LauraS

I am in big trouble trying to locate a centre muffler for my 1990 190E 2.6. I knew the muffler was nearing it's end of life and preempitively bought an Ansa made rear one. When I took it to a local muffler shop I was told the center muffler was rotten. I guess the limited winter driving finished it. I cannot for a source other than Adsit who want about $1000 Canadian for one! Every other place I look they are out of stock. I would even put a used ne on if I could find one from a recycle yard if I knew where to find one. I would even delete it if there was a way of doing that. Any ideas or assistance greatfully received.

dolucasi

Yikes! Yes they are hard to find now. These guys probably will not ship to Canada.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/35463802201...iABEgLOovD_BwE

You can delete it but I suspect the exhaust will get noisier. Also a delete probably means they will weld everything together and delete the flanges etc too.

Are you sure you need one? I patched mine up for years even though it developed a hole. When I fortunately landed on the last dealer one available I just chucked the patched one. It was an aftermarket BOSAL.

I think they can still be sourced in US, not sure about Canada.

LauraS

Dolucasi, Thank you for the assistance and link. I have found these in a couple of sites but like this one they are specific for 1989? Are there differences bewteen 1989 and 1990? They look identical but when I type n 1990 on this link the answer is it is not the correct one. I can get my son in law to fetch it from the border but I am afraid to order unless I know it is going to fit. I will see if it can be patched but the man at the muffler shop said it couldn't be fixed but I wasn't allowed in the shop to see for myself. I guess old ladies no nothing about cars!

dolucasi

They can learn a thing or two from you Laura. Little do they know...

The 1989 and 1990 2.6L exhaust differs for the manifold to CAT to the resonator as 1989 has the pre-cats and the 1990 I believe has the smog pump instead.
As far as I know the resonator and muffler sections are the same but this can be checked thru the EPC.

I suspect the exhaust people maybe mistaken because of this fact.

Another way is you can send me your VIN number and I can check the part numbers at the MB dealership, your '90 against my '89. That way you know for sure.
The resonator/muffler is NLA but they have the part numbers of NLA parts.

Let me know

190Efan

Ouch on the Adsit price! I'm also not so sure that a junk yard would be a good solution because junked cars typically have high mileages making the condition of a muffler pretty suspect at best. I think deleting the muffler is more trouble than it's really worth. Unfortunately, owning a Mercedes-Benz is not for the financially faint of heart. It would take too long for me to explain how I know this from personal experience. Talk about being between a rock and a hard place. Maybe it would be worth it to send an email to the MB Classic Center to see what they would advise in this situation?

LauraS

Dolucasi, I will send the V.I.N. via P.M. I appreciate your help. I don't understand what you meant by EPC? I would like to replace the resonator rather than try to patch it up but may have to try in the interim. Thanks for your help as always appreciated.

LauraS

Owning a Mercedes is an expensive proposition for sure but worth it in driving enjoyment as you would probably agree. I would like to maintain the 190E as originally designed so will persevere until I find an answer. Thanks.

dolucasi

EPC is electronics parts catalog. Bootleg copies are available online but I just go to my reliable dealer parts people. I'll wait for the VIN number.

dolucasi

This site claims they are the same part number:

https://www.buymercedespartsnow.com/...ust-components

and

https://www.buymercedespartsnow.com/...ust-components

If we believe it.

Do your exhaust pipes bulge out after the manifold which means it has the pre-cats?

LauraS

No bulge and the car has an air pump.

dolucasi

What I thought. Not sure if that parts site is reliable as they list the same cat number for '89 and '90 and we know they are not.
It could be superseded with a no pre-cat by the dealership at some point but who knows. Stand-by till you get you the final answer but you may want to check if that ebay seller will ship the Ansa resonator to Canada and for how much. Not sure if you have another source you can look into. I'm 99% sure it is the same part for '89 and '90.

dolucasi

I did a little research for you Laura. The Ansa resonators and silencers are available in canada thru Autozone or O'reily Auto parts.
Indeed they list
1989 - ANSA ME6705 $194 US
1990 - ANSA ME6745 $259 US.

Different part numbers though the pictures look the same.

