. Foing to do it this tuesday. As well as fixed my burned out cluster light bulbs with LEDs.

[@ImpalamansGarage]

I've had zero issues after the EGR and ALDA delete.

[@termainerobinson5373]

What's the big difference after removing it?

[@termainerobinson5373]

Well

[@hanseich]

I’m always a bit suspicious of doing work like this, because I know the MB engineers thought of something when they put it in there. I wonder what function was lost? Did all the engines always come with an ALDA? Even the early versions?

[@rb.867]

I just deleted the egr and the Alda both from DDD , the Egr plug didn’t work it was way to thick it didn’t fit in the factory clamp so I just cut the factory flex tubing where it was straight, smashed it flat and bent it over twice and reinstalled it on the exhaust manifold. The Alda was super tight on my injection pump and since I had no idea what the size wrench I held the big bottom nut with a one and one 1/16 wrench and used a small ball peen hammer to loosen the Alda assembly and it came right off. On my road test I did absolutely notice a smoother acceleration and more low end power than before and more zip while cruising. Thanks Impalaman !

[@rb.867]

This was my first one mile roadtest comment

[@rb.867]

I got rid of the factory ac GM setup and went all Japanese air conditioning kit from a company in California. My condenser ruptured and the man made me one up

[@ImpalamansGarage]

Previous owner of this car did the R134 conversion. The AC on this car works well so for now I won't fool with it.

[@rb.867]

My ac is as cold as the R12 system was

[@jamesadams2333]

I’m certainly glad this worked out for ya! I would still check your turbo output. I heard these guys are supposed to put out 9-10 psi about although I’ve heard folks do bump it up a number or two. I guess the waste gates get a bit sticky 🤣. Well done on the video!

[@franklabbrador9279]

Good job. My 81 is pretty punchy on the taking off.....Thanks for sharing.

[@ImpalamansGarage]

If you have plenty of power already, yoir issue might be somewhere else. However removing to see the effect won't hurt anything. Can always reinstall.

[@maxmiliano7887]

Before you plug that port on the intake manifold. It would be a good spot for boost gauge

[@ImpalamansGarage]

It just has a threaded plug in there that can be removed at any time.

[@peterkok2528]

@@ImpalamansGarage what did you do with the line going from the intake manifold?

[@xsiaze]

@@peterkok2528 I use the top port for my boost reference , isnt it the same tho ?

[@Engineerd3d]

On my car the witch over valve was done for. Once I bypassed it, i got my boost back. I had off idle drivability issues as well. My Alda still has the factory rubber plug on it so it's never been touched.

[@ImpalamansGarage]

Dude the difference in around-town drivability after removing the one from my car is nothing short of astonishing.

[@ImpalamansGarage]

Switch over valve on mine was literally brand new because I broke the original one a couple years ago. LMAO So I know that was not the issue.

[@Engineerd3d]

@@ImpalamansGarage I'm glad to hear this. However for me at this time it's staying. My turbo needs a bearing rebuild first. Looking forward to doing this in spring.

[@thefinaltouchdetailinggrap4409]

I’d imagine with the DD Stock Pump Turbo with the Alda Delete would have a lot of torque as the turbo will be at 5psi by 1500 rpm when the stock turbo doesn’t build boost till 1800rpm

[@vintage76vipergreenBeetle]

Didn't know a ALDA delete kit was available. I wonder if Pierre would approve of this modification.🤔

[@ImpalamansGarage]

LOL.... don't know. We can ask. Benz Force has one too. Same price. Doomsday's part is prettier though. I know one thing. It's not going back on unless someone makes a very good argument to the contrary. I've seen no extra smoke emitted from the tail pipe. It has literally transformed the drivability of the car.

[@vintage76vipergreenBeetle]

@@ImpalamansGarage I'm not going ask Pierre about that modification.🤐😁 I think he made a video about ALDA. Can't remember right now. If I owned a diesel MB, I would do the same modification.

[@MrTesedgar]

Nice video very good content. Question mine doesn't have that switch over valve is that normal not to have it . The hose from intake goes straight to Alda. Thanks

[@ImpalamansGarage]

Someone removed the valve in question on your car previously most likely. Mine is gone now as well. Car uns fine. Of course this makes the car not original. I kept everything I removed in case I want to sell later.

[@wernerdanler2742]

I assume ALDA is an acronym. What does it stand for, and what exactly is it supposed to do? Is it some sort of fuel pressure regulator and will removing it affect your fuel mileage?

[@ImpalamansGarage]

I believe it's an acronym from German words. It's dual purpose: Altitude compensation and prevention of smoke and low RPM (emissions device).

[@ryankc9oza118]

Definitely will be doing this soon

[@ImpalamansGarage]

I see no reason to keep it on the car.

[@Ajme-kb4os]

@@ImpalamansGarage if you send your pump in for 7.5 mm elements, it’s required to be sent in with the pump.

[@ImpalamansGarage]

@@Ajme-kb4os I've heard that. It's now safely tucked away in a cabinet in a box and labeled. :)

[@Ajme-kb4os]

@@ImpalamansGarage I put a holset he221 turbo on my engine. But never touched the Alda, maybe I oughta adjust mine out some and see if it helps driveability until I can afford sending my pump in. Thanks for the video!

[@ImpalamansGarage]

@@Ajme-kb4os What change in performance did you realize by upgrading the turbo ?

