Hypothetically, would the complete removal of the catalytic converters from an 02 ML320 cause any harm to the operation of the engine/other systems? Ignoring the issue of the emission tests, etc, would their removal affect fuel economy, noise level, exhaust smell, etc negatively?
Would removing them also call for the removal of the O2 sensors and would that then generate CEL lights or other issues?
I'm just not clear what role they play apart from emissions, and I have never heard of these failing as often as I do on these ML's (even excluding the recall issue). Since MB seems to have such a high threshold for oil use on these, it just seems like all that works together to doom the cats.
Searching on here seems to yield countless threads but most relate to the recall (for which 02's are not eligible).
My specific issue is a loud rattling of the left cat, diagnosed by dealer as a "failed catalytic converter", I am just weighing options in terms of cost of repair vs. value of vehicle at this age (109,000 miles). Next step is an indy exhaust shop for their opinion but I want to arm myself with ML-specifc info prior to my visit.
Do you have kids? a car without cats can hypothetically equal the smog of 10 cars that have a cat.
Are you willing to be selfish and save $200 while you pollute the air the world breathes? That is the question you should be asking, not whether it will affect the performance of your car.
Quote:
Originally Posted by tzetter
Hypothetically, would the complete removal of the catalytic converters from an 02 ML320 cause any harm to the operation of the engine/other systems? Ignoring the issue of the emission tests, etc, would their removal affect fuel economy, noise level, exhaust smell, etc negatively?
Would removing them also call for the removal of the O2 sensors and would that then generate CEL lights or other issues?
I'm just not clear what role they play apart from emissions, and I have never heard of these failing as often as I do on these ML's (even excluding the recall issue). Since MB seems to have such a high threshold for oil use on these, it just seems like all that works together to doom the cats.
Searching on here seems to yield countless threads but most relate to the recall (for which 02's are not eligible).
My specific issue is a loud rattling of the left cat, diagnosed by dealer as a "failed catalytic converter", I am just weighing options in terms of cost of repair vs. value of vehicle at this age (109,000 miles). Next step is an indy exhaust shop for their opinion but I want to arm myself with ML-specifc info prior to my visit.
I'm not going to remove my cats, I didn't say I was, and I am not interested in an environmental demonstration. Cat or no cat driving a heavy, thirsty, SUV is certainly NOT a "green" choice, so kiss your kids while you buckle them into your V-EIGHT.
Now, my technical questions above still stand for anyone willing to offer any input specific to them.
May have to be sure that there are no sensors. Some new cars have sensors near them and when removed can cause issues. Also if you have any warranty issues they will be voided. Technically speaking as long as you replace the sensors (if there are any) you should be fine. Probably a o2 sensor near/in that area that would need to be tapped into the new pipe.
And yea...to the above post, ML500 and saying that it is bad for the environment...come on, if you were so concerned you would have bought a Prius!
YTou cannot pull the cats, since then entire ML fuel system is driven off the full circuit including the post-cat
O2 sensors..this is not unique to ML's...
I'm not going to remove my cats, I didn't say I was, and I am not interested in an environmental demonstration. Cat or no cat driving a heavy, thirsty, SUV is certainly NOT a "green" choice, so kiss your kids while you buckle them into your V-EIGHT.
Now, my technical questions above still stand for anyone willing to offer any input specific to them.
bypassing implies you're going to remove them. If you want to go to jail then so be it if that' what you're thinking. Your posting such comment implied you're about to do something against federal law. So be it if you want to tamper with a smog device. I'm just advising you, but obviously you care less due to your response. Why worry about O2 sensors if you're not planning to remove them?
Just pay the money to have it fixed and leave it be. You can get a cat for $100 that will do it's job
FYI, the ML500 is an LEV with four cats, and gets 20mpg. 22 highway.
The ML engine is tuned by computer to run with a certain amount of back pressure. If you remove those converters, it will screw up the way the engine runs because there's no way the computer can compensate for the absence of back pressure. In other words, don't do it.
__________________ Be careful about reading health books. You may die of a misprint.- Mark Twain
The ML engine is tuned by computer to run with a certain amount of back pressure. If you remove those converters, it will screw up the way the engine runs because there's no way the computer can compensate for the absence of back pressure. In other words, don't do it.
I second that, nothing personal to the poster who opened this thread, but there are things that just need to be done right.
Linear Mode
