[Yuros]

I removed the ALDA unit on my 300TD a few weeks ago as it was not working properly and caused lethargic acceleration. Removing the ALDA made all the difference and I noticed drastic improvement in performance.

However, I have now developed an oil leak from the opening where the ALDA unit was mounted.

The instructions for ALDA removal on this and other forums are quite straight forward; Remove ALDA, drive.
Is mounting port self-sealed or should I have capped it in some way? Is oil coming out of that opening normal, or indication of some other problem?

My mechanic tells me that if ALDA is working properly the car would actually accelerate better than with ALDA removed and recommends that I repair the ALDA and install it back. Is he correct in saying that?

I guess at this point I have two options; plug the port and stop the oil, or repair and re-install the ALDA.

 

[sbaert]

Repair/adjust/replace ALDA and check associated vacuum lines and clean boost line bolt/switchover valve. Get ALDA adjustment shims from the dealer.

PeachPartsWiki: OM603 ALDA Removal/Adjustment Instructions

P.S. You have a cracked throttle linkage end cup (attached to your injection pump)

 

[tjts1]

My mechanic tells me that if ALDA is working properly the car would actually accelerate better than with ALDA removed and recommends that I repair the ALDA and install it back. Is he correct in saying that?

No, your mechanic is completely wrong. The ALDA can only take away fuel, aka reduce smoke and power. Its only there to keep people that treat the throttle pedal as an ON/OFF switch from leaving a giant smoke cloud behind them every time they accelerate. if you have any dexterity in your right foot you don't need the ALDA. There was a guy on peach parts selling milled aluminum plugs for the ALDA port but I think he ran out. I used a plastic cap to keep dirt out and thats it. I didn't have an oil leak issue.

 

[Clarkz71]

P.S. You have a cracked throttle linkage end cup (attached to your injection pump)

Good eco-eye Steve._:thumbsup:

 

[Yuros]

Good eco-eye Steve._:thumbsup:

Indeed, good eye! But this is not my picture, I just grabbed this image off Google to show the part that I'm describing

The improvement in performance and shifting was so significant with ALDA removed that I'm very reluctant to put it back on. From everything I've read it seems that ALDA is an inhibiting device and there is no reason for the car to run better with it than without. So my mechanic could be wrong on this.

So this oil leak could be due to broken oil seal on the IP/ALDA coupling, or for some reason the plunger that ALDA pushes on is not relaxing and oil seeps out. If I go Alda-Less I just need to plug that opening and contain the leak.
I've read that if I turn the adjusting screw on the ALDA unit all the way in, it would create the same effect as having no ALDA, effectively making my old ALDA nothing more than a cap for the opening. Would that be correct?

 

[Zeitgeist]

The ALDA is a simple rack limiting device that should work just fine when installed to allow the same under boost performance as if it were removed. You just need to dial it in by adding shims below the device or pop the top and adjust the screw, or a combination of both. I don't like the idea of leaving a port on the top of the pump open to the atmosphere.