[@tylerhamilton181]

Im definitely doing this asap. I have terrible off idle power. I'm rebuilding the turbo aswell because it's shot. Anyone ever tell you that you sound like Jeff Foxworthy?

[@ImpalamansGarage]

All country boys sound alike. lol

[@tylerhamilton181]

@@ImpalamansGarage thanks for making these videos. It's nice to have first hand experience with deleting or modifying something to see if its even worth doing.

[@ImpalamansGarage]

@@tylerhamilton181 Removing the ALDA is sort of a controversial thing because it is an emissions device in addition to an altitude compensator. However if it is broken and the internal vacuum of the capsules has leaked out, it will rest in a more expanded state and will be more prone to press down on the rod on the pump and thus limit fuel. In my opinion I'd bet money that the ALDA on many of the high mileage Merc diesels from this era are non-functional. If it WERE working properly the car would not be such a slug and you would not have to adjust the screw all the way out just to get the car to move.

[@ImpalamansGarage]

@@tylerhamilton181 If you decide to have your pump modified for performance, you will need to consult the company that does the work about the ALDA. They may require that you send it to them. Hold on to it if you remove it.

[@rb.867]

So do you leave whatever is in the hole where you just removed the Alda in? Or?

[@ImpalamansGarage]

Yes. All you do is install the cap ..... "delete kit". You are covering the rod that was being depressed by the ALDA. Depressing the rod limits fuel flow. My ALDA clearly was not working properly and they are really hard to come by. I might be able to repair it. We'll see.

[@rb.867]

I broke mine by hitting it with a hammer

[@rb.867]

You can’t get the Alda assembly as it it part of the fuel injection pump I was told by Mercedes’ Benz dealer

[@rb.867]

It is calibrated with the fuel injection pump

[@ImpalamansGarage]

@@rb.867 I'd bet good money that 90% of the ALDAs on all OM617 engines with a lot of miles on them are non-functional. Meaning the copper capsules inside have leaked and no longer hold vacuum. This causes them limit fuel much more than they were designed for.

[@7425park]

Have you determined the mpg affect? Any other post delete comments?

[@ImpalamansGarage]

I've seen no adverse effects or changes in fuel economy. Maybe a tiny bit of extra smoke? Primary impact is GREATLY improved off-idle performance. You basically get full fuel off idle so driving in heavy traffic now is very nice. To those arguing that this mod will make you roll coal where ever you go, go take a look at the motortrend retro review of the 300SD. Watch their performance tests and observe the diesel smoke in the old video. Keep in mind that was a brand new car they were testing.

[@sreyes1103]

Isn’t messing with the ALDA bad for the motor and turbo?

[@ImpalamansGarage]

The ALDA is an altittude compensation device to keep the engine from burming too much fuel at high altitude. How high? Don't know. Too much fuel equals lots of black smoke. Also it supposedly helps with smoke emissions in regular off idle part throttle conditions. Now having said all that go watch the Motortrend retro review of the 300SD from the early 80s on youtube. Watch how much A BRAND NEW 300SD smokes during their acceleration tests. You can see it in the footage. My car runs fine, performs like a normal 120hp car should, doesn't drive like you're towing a boat anchor and still gets the same mpg it always did. So in my oponion, no it does not hurt the engine.

[@sreyes1103]

@@ImpalamansGarage Thank you for the info, my concern was more on the longevity of the motor. I currently have 150k on it and trying to get it to the 500k mark lol. Would you mind sharing the link to where you purchased the ALDA Delete?

[@ImpalamansGarage]

@@sreyes1103 www.doomsdaydiesel.net/product-page/alda-delete

[@montaking6332]

Mike, why was the ALDA there in the first place? What are the risks in deleating it? Do you know if the 603 has an ALDA? THANKS! 🙂

[@ImpalamansGarage]

Monta King - Yes the 603 does have one. Recommend reviewing the comment on this video by user "INOVA HIGHTECH Ltd". That will explain exactly what the ALDA does. Mine is probably broken or leaking but I won't know for sure until I disassemble it. Removing it most likely restored off-idle performance to normal. I'd say the risk is zero. My car runs great and I've seen no changes from the exhaust. This is an emissions device plus also an altitude compensation device. The question I'd ask myself is: "Do I have to floor my car to make it do pretty much everything?" If the answer is yes, there is a good chance the ALDA is broken, leaking or not adjusted properly. Check this out: kzbin.info/www/bejne/n2e3i2WYo9F0oKs

[@montaking6332]

@@ImpalamansGarage Thanks so much. Very helpful.

[@rb.867]

It is there to cut the engine power due to over boosting the turbo charger, but don’t hold the throttle to the floor and roll coal and you will be fine. I drive responsible and am no kid myself anymore so that’s the only way I drive.

[@rb.867]

What does the delete do to the fuel mileage??

[@ImpalamansGarage]

We'll find out before too long!

[@rb.867]

I ordered a bunch of gaskets and seal for the oil filter housing, it looks like it is my main oil leak, have you ever replaced all of the seals and gaskets on a 617 engine? If so ,do you have. Video?

[@ImpalamansGarage]

@@rb.867 Made a video of the oil filter housing and oil cooler line replacement. kzbin.info/www/bejne/bYDOeXV5rLyXsK8

[@rb.867]

Please message me the Alda delete kit price and where you got one, I need it !

[@ImpalamansGarage]

The link for the ALDA and the plug for the intake are in the description of the video.

[@rb.867]

@@ImpalamansGarage I found the website and ordered this delete kit as well as the EGR delete