Achtung - Das schweinhund baby benz thread

[Simpler=Better]

Originally Posted by Stretch

Oh don't worry - it is still giving me trouble!

The catalytic converter needs to be sorted out. I get people driving past me trying to get fresh air...

...the defogging fan that I fixed seems to switch itself on and off when it feels like it - it is definitely a vacuum / vacuum pod related issue. It seems like the system is semi-automatic => **** knows what's really going on with it...

...ABS light is still providing mood lighting...

...but the car has been stashed in an underground garage in Croydon whilst I have been back and forth to Holland trying to get "stuff" sorted out.

(Rather unfortunate Holland is the destination and I know what you'll say next about that - but it is not what you think!)

Can you throw a good ($100-$200) metal spun cat under there? I've been really happy with mine-going on 1.5 years now, wrapped in fiberglass, and it still catalyzes perfectly. Only a little odor for a few minutes while the engine warms up.

Not my pic:

[Stretch]

Originally Posted by Simpler=Better

Can you throw a good ($100-$200) metal spun cat under there? I've been really happy with mine-going on 1.5 years now, wrapped in fiberglass, and it still catalyzes perfectly. Only a little odor for a few minutes while the engine warms up.

Not my pic:

I was indeed thinking about something like that. At the moment I want to make a pretty quick fix with out welding as I'll be doing the job at a mate's house where there's not going to be a full tool kit let alone metal fusing abilities (!)

In the UK I have been (reliably?) informed that the car doesn't need to have a catalytic converter fitted so I could in principle "just straight pipe it". Problem is that if I end up back in Holland then I'll need to sort out something else because I think if it was fitted with a cat from the factory it is illegal to remove it there.

The simplest solution would be to replace the catalytic converter with the front down pipe as a whole "OEM" section. Unfortunately cos I'm in the UK they only sell the UK / RHD version of the front section of the exhaust that looks different from my version. I get the impression from pictures on ebay that the RHD version has a different manifold and front pipe section to make more space for the steering box (whereas I only have an idler arm on my LHD version) - pain in the arse - hence straight pipe might be best for a short term fix.

The other solution is that my mate has access to (jet engine) compressor washing fluid that might help clean out the old cat...

...never a dull day in the land of the Stretch (where ever he might be) eh?

[Mölyapina]

This is just Massachusetts, but I know that here it is illegal to install a "generic" cat in your car... it has to be OE design to be legal. I don't know if the UK is similarly silly or not.

[Stretch]

Originally Posted by Jooseppi Luna

This is just Massachusetts, but I know that here it is illegal to install a "generic" cat in your car... it has to be OE design to be legal. I don't know if the UK is similarly silly or not.

Apparently the cut off date is 1992 to either have or not have a converter and there's a lot of mention about a post 2001 cars needing EU type approval on ebay (UK) - so thanks I'd like to stay on the right side of the law...

[Mike D]

Originally Posted by Stretch

- so thanks I'd like to stay on the right side of the law...

Turning over a new leaf since you're returning to your former side of the pond?

Just remember, you might want to be on the right side of the law but not the road.

[Mölyapina]

Originally Posted by Stretch

so thanks I'd like to stay on the right side of the law...

You're so boring. Just hood stack it.

[Stretch]

...thanks chaps (I think)

[Mölyapina]

Hey, no problem. Let us know if there is anything else we can help you with.

[Stretch]

Originally Posted by Jooseppi Luna

Hey, no problem. Let us know if there is anything else we can help you with.

Well if anyone can confirm how these supposed manual heater controls work with a semi-automatic vacuum system that would be great! (I doubt if any one here knows though as you all seem to have AC in the US of A)

[DieselPaul]

What is strange to me is my euro 201 has similar climate control, but I have an entirely different blower fan than you.

Have you ensured you're entirely free of vacuum leaks? The "automatic" HVAC in my girlfriends 190D still drives all vacuum pods and a vacuum monovalve. Putting the car on a smoke machine and sorting out a bunch of random little leaks got nearly everything working.

[Stretch]

Originally Posted by DieselPaul

What is strange to me is my euro 201 has similar climate control, but I have an entirely different blower fan than you.

Have you ensured you're entirely free of vacuum leaks? The "automatic" HVAC in my girlfriends 190D still drives all vacuum pods and a vacuum monovalve. Putting the car on a smoke machine and sorting out a bunch of random little leaks got nearly everything working.

Yessir I need to get on with it an start testing. My vacuum testing kit is in storage in Holland and as I'm now heading back that way this coming week end I should hopefully be able to start rather than pontificate!

[Stretch]

Update on the catalytic converter issue =>

I think part of the smell I'm getting has been due to a "slight" engine oil leak. Some blinking fool forgot to tighten the little cover that goes over the distributor gearing (no names!) so the bottom of the car has been getting a little bit of extra rust proofing...

...the remaining oil on the underside is still burning off...

...the performance of the car has been getting better and better with heavy right foot use so I've bunged in some snake oil (yes yes I know it is evil and I should know better but until I get some solid digs I'm stuck asking friends and family to use their driveways which given my track record for dismantling cars they are quite rightly concerned about me doing that!) and I think it might get a bit better or perhaps not - we'll see...

[Stretch]

After bombing it back to Holland today I consider my catalytic converter fixed. I'm getting a healthy feeling from the engine - at about 3000 rpm it does 130kph ~ 80 mph and there's plenty of power to get me faster if I so desire...

...sitting in a queue for the ferry, however, I saw that the electro-magnetic fan doesn't seem to come on. So that's something else to swear at.

[Simpler=Better]

Originally Posted by Stretch

After bombing it back to Holland today I consider my catalytic converter fixed. I'm getting a healthy feeling from the engine - at about 3000 rpm it does 130kph ~ 80 mph and there's plenty of power to get me faster if I so desire...

...sitting in a queue for the ferry, however, I saw that the electro-magnetic fan doesn't seem to come on. So that's something else to swear at.

Yay! Much cheaper than a new cat.

Are you sure it's getting hot enough to warrant the fan? My 4cyl gasser takes a long time idling before it gets hot enough (On at ~100*C, off at ~85*C) for the fan to kick in (like 10-15 minutes or more).

[Stretch]

Originally Posted by Simpler=Better

Yay! Much cheaper than a new cat.

Are you sure it's getting hot enough to warrant the fan? My 4cyl gasser takes a long time idling before it gets hot enough (On at ~100*C, off at ~85*C) for the fan to kick in (like 10-15 minutes or more).

You could be right about the fan - I've just checked the FSM and it does not engage like you say until 100 degrees C - I start to get nervous when it reaches an indicated 100 - may be I should take a chill pill myself and see if it gets any hotter.