04' mercedes clk. i start the engine on night and the check engine light comes on. no big deal it's happened before. i drive the car and when I come to a complete stop it sounds like there's pots and pans underneath the engine. i call the dealership they say as long as the check engine light isn't flashing it's no problem to drive the car.

drove the car and had acceleration problems. finally the dealer took the car in today. they say it sounds like a cataylic converter/exhaust problem. the warranty is valid for another 9K miles. should i a) pay $4K for the extended warranty to 100K miles b) not pay the warranty money and save for a down payment on a new car.

also IS THIS CAR FUCKED FOR LIFE NOW. WILL THIS REOCCUR AFTER IT'S REPAIRED?

1/16/2006 9:47:27 AM

how many miles are on it?

make them replace that thing.

1/16/2006 10:20:49 AM

41,900 miles

1/16/2006 10:32:17 AM

damn. get them to replace it.

Quote :

"IS THIS CAR FUCKED FOR LIFE NOW. WILL THIS REOCCUR AFTER IT'S REPAIRED?"

AFAIK they dont really repair the cat. they just throw a new one on there.

1/16/2006 10:42:35 AM

if you're pissed about expensive maintainance you probably shouldn't be owning a luxury German car

1/16/2006 10:47:52 AM

the maint is free for now. just trying to figure if the extended warranty is worth it or not. it's extended till 100K. or trying to ration if I should just save the money for a downpayment on a new model.

sh!t like this makes leasing a good option . . . i may consider doing that next cause I like switching cars ever 2-3 years.

1/16/2006 10:49:21 AM

your car is fucked.. you should sell it to me for $500

1/16/2006 10:59:48 AM

bah you should probably just save for a new car again, especially if you get tired of cars

1/16/2006 11:00:21 AM

you are not supposed to have to replace your cat until it's about 10 years old....that's pretty shitty

1/16/2006 11:02:02 AM

sounds like the catalyst is breaking up and choking the engine. take advantage of your warranty and have it fixed.

^thats not really true, a more accurate statement is you dont need to replace the cat untill its bad. this is best determined by doing a back pressure test of the exhaust system before and after the cat and comparing the readings.

that being said, even if you werent under the main warranty anymore, some manufacturers warranty the converter for a long time. as an example, these days honda covers theirs till 100k.

listen hamsterman, you already made a thread about the warranty and your query was more than answered. if you dont pay attention to answers, dont ask questions.

1/16/2006 6:01:20 PM

they replaced it. it was covered under the warranty. had it not the service guy estimated $1600 would have been the cost w/labor.

1/16/2006 6:25:23 PM

dont you mean cadillac converter?

1/17/2006 8:19:37 AM

^^^ i had one so choked up with oil before, i stuck the little probe in the hole i drilled before the cat, take in mind the engine would barely run, cranked it up, and it shot the tube and gauge across the shop floor. needless to say, i just took a hammer and long ass punch to it. damn i miss working in va with no emissions regulations

1/17/2006 9:09:05 AM

Quote :

"you are not supposed to have to replace your cat until it's about 10 years old....that's pretty shitty"

that's the goal of the EPA anyway

1/17/2006 9:11:11 AM

so they replaced the left cconverter. and some spark plugs. fortunately this sh!t was free. just drove it today. it seems fine.

1/17/2006 9:34:19 AM

Quote :

"dont you mean cadillac converter? "

cadilladic converter

1/17/2006 9:51:54 AM

i know a guy that had his break up at a HPDE.. we gutted it in the pits...

1/17/2006 10:02:11 AM

HDPE

1/17/2006 10:21:21 AM

what?

1/17/2006 11:02:48 AM

sorry the 10years i stated above was a little much....i found my paper from my cat i just got a while ago. It says that catalytic converters are designed to last the life of the vehicle and do not normally require replacement. [b]If the vehicle is properly used and maintained original converters are covered by the emission control warranty for 8 years or 80,000 miles. Federal law prohibits repair business from replacing thes devices except under certain limited circumstances.

1/17/2006 7:57:31 PM