BTW, I think you replaced your muffler with an ANSA part recently did you not? Both '89 and '90 call for the same ANSA muffler part: ME7653.
So the only thing I can think of is that the CAT side with flanges are a little different (perhaps your '90 CAT is a little different compared to the '89 CAT)

- Cheers

LauraS

[QUOTE=dolucasi;8955275]I did a little research for you Laura. The Ansa resonators and silencers are available in canada thru Autozone or O'reily Auto parts.
Indeed they list
1989 - ANSA ME6705 $194 US
1990 - ANSA ME6745 $259 US.

Different part numbers though the pictures look the same.

BTW, I think you replaced your muffler with an ANSA part recently did you not? Both '89 and '90 call for the same ANSA muffler part: ME7653.
So the only thing I can think of is that the CAT side with flanges are a little different (perhaps your '90 CAT is a little different compared to the '89 CAT)

- Cheers[/QUOTE

Dolucasi! You remembered that the muffler is an Ansa? I had yo dig through receipts to recall that! I will wait until you confirm that the part is correct when you talk with the Mercedes dealer. The nearest one to me is about 400 miles away and I have never been there. If the 1989 is compatable I will order one anad my son-in law with fetch it in Minnesota. MY passport expired this November so I wouldn't be able to go to the US anyway.

BetterDaze

Not much to add but enjoy reading as you guys dig for info.

my exhaust rotted out pretty early in my ownership and I just deleted the center muffler(resonator)and put a magnaflow muffler.

It is loud but not terribly….some people think I installed headers or something. I love it though!!…my family not so much

LauraS

I have thought of doing what you did also. My grandson would really like it! The shop said it couldn't be done (or maybe he just doesn't want to bother?) so I guess I will try for a stock setup. O'Reilly's and AutoZone, neither of which are operating in Canada to my knowledge show the part online but also show none in stock? If the '89 version is proven to be the same I will bite the proverbial bullet and buy it.

dolucasi

[QUOTE=LauraS;8955430]Mind like a steel trap I tell you. Not really, my wife will tell you I'm closer to the absent minded professor than anything else.
Do you have the ANSA part number in those receipts? I wonder if it matches the part number now listed at Autozone I mentioned.

I will stop by the dealer tomorrow and let you know what they say.

Stay tuned....

LauraS

The muffler is a ME6707 in the receipt which is the same as the AutoZone etc. number if that is a help.

YYC53

There are a lot of parts under closeout for the 190E on rockauto. Not sure how many, at least a few are the OEM manuf and part.

LauraS

yyc53, Thank you. I am aware of RockAuto and have purchased parts from them. The centre muffler which is the one I am seeking is not a part listed. Thanks for the information.

dolucasi

Oddly, Autozone lists 2 part numbers as mufflers that fit for 1989 and 1990. ME6707 and ME7653. So adds to further confusion.
ME6707 picture looks closer than the ME7653. I believe Starla was purchased by Ansa so maybe they now sell both part numbers. ME6707 looks like a Starla part.

I'll let you know what Mercedes says about the part numbers.

YYC53

Are you looking for a muffler or a catalytic converter?

190Efan

The one big thing that I learned during my car's rubber refurbishment a couple of years ago is that the MB dealerships do NOT have the same access to parts for older MB models like ours like the MB Classic Center has. It's really important to check with the MB Classic Center on parts as they have a better parts inventory for the older MBs than the MB dealerships have. It's car owners that have to request the parts from the MB Classic Center as the MB dealerships aren't able to do so. I would urge checking with the MB Classic Center before going elsewhere for parts.

dolucasi

I verified with the Dealership that the '90 and '89 part numbers are the same for the center resonator and the muffler for '89 and '90.
Furthermore Mercedes also unified the cat convertor part at some point for all years from 88-93 for the 2.6L.

All the exhaust part numbers changed over the years 3 times, not sure what was changed but I doubt anything changed physical dimensions wise.

I should also point out that when you replace the center muffler/resonator you are supposed to put in a new set of those sealing discs which appear to be a one time application. Because they sort of melt to shape/seal.
I believe Mercedes still sells them but they are probably also available on line. I think I have seen them in AutohouseAZ or FCPeuro. These discs go between the CAT and the resonator at the flanges.

I could suggest to order both parts and your relative/pick-up person on the spot can decide to purchase one or the other comparing the physical dimensions. Autozone would try to sell you the one that is designated as the correct one in their system.

LauraS

The centre muffler behind the catalytic converter. Thanks

dolucasi

By the way these are the discs. The aftermarket ones are half price of course.

https://www.autohausaz.com/pn/2024920381OE