E-Class (W210) 1995-2002: E 200, E 220D, E 240, E 290TD, E 300TD, E 200, E 240, E 280, E 320, E 420, E 430 (Wagon, Touring, 4Matic)

catalytic converter question

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Rate Thread
 
Old 10-01-2005, 05:47 PM
  #1  
Newbie
Thread Starter
 
wickeddragon's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2005
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
catalytic converter question

i took my 2000 e320 in for its service b & was told there may be a catalytic converter issue that needs replacement of it or it will eventually ruin the engine as a whole................is this true? I always thought the catalytic converter's job was only to clean the air coming from my engine, is this guy b.s.'in me? if not i gotta shell out $1500 for the left side alone....damn

thanks for the adive

--newbie
Old 10-01-2005, 05:50 PM
  #2  
MBWorld Fanatic!
 
E55AMG99's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: WOT somewhere in the Bay Area
Posts: 3,445
Received 2 Likes on 2 Posts
1951 Caterpiller D6
Past your 7 year 70,000 or 8 year 80,000 emissions warranty? A cat can get plugged and it is not good for engine performance. Never heard of it causing damage maybe because people can't take the loss of power and getit fixed.

BTW, a known issue on MB.
Old 10-01-2005, 05:58 PM
  #3  
Newbie
Thread Starter
 
wickeddragon's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2005
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
they said they would see if my car was under the 70K or the 80K warranty, my car is sitting at 71K right now, i am hoping they will take care of it since its a pretty known issue for mbz, but i was told it was more common in thier m-series
Old 10-01-2005, 07:10 PM
  #4  
MBWorld Fanatic!
 
E55AMG99's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: WOT somewhere in the Bay Area
Posts: 3,445
Received 2 Likes on 2 Posts
1951 Caterpiller D6
Originally Posted by wickeddragon
they said they would see if my car was under the 70K or the 80K warranty, my car is sitting at 71K right now, i am hoping they will take care of it since its a pretty known issue for mbz, but i was told it was more common in thier m-series
If they refuse becasue you are1K over, take your car and all your business elsewhere.
Old 10-02-2005, 01:08 AM
  #5  
MBWorld Fanatic!
 
BlownV8's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: In my garage
Posts: 8,462
Received 1,017 Likes on 820 Posts
E55, GLS450, GL63, GLE350
they said they would see if my car was under the 70K or the 80K warranty, my car is sitting at 71K right now, i am hoping they will take care of it since its a pretty known issue for mbz, but i was told it was more common in thier m-series
USEPA is 80,000 miles. Federal law supercedes state law if they bring-up the BS 70,000 mile CA limit. You should not have a problem.
Old 10-02-2005, 04:45 PM
  #6  
Newbie
Thread Starter
 
wickeddragon's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2005
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
that is some good news indeed, now i can invest in some nicer tires
Old 10-15-2005, 05:24 AM
  #7  
Newbie
 
mazeta's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Hollywood, CA
Posts: 16
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
2000 E320
Originally Posted by BlownV8
USEPA is 80,000 miles. Federal law supercedes state law if they bring-up the BS 70,000 mile CA limit. You should not have a problem.
Stupid question, but does this USEPA stipulation apply to cars that are out of warranty? One of my converters gave out @ ~76K miles (I'm in California).
Old 10-15-2005, 01:44 PM
  #8  
MBWorld Fanatic!
 
BlownV8's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: In my garage
Posts: 8,462
Received 1,017 Likes on 820 Posts
E55, GLS450, GL63, GLE350
USEPA law is 80,000 miles and 8 years on catalytic converters. The manufacturer must meet those guidelines regardless of the states laws. Federal law supercedes state law.
Old 10-15-2005, 02:39 PM
  #9  
MBWorld Fanatic!
 
sosh's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2001
Location: Philadelphia area
Posts: 4,260
Likes: 0
Received 4 Likes on 3 Posts
2010 ML550, 2010 E350 4M, 1966 Corvette Convt C2
Cats are a consumable item. They do not last forever. Believe the emmissions warranty is 80000 miles. Cats are no more of a problem with MB's as they are with other makes. And, yes, a clogged cat can cause engine damage and can cause a fire as they get really hot.Premature cat failure can be caused by running bad fuel or even leaded fuel if you can still find it. Also running rich can cause failure.
Old 10-18-2005, 12:45 PM
  #10  
Newbie
 
mazeta's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Hollywood, CA
Posts: 16
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
2000 E320
Believe it!

