CLK 230Kompressor - Exhaust Blowing

[Rose Chap]

Morning chums,

It started off sounding throaty, then it sounded loud, now it just sounds wrong, and I'm forced to concede that I may actually have a problem somewhere in the exhaust system of my hard working CLK 230.

So, my question is, has anyone else had an exhaust component go on their 230K engine, and if so where? I've got a feeling mine is more likely to be a hole in the manifold than the exhaust based on what it sounds like.

Also, has anyone replaced the exhaust on their 230K engine with anything other than a genuine MB part? I was thinking more performance oriented Brabus rather than Kwik Fit.

Also, last question. How much of a spanking should I prepare my over utilised wallet for?

Cheers

 

[GregE240]

Different car I know RC, but late last year a new exhaust (cat back) for my 210 was just over £600, that was OEM, but supplied and fitted by a local exhaust place (NOT Kwik Fit).

HTH,
Greg

 

[Shude]

Manifold cracked on mine at about 100k miles. I was told by the service man that it's "not uncommon" on the 230k engines because of the high temps involved. Be thankful you have a full-sized car, apparently on the SLK it is a lot more work!

The noise was quite nice and throaty at first, then got louder and more "boomy". The car suffered power loss and poor MPG.

New manifold was about £250, fitting was 2 hours (book time, apparently it often takes longer) so budget for £500. Had to take it back the following week for some additional (free) work on the exhaust to replace some clamps that had basically welded themselves to the old manifold.

Noise and performance were much-improved following the work

 

[Rose Chap]

Thanks guys!

Shude that sounds about right for mine as last week I passed the magic 100,000 mark, and I'm never one to dilly dally when I'm driving so I imagine I'm putting some decent heat through the manifold.

Was that £500 figure to fix at a main dealer or an indy? £500 is okay, I was thinking worst case it could run into some sort of four figure nightmare!

 

[Shude]

Was that £500 figure to fix at a main dealer or an indy? £500 is okay, I was thinking worst case it could run into some sort of four figure nightmare!

The prices I quote are nearly always main dealer

I think the complete job was just short of £500 and I had it done almost immediately after a service and got no courtesy car. I probably have a receipt for the work somewhere, although it was over 4 years ago!

 

[Glenn Smith]

check the bolts holding manifold to cat, on mine they corrroded through, i think the manifold is stainless steel so a repair would be a practical alternative to replacement, thats what i'd do if mine cracked.

 

[GarethM]

I agree with Glenn check, the bolts holding the manifold to the mid pipe ( dual cat box ). Mine had rusted right through on one side and hence leave a blowing gap.
The exhausts are stainless so they shouldnt go very often.

G

 

[Rose Chap]

Finally got round to getting this fixed. Turns out it was indeed a cracked manifold, which means I had much the same issue as Shude.

£445 + VAT (including fitting) from Tony Purslow Basingstoke, with 10% parts and 40% labour discount applied.

 

[Shude]

Finally got round to getting this fixed. Turns out it was indeed a cracked manifold, which means I had much the same issue as Shude.

£445 + VAT (including fitting) from Tony Purslow Basingstoke, with 10% parts and 40% labour discount applied.

I'm sorry it was the manifold.

At least your car should go a bit quicker, last longer on a tank and also not turn heads (well, let's say "less heads" for the wrong reasons) than before!