High Miles W203 - C200 Kompressor - Need Help...

[MarkGodden]

Hi Everyone.

This is my first post here so may I begin with a thank you to everyone who contributes for the benefit of people like me who have everything to learn.

I have a high mileage, W203 C200 Kompressor Saloon. It's on a 51 plate and I bought it used from Mercedes Exeter about three and a half years ago. I can't remember what exactly was on the clock when I bought the car, but I've put a lot of miles on it looking for a house in France and travelling back and forth between Holland and home in the South of France. It has 320K Kms on the clock now, just over 200K Miles.

The car runs like a dream. Everything works. I've no intention of moving it on but it is complaining about something I need some help with. It's a noise.

When the car is started from cold, there is a clattering rattle from under the car toward the back I think. Blipping the throttle makes it go away as the revs rise but it comes back as it nears idle. On the move there is not a hint of the noise and when the car is hot it's considerably lessened or eliminated.

I'd like to get it fixed and do it myself to contain the expense. I'm very lucky in having a really nice garage at home with an inspection pit and I'd like to think I'm OK with tools. I have a good socket set, inspection lights, no diagnostic kit though.

Anyone have an idea what this may be? I do have the orange inspection light on and it's been on for a while. Could this be the cat dying?

While we're looking exhaust-wise, there's a tiny hole in the pipe up toward the front of the car - I saw it when I was doing an oil change. This hole is so perfectly round I can't believe it's a perforation. It's about 1.5mm or so in diameter. Should I plug it up?

Given the miles this car has covered and the fact I'd like to keep it, what's the regime with things like cam chain, valve clearances and so on. It's obviously out of dealer care now but what should I be doing to ensure I get another 100K out of this great car?

Thank you for bearing with this long post. Any help appreciated. Catch up with my further woes over in the suspension section!

 

[television]

Hello and welcome,,the fault would appear to be a faulty loose CAT,, there is nothing else towards the rear of the car that can do this at idle

 

[rpe2]

As above, may just be a loose heat shield which can be remedied by simply removing.

Welcome to the forum.

 

[television]

As above, may just be a loose heat shield which can be remedied by simply removing.

Welcome to the forum.

Good point Richard and easily checked from under the car

 

[MarkGodden]

Decoke...

At that milage I would say a decoke in on the horizon

I know nothing about cat-converters - when you say a decoke may be needed, do you mean of the cat itself or the whole thing from combustion chambers to tail pipe?

Is it a decoke in a bottle I should be considering or am I into taking major chunks of the car apart?

Thank you for the help you've given.

 

[rpe2]

At this stage, start with a strong dose of injector cleaner and an Italian tune-up.

Alternatively if the car is running fine, then best to leave alone..