Originally Posted by BlownV8
USEPA law is 80,000 miles and 8 years on catalytic converters. The manufacturer must meet those guidelines regardless of the states laws. Federal law supercedes state law.
Dropped off my 2000 E320 at the dealer this morning. One of the cats went bad and I invoked the 8 year/80K mile emissions performance warranty. Dealer will fix it for free. All dealers MUST honor it (it's even mentioned in the car's warranty booklet). A dealer who turns you away even after the car meets the warranty requirements is breaking the law.
The car has 76K miles on it...I hope the other cat goes out before it reaches 80K! :v
Old 10-18-2005, 01:14 PM
  #11  
MBWorld Fanatic!
 
StapleGun's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2005
Posts: 2,330
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
1967 Morris Cooper "S", 1983 911SC, 1997 Toyota Tacoma, 1999 HD FXSTB, 1998 C43
Good thread

Valuable info, thanks for 411 once again!
Old 10-18-2005, 05:16 PM
  #12  
MBWorld Fanatic!
 
Air Marshall Eldritch's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2002
Posts: 9,815
Received 13 Likes on 12 Posts
John Deere
Originally Posted by mazeta
I hope the other cat goes out before it reaches 80K! :v

I wonder if there is a way to "help" ensure that. maybe some delicate work with a screwdriver?
Old 10-19-2005, 01:32 AM
  #13  
MBWorld Fanatic!
 
BlownV8's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: In my garage
Posts: 8,462
Received 1,017 Likes on 820 Posts
E55, GLS450, GL63, GLE350
Glad I could help.
Old 10-27-2005, 02:15 AM
  #14  
Newbie
 
mazeta's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Hollywood, CA
Posts: 16
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
2000 E320
You wouldn't believe me if I told you...

Originally Posted by RBrenton88
I wonder if there is a way to "help" ensure that. maybe some delicate work with a screwdriver?
I took my car in to the local dealer because of the one bad cat converter. After the car inspection, the dealer informed me that the second cat was about to go out as well...SO THEY REPLACED BOTH FREE OF CHARGE!
I saved at least a few grand.
My gratitude goes to this forum and the very knowledgeable folks who take the time to post. I was ready to bend over, grab my ankles, and pay a mechanic blindly to fix my car. I don't know what I'd do without this forum!
Thanks.
Old 07-11-2009, 11:33 PM
  #15  
Newbie
 
bertrocka's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2007
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
GL 450 -Mysterious fires

My brother's wife used to have an '07 GL 450. I say used to because last nig.ht, the car caught fire, apparently as a result of the catalytic converter.
There entire house burnt down to the ground and their dog of 7 years was killed in the fire. They have lost EVERYTHING they own. While their possesions can be replaced - Imagine if you're family member, albeit, a dog, was killed in the chaos. I am looking for anyone who has experienced a similar "mysterious" fire-catching incident of the GL450. The car had been shut off for at least 5 hours prior to it cathcing fire. My brother, his wife, and 2 children were lucky to get out of the fire alive, although their beloved dog, Caesar was not so lucky. Please contact me at robert@jtjindustries.com if you know of anyone or any incidents similar to this one. I would really appreciate it.
Old 07-12-2009, 12:09 AM
  #16  
MBWorld Fanatic!
 
ohlord's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2007
Posts: 6,171
Received 15 Likes on 11 Posts
300E a couple 1994 w124wagon E320 Wagon/,1971MGB Track/Rally, MG Midget Autocross ,2000 E320 wagon.
Overheated cat

should have cooled down in 5 hours. Must have been some combustibles in the area around the car or an insurance investigator is going to be needed to place blame on a unit that cools down in minutes.Not hours.
I would be on the phone with the insurance investigator.Now!
Sorry about the dog,very glad they all got out.

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 


You have already rated this thread Rating: Thread Rating: 0 votes,  average.

Quick Reply: catalytic converter question



All times are GMT -4. The time now is 10:39 AM.