Catalytic Converter Problem Now...

[Hanz]

Right, a few months ago you may remember my problems with my ECU.....

Another nice pricey job... the Catalytic Converter.

I was happily cruising down the M5 yesterday, decided to stop for a coffee (which I never do), pulled up in the car park and my car smelt rather odd. Anyway I got out the car, doing the whole "if I ignore it, it'll go away" but couldn't ignore the fact there was smoke pouring from underneath the car. I had oil and petrol burning at 100 degrees and was recommended to not drive the car any further as it might catch fire... great I got towed home, lol.

Anyway the catalytic converter has gone, so I'm guessing quite pricey? I got a quote from Dronsfield Merc for £200 inc delivery, which I'm guessing is pretty good? But how long would it take to fit in a garage?

The car is a Mercedes Estate E280 L Reg (93) W124 with 191,000 miles on the clock.

Any help would be great!

 

[Balal]

£200 is not bad at all for a catalytic converter. however, if you check it on www.buypartsby.com, they are selling it for £126+VAT. ( the link is http://www.buypartsby.co.uk/cat_display.php?txtmodel=E280&Submit=Next&txtmake=MERCEDES ) . Cant say which catalytic converter would be better (the one from Dronsfield or buypartsby).

Fitting shouldnt take more than one hour. I got my changed 6 months back and it took less then hour.

 

[Blobcat]

If Dronsfields are supplying a genuine MB Cat then IMHO that is the way to go.

 

[Hanz]

Thanks for your replies.

Dronsfield are Mercedes breakers so sell 2nd hand Mercedes parts. My ECU *touchwood* has lasted I brought from there.

The AA quoted me £800 approx for a cat so happy the part hasn't costed that.

Hopefully the garage won't take too long about it...

 

[Parrot of Doom]

1993 - do you need a cat for that age? I can't remember if its 1993 or 1994 when the regulations were introduced.

 

[Blobcat]

1992 according to the MOT :sad:
The Department of Transport decided that from 1st of January 1996 petrol engined vehicles equipped with catalytic converters and registered after 1 August 1992 must be tested in the M.O.T scheme in-line with European Union requirements for CO and HC emissions. The limits of the test for each model have been determined by car manufacturers .
Although if your car will pass the emissions test without having a catalytic converter fitted you do not need one.

 

[big x]

Right, a few months ago you may remember my problems with my ECU.....

Another nice pricey job... the Catalytic Converter.

I was happily cruising down the M5 yesterday, decided to stop for a coffee (which I never do), pulled up in the car park and my car smelt rather odd. Anyway I got out the car, doing the whole "if I ignore it, it'll go away" but couldn't ignore the fact there was smoke pouring from underneath the car. I had oil and petrol burning at 100 degrees and was recommended to not drive the car any further as it might catch fire... great I got towed home, lol.

Anyway the catalytic converter has gone, so I'm guessing quite pricey? I got a quote from Dronsfield Merc for £200 inc delivery, which I'm guessing is pretty good? But how long would it take to fit in a garage?

The car is a Mercedes Estate E280 L Reg (93) W124 with 191,000 miles on the clock.

Any help would be great!

Petrol and oil burning ? Are you sure you've not got a leak onto the outside of hot cat ?
A cat breaks up internally and makes a rattling sound when it's KO.

adam

 

[Hanz]

Thanks again for your replies. At first the AA bloke said it was the oil and petrol burning, and said I had a leak, then he told me it was the cat that would need replacing, I need to get the car to the garage to discuss what to do with it. Knowing my luck it needs a converter on it, so I'm not sure if I can get away with it.

It smells like petrol and oil burning together and very hot, lot's of smoke coming from the exhaust system underneath in the middle of car. It's drinking a lot of fuel, I think it's lost a bit of power, not much though. I was only going on what the AA had told me as I have no clue myself.

 

[Hanz]

I'm not sure! I'm only going on what the AA man had told me. He mentioned that the oil and petrol gather somewhere and heat up at extreme temp. Should the car smell "eggy" if the cat has gone, or is that something completly diff?

What are the main symptoms if the cat has gone? (which is what the AA told me when they came to a decision of what was wrong with the car)

 

[Blobcat]

Cat failed/blocked = inability to rev and very little power

 

[Hanz]

Hmm. Doesn't sound likely then, I mean I was still going at good speed before I decided to turn off for services. Revving has been a bit funny, but nothing serious...

Sounds more like a leak then?

 

[rajinder_1]

To be honest with you if it is your cat, (and make sure it is before you buy) then i would only but original.
Unless you a prepared for additional noise and maybe more fuel consumption. It always looks better in the short term to replace with aftermarket cats but i have had no end of trouble with aftermarket cats with rattles and noise....
Or i would find the same make and replace with that, not sure on your year car but i think it is Ebaspacher

 

[Hanz]

Thanks for the advice.

I guess it's going to have to go to the garage again, only had it back for a few weeks it feels like.

 

[OmniCognateNeutronRangler]

From experience I would say the AA know as much about the mechanical aspects of cars as I do, which frankly isn't much. I get others to do the fixing. However I have experienced some very bad and very inacurate diagnosis from the AA.

btw Hanz, how come your picture has changed since this morning?

 

[Hanz]

Actually just remembered when the car was diagnosed with just a temperture sensor wrong with it by AA, turns out it was the ECU.

I changed the picture again, I got bored with the other one and just fancied a bit of a change.

 

[Blobcat]

Prefer the last picrure, this one is IMHO to cropped

 

[Hanz]

I quite liked it greyscale, but I guess colour stood out a bit more.

 

[Blobcat]

too much light flare now

 

[Hanz]

No pleasing you blob. I'll go back to the original then....

 

[OmniCognateNeutronRangler]

all looked good to me....