new toy not as quiet as it was.

[paulthecabbie]

Hi all,
bought myself a new workhorse last week (a 97 w210 e3oo td estate) what a great car all the things ive come to expect from MB. But unfortunately a few days ago the cat decided to give up the ghost, since then i have noticed that under load the engine seems 'cammy', is this a product of the cat being killed or something completely coincidental.
P.S anybody know where i can get a reasonably priced cat, as the warranty the garage gave me isn't worth a toss.

Cheers.
Paul

 

[bolide]

The rule of thumb seems to be to buy a pattern part if you're selling the car and an MB part if you're keeping it. That's based on the relative longevity of pattern parts vs MB

You could, of course, just bounce the car back to the supplying dealer and ask for a refund

Nick Froome
www.w124.co.uk

 

[Dieselman]

How did the cat die, blocked or holed?

You don't need a cat on a diesel so just run without.

I don't think there are any pattern front sections for your car because it's different to the LHD version so comparitevely rare.

 

[paulthecabbie]

its not really dead, and i guess it's sort of still doing it's job as it passed it's mot just over a week ago, it's just rattling like mad, sounds like the honeycomb has come away from the cannister.
you say i can run without it, how do i get whats left out of the cannister?

cheers. Paul

 

[Dieselman]

The cat has no bearing on the MOT test. It isn't required.

To empty the can remove the exhaust front pipe and smash up the monolith and empty it out. Hey presto no rattle and more power.
The down side is a diesely smell from the tailpipe instead of a clean smell.

 

[paulthecabbie]

all done, no more rattle but as dieselman said, it does smell a bit, but i can live with that until after Christmas.
Right next problem. It still seems clattery under load and if you bring the revs just above idle (then disapears) is this normal? is there a magic potion i can add to oil to get rid of it?
Thanks. Paul

 

[Benzowner]

When did they put cats on E300TD's. I have a 1997 W210 E300 TD and it has no cat, as far as I am aware. The noise you could be getting, maybe the result of a damaged stearing column gaiter, which allows a little more noise in from the engine bay.

 

[DrNick]

A good thought. My one had a column gaiter that had split and noise would come into the cabin (sounded like it was coming throught the air vents), but only when going round right handed bends, and under acceleration!

Stuffed an old sock in it and all was OK

 

[paulthecabbie]

That would explain a lot, i thought someone hadn't put the dash back properly after doing some sort of work behind it. it does sound as if it is coming from the drivers vent, i will check it out tomorrow.
as for when they put cats on i've got no idea but on mine it is a large cylindrical thing below the turbo, right next to the steering column.

 

[Dieselman]

When did they put cats on E300TD's. I have a 1997 W210 E300 TD and it has no cat, as far as I am aware. The noise you could be getting, maybe the result of a damaged stearing column gaiter, which allows a little more noise in from the engine bay.

All 300TD have a cat fitted.

 

[paulthecabbie]

not mine (now)

 

[Dieselman]

Have you noticed any increase in performance or fuel economy?

 

[paulthecabbie]

A noticeable increase in performance, not sure on economy yet didn't work last night. but will let you know tomorrow.

 

[Dieselman]

all done, no more rattle but as dieselman said, it does smell a bit, but i can live with that until after Christmas.
Right next problem. It still seems clattery under load and if you bring the revs just above idle (then disapears) is this normal? is there a magic potion i can add to oil to get rid of it?
Thanks. Paul

Millers diesl power plus would work but I think that the biodiesel will do it as it has a higher cetane value due to being a naturally oxygenated fuel, thus gives a more complete burn.
It sounds like you may have an injector squirting a bit squiffey, if so the bio diesel will clean it.

 

[pineer35]

since i started taking the dog out in the car,i have had no problems with the cat,

 

[paulthecabbie]

normally 3 kids and the wife cover up any noises the car makes

 

[230K]

Have you noticed any increase in performance or fuel economy?

Hi Dieselman

I gutted my cat by cutting a door in the side of it and smashing it up. performance was unchanged, economy might even have suffered a slight bit. I thought mine was rattling but it was actually the clip that allows a certain amount of movement just before it that was rattling. My exhaust is more tinny as a result. Also wondered if i would have been better removing the can the CAT was in altogether because gases now expand into the can and then turn abruptly through 90 deg and the pipe into the can at the bottom isnt "flowed" very well if you know what i mean. Expansion boxes seem to make big differences to 2 strokes wondered if they would have the opposite effect on a forced induction diesel???
Definitely more tinny and raspy economy maybe slighty worse. My CAT was perfect with 225K or so when it was gutted.

230K