Mild pinging/tapping sound - 97 E 420 - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

evozine · #1 11-02-2005, 02:22 AM

Help,

My 97 E 420 just started creating a very mild ping/tapping sound after a 220 mile drive today. The sound is similiar to a tapping of a small hollow pipe, which in my case increases in frequency at higher RPM's.

This sound appears to come from the engine compartment, although it does not affect peformance at all. I am hoping it's just a loose hose or some other item touching the exhaust system.

Has anyone out there experienced a similiar problem...?

thanks,

jhodg5ck · #2 11-02-2005, 12:11 PM

I'd be worried about the oil feed tubes..they are known to go bad on that car..hopefully what you are hearing is not the start of top end issues.

I'd take the car to your best indy and see what they find.

Jonathan

Hatterasguy · #3 11-02-2005, 07:04 PM

It might be the oil feed tubes. Luckly they are a pretty cheap simple fix.

evozine · #4 11-02-2005, 11:47 PM

The engine was fine, according to the Mercedes dealer it was the catalytic converters. They wanted $2,800 dollars to replace them ($1,200 x 2) + (400 labor). I walked away with a only a $45 inspection charge, a car wash, and my noisy E 420. They insisted that they were the only ones who supplied the cats.

I've checked several independent shops, they carry aftermarket cats for $350 dollars each, plus $100 dollars labor to cut and re-weld. I am all for retaining MB quality parts when I can afford them, but this time I am going for the less expensive cats from a well respected muffler shop. Yes, these catalytic converters are California state approved, and they have a 5 year warranty.

Lastly, I didn't qualify for the Benz catalytic converter warranty because my car is over 8 years old; otherwise it would have been free from the dealer---dammmm

jhodg5ck · #5 11-03-2005, 12:03 AM

what company makes the cats?? there are Very few reputable ones left..

Jonathan

evozine · #6 11-03-2005, 12:16 AM

I can't recall the name, I will post it after I get the car back. A five year warranty is good enough for me...

How long did it take you to rebuild the engine shown on your site---very nice work...

Al

jhodg5ck · #7 11-03-2005, 08:04 AM

just as an FYI, but if you can't show proof that your changed your O2 sensors when you had the cats done you will Not have any warantee... A very good family friend has been in the cat business since the 70's.

Jonathan

evozine · #8 11-03-2005, 10:22 PM

The car has been fixed. I ended up going to a Midas Shop in Encinitas, CA. They have a guy there who does lots of benz exhaust work from the Hoehn Mercedes dealer in Carlsbad.

Anyway, he repaced my two bad cats with California approved aftermaket cats, though I didn't see the actual brand name. I got a 50,000 mile / 5 year warranty on the welding and cats for around 1/4 of the dealer cost.

Oh, I checked the cheapo 3rd party warranty i have. They didn't have a requirements for the 02 sensor replacement. Thanks for the info anyway. ...