Why are the older diesels slow and gutless? Can anything be done about it?
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Why are the older diesels slow and gutless? Can anythin... - 11/27/2006 5:43:00 PM
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gregp1962
Posts: 8
Joined: 11/20/2006
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I realize that electronic fuel injection made a HUGE difference in diesel engine performance. But, I don't understand why older diesels are soooo slow. Is there any retorfitting that can be done to an older diesel to make it burn cleaner and have more power?
< Message edited by gregp1962 -- 11/27/2006 6:18:59 PM >
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RE: Why are the older diesels slow and gutless? Can any... - 11/27/2006 11:59:16 PM
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ForcedInduction
Posts: 893
Joined: 5/20/2006
From: Federal Heights, Colorado
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Not really. If you want a faster diesel, look for on from 1987 or later.
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RE: Why are the older diesels slow and gutless? Can any... - 11/28/2006 5:38:20 PM
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Charles Munn
Posts: 244
Joined: 8/19/2006
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quote:
ORIGINAL: gregp1962
I realize that electronic fuel injection made a HUGE difference in diesel engine performance. But, I don't understand why older diesels are soooo slow. Is there any retorfitting that can be done to an older diesel to make it burn cleaner and have more power?
It seems many Mercedes 123 owners with 617 engines regularly do the Lubro Molly diesel purge, as well as the occasional Italian overhaul.
They also insure that the inner workings of the banjo nut on the intake manifold and the clear plastic tube going up to the switchover valve is kept clean and soot free. ( you can find a pictorial of that on dieselgiant.com )
It seems many pull both plastic tubes off of the switchover valve and connect them together, thereby by-passing the switchover. The plastic tube then essentially runs directly from the banjo nut to the ALDA. Man, you'll see a world of difference!
Some even go further by adjusting the ALDA nut until, when reving the engine, they see a touch of black smoke. Then they back off until there's hardly any black smoke.  Hence the old adage, "Man, he's smokin'!"
Finally, they put a bb pellet or small bearing into the plastic tube just as it enters the EGR......
I strongly suspect you'll be extremely pleased at the performance, especially if you drive a 300D T. But if one is driving in steep mountainous country pulling a heavy load, it seems without a switchover valve, there's a risk of ruining your engine. Also, I've read that it's very easy to break off the ALDA nut....
< Message edited by Charles Munn -- 11/28/2006 5:42:22 PM >
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RE: Why are the older diesels slow and gutless? Can any... - 12/19/2006 12:52:11 AM
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ostryjak
Posts: 2
Joined: 6/9/2005
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I have a 1984 Turbo Diesel 300D and it was really slow off the mark until the turbo kicked in at 2K revs. I installed propane injection that switches on when the throttle is almost wide open and when I need some get up and go - it GETS up and goes. Really. Cost was $150. Works a treat. A regular 5 gal BBQ propane bottle lasts me about a month - cost $11+ extra a month for some decent pep. For a while I had the switch that opened the propane up on a manual switch and it was surprisingly useful in any gear range to give a boost to performance. If you are interested I can post some photos but its dark right now and I am not about to go out and take photos for this post :-)
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