Exhausts&Catalysers
We are replacing our exhaust for the first time at 160,000miles. Not because the pipes or boxes have gone but because the brackets and joints have and the catalyser is rattling. So my question is this: The car is July 1992 on a 'J' plate and I am informed that pre 'K reg ' cars can be legally run without Catalysers. If I remove ours does the car need to be reset in any way, and if so, can resetting be avoided if an additional baffle is fitted to balance the system with the same resistance as the Cat provided?
The car is July 1992 on a 'J' plate and I am informed that pre 'K reg ' cars can be legally run without Catalysers.
I am unsure about the exact date and also whether it refers to date of manufacture or first registration but I can confirm that there is a date around in 1992 that made catalysers compulsory for all petrol powered vehicles EU-wide. So before that date, even if your vehicle was fitted from factory with one of those you might get away with not having one fitted. I believe Tim Carnell (G-Wizz editor) can confirm.
If I remove ours does the car need to be reset in any way, and if so, can resetting be avoided if an additional baffle is fitted to balance the system with the same resistance as the Cat provided?
Aha! This is a good one! All older 463 series G-Wagens (1991 to 1993) were fitted with a silencer in lieu of the catalyser. In the case of my G, it has one silencer right after the exhaust manifolds underneath the bodywork to the right-hand side of the chassis, then a second one in the pipe running from one side to the other (though I believe the 250GD did not have this one) and finally a third one mirroring the first one to the left-hand side of the chassis. What I don't know is whether i) you'd need to "reset" the engine and/or ii) whether you'd need the first baffle to create the same resistance as that of the catalyser and iii) whether the latter would be technically possible, given the convoluted structure of all catalysers.
Somebody there to help?
Not sure what type of fuel injection/engine management is fitted to the 300.
It must be closed loop (has a lamda probe/oxygen sensor) though, which controls the mixture by altering the duration the injectors ore open for dependant on the throttle position, air flow in to the engine etc.
The engine should not therefore require re-setting.
I have have removed the CAT on my 92 Audi by just "bashing" the inards out and replacing the empty CAT. Beware it's toxic!
Slight increase in noise, I suspect this is due to the empty CAT rather than any silancing effect the CAT had. Better tractability and lower fuel consumption.
CAT's were and are a dead end technology which were sales/polictical ploy.
Russ
If you are stripping off the exhaust system, then it may be useful as a template for manufacturing a SS one. Tim Carnell was looking for one to use and probably would be able to use your's especially if it has not deteriorated too much. He lined up a SS exhaust manufacturer I think down SW somewhere .
What do you think?
Roly
If you are stripping off the exhaust system, then it may be useful as a template for manufacturing a SS one. Tim Carnell was looking for one to use and probably would be able to use your's especially if it has not deteriorated too much. He lined up a SS exhaust manufacturer I think down SW somewhere .
What do you think?
Roly
Tom, I am with Roly. If at all possible please get in touch with Tim Carnell (G-Wizz editor). This could make it possible for fellow club members to buy a SS exhaust at a price cheaper than a MB original. Regards,
Price not the cheapest at around £600 fitted but he is nearer than Halifax. Any other suggestions?
Are you sure about the price? 463 series exhausts are quite convoluted and therefore not expected to be cheap, but 600 quid for a stainless steel system sound more like a gift!
Blimey! If you can get that guy to copy yours and keep the pattern so that he could do more in the future by mail order that would be absolutely brilliant!
Let us know how that goes.
Footnote to my note about Carshalton stainless exhaust fitters. They forgot to mention that the original owner had sold the business, and they were a franchise outfit. Kall Kwik in Stainless- need I say more. I ended up with the cat removed and a stainless pipe in lieu, this was carried out competently but only after so much sucking of teeth I hadn't experienced for a long while. Maybe a trip to Halifax would have been better after all. Tombo.
Tom:
I understand from your posting that they only replaced the catalyser bit with a piece of SS pipe. Is this correct? How much did they charge for that?
The pipe with 'y' junction and new bracket etc cost £120+VAT. Fair. The annoying thing is, having had this rattle that seemed to emanate from the CAT, and unable to be examined while on the car, once it was cut out and opened up there wasb nothing in it that could have caused it, it seems now with the pipe replacement that the problem was caused by the downpipes rattling against the front antiroll bar. This has at least been rectified by the new brackets. If MB can produce such a strong exhaust system (10yrs and 160K miles and plenty of life left apparently), why dont the brackets match up to the same standard; I'd replaced them already 3 yrs ago.
I still mantain that GDS Exhausts in Brackley are about the best around for exhust technology. they have just produced a bute for my 300GD to 350 TDI conversion.
And if they are good enough for Williams they are good enough for me.
Bill Moss
I still mantain that GDS Exhausts in Brackley are about the best around for exhust technology. they have just produced a bute for my 300GD to 350 TDI conversion.
And if they are good enough for Williams they are good enough for me.
Bill Moss
Bill,
The only question is still whether they will be able to supply S/S systems for 463 series by mail order and how much would that cost.
Cheers
hi
the 103 engine of 92 was what merc termed ruf/kat wich means that it is designed to be fitted with or without a kat and will if set up run with or without a lambda (o2) sensor
Regards Terry
My front pipe has blow local places telling me dealer part only. my lovely lady friend at mercedes tells me £463+ the twat can any one help me or am i doomed to the main dealer, i would consider s/s one but rest of exhaust is pretty new. Cheers Bry.....
The link below is of a company with branches nationwide. I've had good results with them. System is fitted to your specification while you watch. Takes about 3 hours.
Last time I paid £400 for a full system for my sprinter.
With a lifetime guarantee included, I think that's top value for money.
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Jesus, I'm happy to donate my original exhaust if it doesn't disintegrate. I've been in touch with a Stainless exhaust specalist in Carshalton called 'mike the pipe' who, when i can spare a day to get down there, will copy mine. To all accounts he's good, has anyone else heard of him? Price not the cheapest at around £600 fitted but he is nearer than Halifax. Any other suggestions?