Sudden loss of power

[ckember]

Today i experienced a very sudden loss of power just as I was pulling onto a dual carriage way, The car wouldn't pull anymore and the top end was about 55 mph.

Pulled over and could hear a woosh of air when the accelerator was pushed and a smell of diesel in the cabin.

I started off again as I had an appointment at the stealers to have the xenons turned on in star after an upgrade.

I asked them about the noise and loss of power, Stating it sounded exhaust like, possible blown box I thought

After 5 minutes they asked me into the service area to look under the car, which was covered in soot.

They explained that the front cat, mounted high up behind the engine had expired causing felt to block the second cat, this was causing the exhaust to escape through the front joint in the down pipe.

This meant the air con was sucking in the fumes that I had smelt. The service manager said the car was not drivable and need a new front and middle section on the exhaust.

The car is 40 months old and done 65Kmiles, when I asked if this was common they said they have had a few CDI's do this. I have a C270 CDI

Fortunately I have the MB service plan which I took out when I purchased the car from MB direct. this will replace the exhaust for free.

Has anyone else had this problem?

 

[Dieselman]

cat's blocking has happened.
Is your car fitted with any tuning device such as a chip as the additional soot will block the cat faster.

 

[ckember]

used to have until last summer, took it off, when I had starting problems

 

[Dieselman]

used to have until last summer, took it off, when I had starting problems

House

As in Bingo....

 

[pdwhiteside]

I have just had a similar experience but not as bad with my 270CDi. All of a sudden it seemed to get very rough especially at low cruising speeds. The engine would splutter, the revs drop, then a cloud of black smoke as it cleared itself. At full revs it was fine and seemed to have full power. When I looked at the back of the car it was covered in soot!!

My car was chipped from new in July 2004, I have just had it reset to normal as I want to get it checked out at the dealer before I get rid of it in a week or so. Resetting it has cured about 80% of the problems but it is still not quite right, so a trip to the MB dealer next week i think.....

I have just chipped my E320 but have a plug in chip now so I can simply remove it if I have a service or any other kind of problem.