w124 92 without cat?

[mekon]

Hey everyone,

Am looking into purchasing a '92 230TE, it has a catalytic converter fitted, i was wondering, because it wasn't mandatory to have one until '93 can the car be modified to run without it?

 

[nick mercedes]

Hey everyone,

Am looking into purchasing a '92 230TE, it has a catalytic converter fitted, i was wondering, because it wasn't mandatory to have one until '93 can the car be modified to run without it?

You can take them off and alter the trim plug to suit.

 

[mekon]

is it difficult to alter the trim plug? does it affect anything on MOT or what not?

 

[nick mercedes]

is it difficult to alter the trim plug? does it affect anything on MOT or what not?

Is your cat worn out?

 

[mekon]

no, our current car is an 88 200T but we are looking at getting a 92 car which has a cat, when it does wear out cos we don't like them we don't want to replace it basically

 

[nick mercedes]

no, our current car is an 88 200T but we are looking at getting a 92 car which has a cat, when it does wear out cos we don't like them we don't want to replace it basically

The 124 ones seem to last ages anyway, but putting normal frontpipes on is a cheaper option.

 

[mekon]

regarding the MOT etc, am i right in thinking that cos it wasn't mandatory to have them in 92 it would just be treated as tho it didn't have one in the first place with regards to emissions?

 

[nick mercedes]

regarding the MOT etc, am i right in thinking that cos it wasn't mandatory to have them in 92 it would just be treated as tho it didn't have one in the first place with regards to emissions?

I don't know.

Anyone?

 

[Shude]

There are a lot of posts about this but the basic answer is that you can sometimes pass the MOT if the emissions are correct regardless of whether there is a cat present or not. If a visual inspection of the car is carried out and the tester can't find a cat then you may be failed, even if the car passes the emissions check.

A solution to this is to keep the shell of the catalytic converter but have a normal pipe going straight through it. Your car will pass the visual inspection but it will still have to pass the actual emissions check.

 

[IanA2]

As far as I am aware a car of that vintage would not require a cat and in any case I don't think they are a legal requirement, the ability to pass the emissions test however is. I took the cats off my '92 500SL. It has sailed through all MOT's since.

hth

 

[Number_Cruncher]

From,

http://www.motuk.co.uk/manual_730.htm

----------8<--------
The catalyst test is part of the MOT test for most class IV spark ignition petrol engined passenger cars with four or more wheels first used on and after 1 August 1992.

----------8<--------


This means that if the car (or engine) is earlier than this, it does not need to meet the more stringent emission requirements of the catalyst test.

As far as removing catalysts, the MOT isn't a test of originality - beyond the requirement for vehicles newer than certain cut-offs to be fitted with certain mandatory equipment (e.g. front seat belts in post 1965 cars), there's nothing in there to prevent modification - providing that the modification doesn't in itself breach any MOT rules.

In short, if either car or engine is pre August 1992, there'll be no MOT problem in removing the cat.

 

[mekon]

got the car!

Got the car, it was first registered on 13th march 92 and whilst going through the seemingly never ending amounts of receipts etc found that in 07 it went through its MOT emissions test as a NON catalytic vehicle, seems the previous owner may have already beaten me to the punch at removing it! LOL

 

[Number_Cruncher]

>>was first registered on 13th march 92

>>went through its MOT emissions test as a NON catalytic vehicle

That's entirely consistent, but it tells you nothing about the presence or absence of a catalytic convertor on the vehicle.

You could fit a cataltic convertor and closed loop fuelling system to any pre Aug 1992 car/engine, and it would still be tested as NON catalytic, it's the registration date that's important, not the fitment or not of the cat.

 

[mekon]

ah right ok, weird system.... would of expected them to test on the basis of its presence or not... oh well

 

[Number_Cruncher]

>>ah right ok, weird system....

Yes, there are some oddities which more nearly conform to your expectations.

For example, vehicles registered before 1936 do not need indicators or hazard warning lights to be fitted BUT, if they are fitted, they must work!

So, if your 1935 jalopy fails because the indicators don't work, take them off and bin them, and you'll get an MOT pass!