On the 1985 300D turbo I recently purchased there is an vacuum line solenoid located on the firewall right behind the brake master cylinder booster. It is on the passenger side of the booster. When I was nosing around under the hood I saw that the electrical connector was disconnected. What is this item?

Just looking at the Hayes Manual it might be the Low Brake Fluid Warning Switch? I'm just guessing here without seeing it?

__________________
2000 Ford 7.3 Powerstroke 4x4
2006 Mazda Tribute
1983 Black 300 D (donated to charity)
1993 Teal 300 D (160K) Sold
"I love the smell of burnt diesel fuel in the morning, it smells like ....VICTORY"

Semper Fidelis
USMC 1973-1976

switches are mounted right into the reservoir. I am in the process of doing a brake job on the car right not and after that I will run it to see if this solenoid being plugged in makes any difference.
I think I am going to post this on the tech forum too.
Jim

Your description of the location makes it sound like it might be the over boost protection solenoid. Is there one line going to the intake manifold and another to the injection pump?

In looking around more under the hood I have found that the line at the intake manifold had a hole in it. I disconnected the line at the manifold and at the aneroid device at the fuel injection pump and blew through the line at the manifold end (all this with the car off). I did not get anything out at the aneroid end. I am thinking that the solenoid is plugged. I will take it out and try to clean it tonight or just bypass it.
thanks,
Jim
'95 E320
'97 CRV
'85 300D

Try bypassing it and going for a test drive to see what you have to look forward to, but do try to clean out or replace the solinoid. you don't want to be without the protection it provides if your wastegate sticks.

Bob D.

I bypassed the solenoid - it was totally plugged. It looks like I will have to replace it. Remember, I just purchased this car for $1500 and the guy that I purchased it from said that the turbo did not work - LOL. I think I am going to go back by and give him a ride in it - there ain't nothing wrong with the turbo!!!
I finished the brakes this evening (new rotors, pads, and master cylinder) and all I have left to do is bleed them and it should be good to go tomorrow.
The next item on the agenda is the flex disk.
The hardest part I have with going through this car is trying to stay calm and pace myself - I tend to want to fix everything right now so I keep reminding myself that I need to take about a year to get it where I want it.
I was talking to a friend of mine at work that said that the big cats that are used at the mill do not even run wastegates.
Jim
'95 E320
'97 CRV
'85 300D - turbo

After the front brake job, be real careful about adjusting the front wheel bearings (particularly gettng them too tight). There is an elaborate dial indicator thing that I haven't grown up to, but I think I had trouble on a 240D recently. I'm not sure if it was old or my fault. But watch the bearings.

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Dan Stadt
'85 300D turbo
'79 300SD
'73 220D

Congratulations on a great buy! It pays to know your car. Your friend is right about some other diesels running no wastegate but if your boost gets too high and the injection pump keeps up you will melt your pistons. you can measure your boost by teeing into the line from the manifold to the alda. The factory spec is about 15psi. If you have good dexterity and some patience you can adjust this up to spec. then you could tweak the alda and your car will come alive. It is my impression that MB detuned most US diesel in an attempt to lower emissions. There is a great article on these adjustments out there, if you haven't already found it yourself let me know and I'll dig it up.

Bob D.

and now I do seem to have some questions on the turbo charger. Seems to spin and pull air in on the "inlet" side but I did not seem to get getting any pressure built up on the intake manifold side. I am going to put another post up and ask questions on it.
The front wheel bearings are Timken P/N M12649 (outer one) and LM48548 (inner one).
Jim