How can one tell if the catalytic converters are on the blink? I have the 113 engine, and am getting poor performance at times and smell a rotten egg odor...

They rattle usually or your CE light comes on.

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1980 500SE/AMG Euro
1981 500SEL Euro
1982 380SEL
1983 300TD
1983 500SEC/AMG Euro
1984 500SEC
1984 300TD Euro
1986 190E 2.3-16
1986 190E 2.3
1987 300D
1997 C36 AMG
2003 C320T 4matic

past: 1969 280SE 4.5 | 1978 240D | 1978 300D | 1981 300SD | 1981 300SD | 1982 300CD | 1983 300CD | 1983 300SD | 1983 380SEC | 1984 300D | 1984 300D | 1984 300TD | 1984 500SEL | 1984 300SD | 1985 300D | 1986 300E | 1986 560SEL | 1986 560SEL/Carat | 1987 560SEC | 1991 300D 2.5 | 2006 R350

Well, that's whats going on. could they be unplugged or just plain replace em? Also, could I just take em off altogether? I heard cars run better without 'em anyhow...

I dont think its "legal" to remove them if your car was orignally equipped with them and it probably was if its a 1975 or newer model (which was the first year they were put on USA sold cars) and I do not think any muffler/repair shop will remove them. I guess if you did it yourself and there were no emission testing in your area there would not be a problem, but on a car designed to have them, without them could cause even more problems with performance, etc.

I had a 1987 Toyota Camry in 1997. It had 219K miles and ran like new, but it was getting low power. One day on the freeway, my CEL light illuminated. I never thought much of it, but someone told me to check for airflow at the tailpipe. It was minimal. I took it to a shop and they checked the "front converter", which on that car came right out of the front of the engine at the exhaust manifolf area. They apparently "beat out" the insides of it, as it had became completely clogged. They were amazed the car was even still running. The car ran like a brand new car after that and was quite powerful. I was amazed, but the car was very loud, because the mufflers on back were bad, but I never knew it because there was no air/exhaust getting to them for me to hear it. I had new mufflers installed and it was quiet and smooth. I sold the car in 1999 to a older gentlemen and to this day nearly 10 years later, I still occasionally see the car going down the road, purring like a kitten.

I simply recommend having the converters checked on your car and if they are bad, just replace them. I think aftermarkets (universals) are available for a much lower price.

Good luck.

Thank you very much. I'm going to hve mine checked tomorrow.

Theyre also covered by MB up to 8 years or 80K since new.

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1980 500SE/AMG Euro
1981 500SEL Euro
1982 380SEL
1983 300TD
1983 500SEC/AMG Euro
1984 500SEC
1984 300TD Euro
1986 190E 2.3-16
1986 190E 2.3
1987 300D
1997 C36 AMG
2003 C320T 4matic

past: 1969 280SE 4.5 | 1978 240D | 1978 300D | 1981 300SD | 1981 300SD | 1982 300CD | 1983 300CD | 1983 300SD | 1983 380SEC | 1984 300D | 1984 300D | 1984 300TD | 1984 500SEL | 1984 300SD | 1985 300D | 1986 300E | 1986 560SEL | 1986 560SEL/Carat | 1987 560SEC | 1991 300D 2.5 | 2006 R350