Catalytic Converter Problem Now...

[Hanz]

Can't please everyone it seems I'm undecided.

 

[rajinder_1]

LOL

How about helping with her problem rather than fussing over her pic guys.....

LOL

 

[Hanz]

We seem to of gone slightly off topic....

Would a leak be more expensive to repair than replacing a cat?

I can see it being in the garage for weeks again now.

 

[OmniCognateNeutronRangler]

I think the long and the short of it (pictures aside) is that you need to get the problem properly diagnosed. It's all a bit guess-work at the moment. Take it to a garage who can tell you what is actually wrong and then worry about the best way to fix it.

Anyone recommend an Indie in Somerset?

btw, threads often go "off topic", life's more fun that way (as long as the question gets answered in the end).

 

[rajinder_1]

I think it depends, where and what is leaking. What needs to be done as said in the previuos thread is to get it properly diagnosed.
Use a mechanic that wont spend weeks on it (if you can find one) and try to use some one who has a diagnostics computer (STAR) so they can see what has happened to it or some indication to the problem.
DONT just go on what AA said.... my SL was towed home and the AA said hmmmmm looks like a starter motor failure and that the solenoid was bad etc etc etc after 2 months in the garage was a loose connection to the gearbox ecu.... causing the car not to start!

Have a look here for indi's in your area

http://www.mbclub.co.uk/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=13

 

[stumpy]

Have you checked for leaks though. Mine recently spat some gearbox oil onto the exhaust on a really hot day recently.

 

[Blobcat]

Keeping on topic...

You were in Wales so you very well could have a leek

 

[OmniCognateNeutronRangler]

oh good grief.......:wink:

 

[Hanz]

lol.

The car has been parked up a few days, and there is no marks, or signs of any fresh fluid from under the car...

The AA have made me scared to drive it too far as they told me petrol was heating up and the car could of caught fire with me inside!

 

[big x]

lol.

The car has been parked up a few days, and there is no marks, or signs of any fresh fluid from under the car...

The AA have made me scared to drive it too far as they told me petrol was heating up and the car could of caught fire with me inside!

Start the car and see if there are any leaks from the fuel lines underneath.They can rust. No danger of fire until the car is hot.
Check for any stains on the outside of the cat.It's the first exhaust box level with the front doors.Sometimes an oil leak from the rear of the cylinder head can blow back at speed and starts smoking when it hits the cat.
There is no danger from oil leaks it will not combust.
Failing that I live near Yeovil and will look at the car if you want a second opinion before you drive it !

adam

 

[Hanz]

Thanks so much for the replies!

Right, I've just had another look under the car - Started it up, can't see anything leaking from the car. Not sure if this is normal, but the underneath of the car is completly covered in grease. Bottom of engine bay is completely thick with black grease, tell me if this is normal because I don't pay much attention.

The exhaust is looking quite red and like red raindrops along pipes. Normal?

There is a ovalish box at rear of car (near rear passenger doors) underneath (part of exhaust I assume) which is covered in black gunk, and has a kind of wet look over half of it.

At rear of car near exhaust there is lots of little specks of oil on the gravel, I think this must of been after I started her up.

Is this normal?

 

[stumpy]

All sounds ok but it does seem as though you've had some oil blowing back onto the exhaust. It doesn't take a lot of oil to make a lot of smoke. Have you checked the levels in the sump and gearbox? If the gearbox oil was low that could also explain the strange driving characteristics. If these gearboxes are overfilled, they spit the oil out onto the exhaust.

 

[Hanz]

Ok, well this might sound silly but how would I check the gearbox oil? Or is it the same as the oil level?

It only had a service about a month ago

 

[stumpy]

At the back of the engine to the left as you look at it, you will see a Dipstick with a black cap on it with some text about only being opened by MB. Pull the little locking lever to release the dipstick. There are 2 marks on the dipstick for high and low temp. Depending on the temperature, the oil level should be between the two marks. It's quite hard to see because of the colour of the oil, but maybe at the service, they overfiled it. You do have to give the car a good drive after topping up the oil and then re-checking it. This makes sure that the oil has got into all the cavities in the gearbox.

 

[Hanz]

I'll check it out tomorrow, lights gone and all now... Thanks

 

[stumpy]

If you have no luck, I'm coming past you on Tues in my E280 and can have a gander for you. I hope it makes it as it was this very journey which nearly killed it a few weeks ago.

 

[big x]

At the back of the engine to the left as you look at it, you will see a Dipstick with a black cap on it with some text about only being opened by MB. Pull the little locking lever to release the dipstick. There are 2 marks on the dipstick for high and low temp. Depending on the temperature, the oil level should be between the two marks. It's quite hard to see because of the colour of the oil, but maybe at the service, they overfiled it. You do have to give the car a good drive after topping up the oil and then re-checking it. This makes sure that the oil has got into all the cavities in the gearbox.

The engine needs to be running when using the dipstick.

adam

 

[Hanz]

Thanks! I'll give you an update tomorrow!

 

[stumpy]

Yep, and make sure the engine is nice and warm, using all the gears.