ultracarnut

My head exploded today when I found out that just one side of cats for my ml430 would cost $1200. Now I find one online for only $358.....what gives.
SO my ???? is will these fit? and save me a crap load of money.

pointman

it'll mostly likey fit if the measurements are right. but before that, do yourself a favor and visit an exhaust shop. cats are really easy to fix. and it will nly run you about 50-100 bucks.

ultracarnut

easy to fix......in california I dont think so. Its such a racket here in california. You cant purchase a used cat....you have to have a cat......and the only place to get a cat is the bend me over dealership for 1200 bucks. I refuse to play that game. a cats a cats is a cat.....nothing more than a mini incinerator. I ordered a after market for 1/4 the cost.
Ive lost power and I hear a ticking sound during acceleration. we did a thermal reading on each cat and the left one reads 700 degrees where the right is much cooler. no dash lights on.....no rattling.....so my benz mechanic says the cats cloged...ticking is from exhause gasses trying to excape due to backup of pressure.
3 years of great service from this truck and now this is the most trouble its given me.
Im thinkn of upgrading to a ml55 and selling my 99 430....anyone interested?

E55AMG99

Aren't your cats still under the emissions warranty? I had 2 of mine replaced in the last 6 months on my 99 E55. $3500 worth of work each. $0 out of my pocket each.

ML God

you may want to change your motor mounts also. We are finding that they are collapsing causing the converters to crack at the welds

ultracarnut

cats on mls are covered only 7/70000 because they fall under the feds truck rating.

E55AMG99

Too bad. Sounds like you're past that. Cars are only 8/80000 I think.

ultracarnut

THIS IS WHAT I RECIEVED FROM THE CAT SUPPLIER...

Late model (generally 1996 and later) cars and trucks have On-Board Diagnostic (OBDII) systems designed to detect catalyst failures. These vehicles often use two or more catalytic converters and have oxygen sensors in front and behind one or more of the converters. In nearly all cases,these sensors are located in the exhaust pipe. The vehicles on-board computer compares the oxygen sensor signals before and after the converter(s) to determine if the converter is working correctly. The system is incorporated into the computers of all new vehicles from 1996 on, that weigh less than 14,000 lbs Currently, aftermarket catalytic converters have NOT been officially approved by any government agency for vehicles with OBDII systems. The ARB is developing new, tougher tests for these converters but has NOT finalized the procedure and has NOT approved any aftermarket OBDII converters. In California, no aftermarket converter companys converters can be used on OBDII vehicles because none ! have been approved.

E55AMG99

^ that sucks!

mihir_d

so you do agree that motor mount failure could cause the CATs to fail....I was looking for that answer from a MB tech, but no tech at my dealership would accept that story....they just kept telling me that motor mounts and CAT failure were totally unrelated..

Driver55er

What were the symptoms on your 99? Did the dealer replace without question or was it an issue? How many miles? I would like to get mine replaced on my 99 e if possible.
Thanks,

ultracarnut

ok update......after my slight anurisim with my mechanic I went to my local muffler shop. did a back pressure check...came out ok. Told him under a load the motor makes a ticking sound like an exhaust leak.....so he checked for that....and would you believe low and behold it was the drivers side cat....leaking from a hair line fracture all around the weld.....fixed in an hour ...$100. savings....$1100
you would think my mechanic would check this before telling his customer he needs to purchase a new arm and a leg for his truck. wifes happy Im estatic and the ML runs great...even got some lost power back or so it feels.
so FYI all you out there if you have cat problems heres a quick sollution. happy motoring all.

pointman

told ya.

E55AMG99

sounded like gravel in the crankcase. rev the engine and let off. replaced without question on 2 different occassions. known problem according to local dealer.