Hi all,

I got a car, finally! Overall it is in pretty good shape, and it has all the service records!

AND..it still has the trap in it! I am working on setting up a date with the dealer to get it swapped, but my question is:

What is the likelihood that I'll get a new exhaust and/or turbo along with this? Will they only do it if needed or would they do it to milk MB for labor?

Also, is the head covered under the recall for the trap? I am fairly certain that mine is not blown (runs fine) but if it happened to be, could they claim it to be a result of the trap? That would be the ultimate freebee, IMO!

I'll try to get some pictures in my profile soon!

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Dan
2005 E320 CDI - 246k
1987 300SDL TD05-16g, Herlevi pump, Elbe manifold, 2.47 LSD - 213k
Past: 1987 300D - 264k

You get everything downstream of the turbo for sure. MB changed the flange aft of the transmission. My guess is so you can't easily attach a cat-less downpipe. If you can somehow sweet-talk them out of your old exhaust system, I'd be interested in the downpipe.

Turbo will be replaced if they see any reason to do so. I don't know their inspection regimen.

If your car wasn't towed in, I doubt you'll get a new head out of it.

Sixto
87 300D

Complete records and trap in place is a paradox.

Sixto
87 300D

They will inspect the turbo and, if damaged, will replace it. Mine was found to have a hole in it; they didn't say how big nor did I see it. They might re-use some of the existing muffler plumbing if it is in good condition. Mine was rotten and so was completely replaced.

The trap cat issue was not related to head failures so you will have to live with your existing head which, I hope for your sake, is still in good condition.

NOTE: I will be discussing here in a future new thread a problem that recently occurred in my car with the plumbing that lives in between the turbo outlet and the crossover tube (that goes to the intake manifold). Part of this plumbing is an aluminum casting to which the EGR valve is attached. This casting attaches to the block with three M6x1 Allen-head cap screws.

With the EGR valve in place, the bottom screw is impossible to remove or install. With the EGR valve out of the way (temporarily or permanently), it is difficult but possible. Two years ago, during the recall work on my '87 300D, the mechanic was unable to get the bottom screw in and so left the casting attached by only the two top screws. This eventually caused an oil leak that I will describe in detail when I create the new thread (in a week or so).

It is possible to R&R the trap cat and not touch the turbo; if this casting that I talk about cannot be removed (because they can't figure out how to get at the bottom screw), they might skip the turbo inspection and not say anything. You should follow up to make sure they do inspect the turbo and put the casting back in with all three screws. Because the recall is more than ten years old, most of the cars have already had the recall work done or they have gone to car heaven. Consequently, dealers see recalled vehicles for this issue rarely and it's possible that the job will be assigned to a mechanic who has never before done one. Act accordingly!

In the attached pictures, you will see the casting that I am talking about and also how my EGR valve has fallen off and its holes plugged up.

Jeremy

Attached Thumbnails

   

__________________

"Buster" in the '95

Our all-Diesel family
1996 E300D (W210) . .343,000 miles Wife's car
2005 E320 CDI . . 148,000 miles My car
Santa Rosa population 177,300 (2026 projected)
Total. . . . . . . . . . . . 668,300
"Oh lord won't you buy me a Mercedes Benz."
-- Janis Joplin, October 1, 1970