dealhunter03

Need to replace catalytic converter for CLK320 2001 in California
I need to replace catalytic converters on my 2001 CLK320 (over 90K miles). It is not clear but it is possible that I may have to replace both cats. I have asked around and it seems the parts alone would cost over 1500 and I wouldn't save much if I went to a repair shop other than the dealer.

I searched on the internet but cannot find any cats that are legal in California. I am hesitant to spend so much money to fix this problem. Has anyone run into this problem before and have any recommendations for cheaper solutions? Any tips for cheaper solutions (parts and/or services) will be highly appreciated.

thanks

MarcusF

Your car has four cats, a pair of primaries and secondaries. Miller makes CARB legal cats for your car. The EO number is D-353-61, the part numbers you need are 12212 and 11212, and their Hayward number is 800.826.6615. Car Sound (Magnaflow) and AirTek also have valid CARB numbers for your car.

dealhunter03

thanks for the info.. I will check with them. Do you have any other info about these parts in terms of their performance and price?

I would also like any recommendations for a good (and cheap) mechanic in the SF Bay Area.

thanks so much.

big_mike1979

got a question for u.. im getting the 2 high flow cat by magnaflow... im lil confused. u said we have four right?? i only need to change the secondaires one and that wont trigger the sensor right?

saboli

Secondary cats dont trigger the sensor. So you are ok. Btw your car will sound really good.

rediahad

if you need to get a smog check done i know a guy that will pass your car here in sac for 300

MarcusF

Well . . . . . . . like many things in life, there's good news, there's bad news, and with enough information, you can tell whether the news applies. Some people claim Miller cats are junk because they're ceramic and don’t flow 500+ CFM like metal substrate cats. Some people claim Carsound (Magnaflow) ceramic cats are slightly better junk, but they don't flow 500+ CFM either. So the good news is - there are 500+ CFM cats available. The bad news is - they aren't ceramic.

Here's some information: The CLK320 has a 195.2" cubic inch engine. Using 100% volumetric efficiency, at 6000 RPM, a 195.2 cubic inch engine could theoretically flow 389 CFM (rounded up). However, that’s "theory". In practice, CLK320 engines can't achieve 100% VE at 6K RPM, but we'll use that number. The CLK320 exhaust path causes the cats to only see half of the exhaust flow, so the cat has to be able to flow 195 CFM. Magnaflow 2.5" inlet ceramic cats have been flow tested at 372+ CFM. Each. About 190% of what's needed.

Prices will vary by retailer, but they're pretty inexpensive.

dealhunter03

Marcus,
thanks for the info.

Merc dealer says there are only two cats: left and right. Miller does have cats for the car but it is not clear to me whether they are a regular replacement or require special fitting (welding). I heard that there are issues with the welding ones as the "check engine" light stays on. Can you please clarify?

Does any one have a recommendation for an auto mechanic in the Bay Area or tip on reasonable labor charges to install these cats?

thanks

dlbehrns

Merc dealer says there are only two cats: Really? Whomever you talked to at the dealership doesn't know what he is talking about. I have been under my 320 and I can tell you there are 4 cats total. 2 primary left and right which, I beleive, connect directly to the exhaust manifold,with O2 sensors before and after an the cats can be replaced without welding if you chose the OEM route and, they will throw a error code when they go south. I assume there are aftermarket cats that will fill the primary bill as well but don't have any links for you. the secondaries left and right which are further down the exhaust line near the center of the car will not throw a code and are usually the ones that go first. again, the OEM route "probably" will not need welding(and I could be incorrect) but the aftermarkets "probably will." i have read the metal substrate cats have a higher flow rate and will last longer. if you don't want to weld perhaps you can use http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0006HLFCY. never used them and don't know if they will leak. anybody on the leaking issue care to jump in?

MarcusF

David (dlbehrns) is right. The factory parts bolt on. They look like this:


Aftermarket cats can be slip fit w/clamps or welded.

jreddyroc

lklkl

rediahad

there is a guy in la selling his catrs of his 320 for 100 check it out http://losangeles.craigslist.org/wst...773349738.html

big_brian

What cats have people in canada been using? I live in Calgary and am looking for some inexpensive cats (I hate saying cheap) to replace on my 2000 320 clk. Thanks Brian

mssuzallen

is this guy, or any guy, around that can do this. really in a bind

thanks