Catalytic Converter Repair
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 41
Likes: 10
From: Sydney, Australia
SL55 2003 Obsidian Black, 2007 ML500
Catalytic Converter Repair
I had the right catalytic converter repaired on my 2002 ML500 this week
It was done by a local muffler shop (Quik Fit in Hornsby Sydney) for AUD$175.
At the recent service (124000km) the dealer advised me that both of them needed replacing at about AUD$2000.00 each
As this was at the same time that the usual pads and discs were replaced PLUS the gear selector Plus a rear door lock for a total of about $7000 I was not impressed.
The car gradually became noisier, only really noticeable on full throttle... my wife hadn't noticed.
After reading the forum I took it to the Muffler guy who told me on the phone he had done lots.
Half a day to remove all the torsion bars etc to lift the entire pipe out for $800 or disconnect the pipe from the engine and cut the pipe then repair the cracked seam and replace and weld the pipe together again for $175... Easy decision!
He said there was nothing wrong with the left one but that it would probably fail at some stage.
The repair consisted of welding a seam that had cracked in the converter casing. He said that it had almost separated so he was able to pry it apart and check the internals which seemed fine.
He also mentioned that the same dealer had sent a few of the same down to him to fix. They didn't tell me that!
I asked him what could be done if the internals fail and he said he just cuts the old one out and replaces it with a proprietary unit for about $400.
Having saved AUD$3650 (the other one might need doing at some stage) I am still smiling!
Hope this helps someone else!
Peter Cowie
Sydney
Australia
It was done by a local muffler shop (Quik Fit in Hornsby Sydney) for AUD$175.
At the recent service (124000km) the dealer advised me that both of them needed replacing at about AUD$2000.00 each
As this was at the same time that the usual pads and discs were replaced PLUS the gear selector Plus a rear door lock for a total of about $7000 I was not impressed.
The car gradually became noisier, only really noticeable on full throttle... my wife hadn't noticed.
After reading the forum I took it to the Muffler guy who told me on the phone he had done lots.
Half a day to remove all the torsion bars etc to lift the entire pipe out for $800 or disconnect the pipe from the engine and cut the pipe then repair the cracked seam and replace and weld the pipe together again for $175... Easy decision!
He said there was nothing wrong with the left one but that it would probably fail at some stage.
The repair consisted of welding a seam that had cracked in the converter casing. He said that it had almost separated so he was able to pry it apart and check the internals which seemed fine.
He also mentioned that the same dealer had sent a few of the same down to him to fix. They didn't tell me that!
I asked him what could be done if the internals fail and he said he just cuts the old one out and replaces it with a proprietary unit for about $400.
Having saved AUD$3650 (the other one might need doing at some stage) I am still smiling!
Hope this helps someone else!
Peter Cowie
Sydney
Australia
Newbie
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
From: Sydney
C Class W203, ML Class W163
Catalytic Converter Repair
I had it done with Quick Fit Auto @ Hornsby too. Very happy with the service. As you said they are honest and easy to deal with.
Quick Fit Motorsport
2/27 King Road, Hornsby
NSW, 2077
Australia
Email: qfm@quickfitmotorsport.com.au
Telephone: 02 94762877
Quoted to replace the Catalytic for $350, drop the vehicle in the morning. When pickup in the afternoon, was told it was not as bad and can be repaired and only cost $200 instead.
Other place quote me $1300. Dealers much more.
Thank you for the recommendation.
Quick Fit Motorsport
2/27 King Road, Hornsby
NSW, 2077
Australia
Email: qfm@quickfitmotorsport.com.au
Telephone: 02 94762877
Quoted to replace the Catalytic for $350, drop the vehicle in the morning. When pickup in the afternoon, was told it was not as bad and can be repaired and only cost $200 instead.
Other place quote me $1300. Dealers much more.
Thank you for the recommendation.
Newbie
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 2
Likes: 1
E320
Here's my two cents. I didn't have an option like that mentioned above on my ML320, 2002 (drivers side converter). So I replaced mine, but the hardest part was trying to remove the torsion bar (which I never did but tried - couldn't get the sleeve off). What I found was the third party (Non OEM) converter that I bought was manufactured in two separate pieces, joined together with a clamp. Because it was made this way, I could install it without removing the torsion bar. The old converter/pipe, I had to cut out with a reciprocating saw with a metal blade. Cutting the pipe was much easier than trying to remove the torsion bar.
Super Member
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 690
Likes: 33
From: Bay area - California
2000 ML320 2006 SLK 350
In the US, most of them were replaced under factory emissions warranty....they failed on me at 60,000 miles or about 90,000 Kms...it was a huge repair bill $2600ish....factory covered it under federal govt. 8 year/80,000 mile emissions warranty. My ML is currently at 235,000 miles/375,000 Kms...the replacement catalytic converters have not failed yet..
Last edited by mihir_d; Sep 2, 2019 at 11:17 AM.
