SL500 R129 rattling when cold.....

[NMSL500]

Just a quickie for you 500 guys...

My 96 SL500 rattles like a good un when first started from cold.
The rattle is not coming from the engine but seems to be from the Gearbox / Exhaust area.
Have been told that it might be the cats
Anyone come accross this before, any ideas?
Thanks in advance.
Nigel

 

[KLP 92]

It most probably is the cat.

To be on the safe side, have the car put on a ramp and have all the brackets, heatshield checked on the exhaust. Look for anything loose on the undersie that could cause it.

 

[grober]

Cat Death Rattle??

This known in the trade as " The SL DEATH RATTLE" --It occurs just before your car falls completely to bits as depicted in a Stan Laurel and Oliver Hardy film.
Seriously----- as KLP says it could be the down pipes/catalytic converter heat shielding---quite common --trivial but annoying ---can be sometimes cured for a time by clamping with jubilee clips or tack welding OR it can mean the catalytic converter internals are beginning to break up which is expensive. Shouldn't be ignored too long since there are tales of partial exhaust blocking and back pressure problems as the internals break up further. Have a search for further info on the forum about the merits of replacement cats e.g. http://mbclub.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=28837&highlight=cat+rattle

 

[NMSL500]

Thanks guys.
Will get it airborne over the weekend and take a look at everything

 

[rajinder_1]

Let me know what it is as i have the same with SL320 V6, but mine dont sound llike the cats....