mobilusa

Hi there

Just yesterday start hearing strange rattling knocking noise from underneath the car. I thought it was coming from engine area, but when i stuck my head underneath the car i can clearly states its coming from mid section of exhaust system and it seems to be one of my CAT converter, or may be both. From information i got on different forums including this one the CATS are covered by MB replacement warranty up to 8yrs or 80K miles, but someone mentioned that it has beeen extended to 10yrs or 105K miles.

1) Can somebody tell me the latest updated info on CATS replacement by MB? My cars is 2001 and had 88K miles on it.

2) How much does it cost to replace one or two of them at some exhaust.muffler bodyshop?

3) Also, what are the consequences of not replacing them?

Thanx in advance.

mobilusa

bump. 240 views and no responses? im i that lucky one? LOL

p.s. tmw im callinh MB to find out the latest info on extended time for free CATS replacement

jackasswhy

I got mine rrplaced under warranty at 60k and 6 yrs old

mobilusa

AS OF MAY 2011 the warranty time hasn't been changed and it still 8yrs or 80K miles
Im gonna start looking for universal CATS to replace them. I got a quote from couple of welding body shops @ 100-120 total just for labor. The CATS i found online are MAGNAFLOW for $225 each, including shipping

jackasswhy

Aftermarket cats have to be obd2 and they cost more thab that

mobilusa

To be honest, i dont really care about Inspection, i dont have problem passing it at all. The only thing that bothers me is stupid noise from broken pieces inside of the CATS

ksc

certain cars have the 2 year extension to 10 years - did the dealership run your VIN to check?

luis rios1984

OK, I HAD THE SAME PROBLEM ON MY 2002 S-500, A RATTLE UNDERNEATH THE CAR, I THOUGHT IT WAS THE CAT CONVERTER, I TOOK IT THE MBZ DEALERSHIP AND THE SERVICE GUY TOLD ME ( O YEAH, ITS THE CAT CONVERTER, WE CAN INSTALL IT FOR 900.OO INCLUDING LABOR) BUT HE NEVER TOOK THE TIME TO LOOK UNDERNEATH, MMMM SO I WENT HOME LIFTED THE CAR WITH A FLOOR JACK AND BUYYAA, IT WAS ACTUALLY A BRACKET THAT HOLDS THE TWO EXHAUST PIPES BY THE ENGINE UNDERNEATH, IT WAS LOOSE THAT WAS THE CAUSE FOR THE RATTLE NOISE

ohlord

if they are the primary or secondary cats way less than 250 for universals.
AND you don't need obd2 CARB cert cats unless you live in California.
Magnaflow has secondary cats for under 100 bucks universals.
Racepages.com has some primaries short style universals if the mains are the culprit.

jackasswhy

he does need need obd2 cats or else it would trigger the check engine...

mobilusa

Great! Thanx for help, guys. I checked it out - its definitely cats and not loose muffler or anything. I will either replace it with universal one or will cut them out completely.

I'll keep you posted

MBNiko

No..... There's only a sensor in the primary cats that will trigger a CEL if taken out. Secondary do not have the O-2 sensor.

elystyle00018

Your check engine was on ?

jessfaust

IS THE NOISE LIKE A BOWLING BALL LEFT ROLLING IN THE COMPARTMENT? THATS THE NOISE I'M HEARING BUT NOT ON HIGH SPEED. PLS HELP....

bert213

I need help with which direction to take...

1) purchase a universal cat?
2) purchase oem full direct placement

Either way, I need some part numbers.

corkshoppe

universals will work just fine. save the money, our cars are 10+ years old and oem on something like this is not warrented, the cars are worth $5-10 grand so do as i did, aftermarket. or cut 1 out!

armsouza

I had the same issue with my 02 S500 a few weeks ago... It turns out that my car has 4 catalytic converters (2 on each side)... The rattling noise was coming out of the rear ones... I ended up jacking the car up, cut out both rear cats, punched them out (with a crowbar), and put them back in place with pipe joints and clamps... The rattle is gone, and since the O2 sensors are located before the back cats (they are located right after the front cats) I get no error codes at all. In fact, I will not have any issues even passing inspection, as here in BC Canada they hook up to your OBDII when doing the inspection, and the front cats are fine and working properly. It has not affected anything, not even the exhaust sound has changed

Took me about 3 hours to jack up the car, cut out the cats with a reciprocating saw, punch them out and install them back on with the clamps.... the dealer wanted $2,700 for both sides, after market was going to cost me about $1,400 both sides (parts only).... My final cost was about $27...