190E is my new Cat Converter faulty?

[drainaudio]

HI all,
Just had a new exhaust fitted to my 190E, all genuine Mercedes.
First few days were fine then suddenly exaust sounds awful (tinny rattly sound) in the area of the Cat Converter when first started cold - sounds like a seriously unhealthy exhaust until the engine reaches normal operating temperature when suddenly 90% of this nasty sound goes away. Could the Cat Converter be faulty? I'm also sure I can hear a ceramic clinking type sound when I go over speed bumps quickly (did this just as a test). Engine doesn't seem to be affected by this problem, power is really good and smooth.
Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
Cheers, Geoff.

 

[bazza]

Check the heat shields on the exhaust as these are prone to rusting and coming loose


Bazza

 

[Alro]

Agree with bazza, had the same problem, a tinny vibration until hot. The heat shield tends to corrode where it is attached to the pipes.
I know it's a bit of a botch, but snipped off the loose bits and fitted a couple of jubilee clips around to re-clamp. Has been fine for 2 years so far.

Cheers, Al.

 

[drainaudio]

Hi..
Are the heat shields on the actual exhaust? The entire system is new from end to end so these would also be new wouldn't they?
Thanks, Geoff.

 

[woodturner-fran]

I fitted a new cat (not original) to my e200 a month or so ago and I have exactly the same noise. It has been there since new and has not gotten worse. Mechanic says its definitely coming from the CAT, not any other piece of the system. He thought that the mesh around the CAT ceramic block might be loose, then tightening up when it gets hot.

What do you mean by the heat shield on the exhaust - I didn't notice any of these - only the ones on the body underside. Since mine wasn't original, I said well there you go, you gets whats you pay for. I wondered about welding a reasonably heavy piece of bar along the pipe ahead of the CAT box to see would it take down what to me appears to be vibration.

I will follow this thread with interest

 

[drainaudio]

Hi, I'm still having this problem with my new cat converter and of course when I returned it to George Fraser they couldn't find anything wrong as the engine was at it's usual operating temperature - I can still hear it faintly at this point but I know exactly what to listen for. I drove to the airport very early this morning and when I parked I could really hear the element rattling with the engine running. On the hoist the exhaust all looks solid, but every time the car is started from cold I have a loud vibration/rattle coming from around the trans tunnel in second gear at 1500Rpm - dissapears 85% once the car is warmed up. George Fraser has offered to take the car himself for a few days so he can drive it when cold in the morning, but I will have to wait till I return from the USA in a month. Such an expensive part......it's driving me nuts as the car is otherwise pristine and I find it really enjoyable to drive http://forums.mercedesclub.org.uk/showpost.php?p=67574&postcount=16. Solution right now is just to stick the foot down and avoid this depressing rattle - I'm still surprised that these 2.0 190E's have sometimes been referrred to as sluggish, mine has plenty of get up and go and is fun to drive hard - doesn't die a death like a lot of small japanese cars when you actually have passengers either - love it on the motorway.
Cheers, Geoff.