SL500, cat converter 2k! Help!
 

1996 SL500, I just split the right side cat converter in half, my indie says this is quite common. Dealer wants $2050 for the cat, plus labor and O2. My indie says he might be able to get an aftermarket for $700-800, but is checking.

Anyone have any aftermarket solutions or suggestions?

http://www.1motormart.com/catalytic/part.php?partid=2609&year=1996

$380 for one, any reason I should not buy this one? Is there any pressing need to go with the OEM cat?

Check out their return policy.
 

I would try to find out all of the details of the fitting of it and the return policies. I thought you had won the lottery since we hadn't heard from you a while on the boards.

Is this car OBD-1 or OBD-II?

My previous car, a 1993 300E 3.2, failed the smog test, and the problem was a plugged up catalytic converter.

I took it to a local muffler shop that my Mercedes indie recommended, and they welded a new one on for about $200.

I took the car back to the smog check station, and it passed, but just barely.

The shop said that on all OBD-II Mercedes (1996 - present), they will not put aftermarket cats on anymore. It seems the computer system in the car is too sensitive, and anything but an original catalytic converter will set off a check engine light.

You might also check the units at www.timevalve.com

They are a frequent advertiser in The Star Magazine, and appear to have an excellent reputation.

Thanks much, no lottery yet!! My indie was able to get an oem one for $830, so at least I know its designed to be in there. He also told me these aftermarket companies save by not including any piping.

By the way what has happened to this forum? Seems like not many know anything or are willing to help anymore. What a shame.

Maybe just bad luck Spinedoc. This side does have a high turnover so sometimes I suspect posts get missed. There are several very knowledgeable people here regarding the testing of systems specifically with regards to Cats and emissions. I have had much help from those, so feel the urge to comment.

Several did post on the SL forum where you first raised your question, however I was also a little surprised when I raised a similar question here about aftermarket Cats - no one could recommend a replacement :(

Hope you find your new OEM Cat is really an OEM cat as that's a VERY good price. Dealer price here is GBP1500 = USD3000

Lea

Newbies flooding boards with ???
 

Unfortunately a lot of "newbies" to the forum are asking questions without using the search function and everything gets pushed to the next page. I posted a valid question in the "Tech" forum and by that evening, it was pushed to the bottom of the page. Most of the questions above it were posted by "newbies" and their multiple "bumps" when nobody answered. Now I just don't bother anymore with questions. :eek:

Thanks guys for the help, my indie actually is awesome. He was able to weld the catalyst where it had split, so I didnt have to replace it at all.

Lea, did you get my PM regarding the repair DVD?

Could be a " sign of the times ". ;)
Good to hear you found a cheap fix for you converter.

Spinedoc - no I didn't. This has happened to me before...I'll go and check manually as I think the 'pop up' message fails to work for me sometimes!

Ah, I keep exceeding my 70 message limit. HHave downloading them all now and hopefully will receive yours. Maybe best to resend Spindoc?

Lea

A sticky would be nice, reminding people to search and listing some common subjects that have been WELL covered.

MP