Parts Catalog Accessories Catalog How To Articles Tech Forums
Call Pelican Parts at 888-280-7799
Shopping Cart Cart | Project List | Order Status | Help



Go Back   PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum > Mercedes-Benz Tech Information and Support > Tech Help

Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 08-05-2012, 09:05 PM
benhogan's Avatar
CPA/Greasemonkey
 
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Chapel Hill
Posts: 1,092
How can you tell if the Catalytic Converter is clogged?

is there a way to tell?

__________________
Ben
1987 190d 2.5Turbo
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 08-06-2012, 02:27 AM
Registered User
 
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: Wisconsin
Posts: 1,009
Quote:
Originally Posted by benhogan View Post
is there a way to tell?
Get an exhaust back pressure gauge. Above-normal back pressure is a pretty decisive sign of a clogged cat.

Drivability-wise, acceleration will drop off significantly, along with fuel economy. Crankcase pressure will increase. The converter itself can also overheat, although that isn't necessarily a sign of a clog (rich mixture can do that too).

When one of the cats plugged up on my V8, the difference was audible -- the exhaust sounded constricted during acceleration.
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 08-06-2012, 08:25 AM
Moderator
 
Join Date: Mar 1999
Location: Tucker, Ga USA
Posts: 12,153
Ditto!
Check exhaust back pressure with a pressure gauge, after removing the front O2 sensor and connecting an adaptor.

Should have LESS than 1 psi at idle & LESS than 1.5 psi at 2500 RPM.
__________________
MERCEDES Benz Master Guild Technician (6 TIMES)
ASE Master Technician
Mercedes Benz Star Technician (2 times)
44 years foreign automotive repair
27 Years M.B. Shop foreman (dealer)
MB technical information Specialist (15 years)
190E 2.3 16V ITS SCCA race car (sold)
1986 190E 2.3 16V 2.5 (sold)
Retired Moderator
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 08-06-2012, 09:42 AM
benhogan's Avatar
CPA/Greasemonkey
 
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Chapel Hill
Posts: 1,092
thanks for the responses mbdoc and maki.

I think that I myself is the problem. After driving diesels for so long, I've gotten spoiled by the diesel torque. When I drive the gas car, the torque just isn't there especially on take off. I believe the car is normal.

I now believe that once you drive a diesel, it's hard to go back to gas.
__________________
Ben
1987 190d 2.5Turbo
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 08-06-2012, 03:58 PM
Holmesuser01's Avatar
Holmesuser
 
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Asheville North Carolina
Posts: 197
Had a vehicle that slowly clogged the converter.

Along with the other suggestions above, my vehicle slowly overheated under load along with the weak performance.


I long for the day I can try out a diesel MB car. I've only gotten to drive gas engines by them!

__________________
My first Mercedes Benz. 4/6/07.

1984 190E (201 024) 2.3L four.
Reply With Quote
Reply

Bookmarks

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is On
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On




All times are GMT -4. The time now is 12:59 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.7
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.
Search Engine Optimization by vBSEO 3.6.0
Copyright 2018 Pelican Parts, LLC - Posts may be archived for display on the Peach Parts or Pelican Parts Website -    DMCA Registered Agent Contact Page