Cats - how long do they live?

[Rich]

Sold my last ride with a new MoT and 92,500 on the clock, all mine.

The fast idle test gave CO 0.30% vol - right on the limit. Lamda was toward the upper end at 1.015 and HC mid-range at 99 ppm vol. Natural idle values were comfortably in the middle.

The service people said 120 -130K miles was no problem for the original cat and couldn't remember changing one on the W210 yet.

Wondered about other people's experience.

- Rich

[Koolvin]

I have had my original one replaced 3 months ago, It was RATLING, it did pass the MOT emissions but the noise was unbearable.

My new aftermarket CAT has started to rattle again this weekend :(

I think short trips kills cats

[Simon]

I thought my CAT had disintegrated recently having driven through a flood. Immediately afterwards I started to hear a rattle. Last weekend I took my car to the exhaust fitters to check, and to my delight it was just the heat shield that had come loose:bannana:

[V12]

Indeed, it is all to do with warming the cat up slowly.

If you hammer your car when cold, the CAT will last a lot less time...;)

[Shude]

Originally posted by V12
Indeed, it is all to do with warming the cat up slowly.

If you hammer your car when cold, the CAT will last a lot less time...;)

So why does my auto box shift really late until the engine temp is up to 80 degress? Allegedly to warm the CAT up quickly!

Can anyone explain that? :)

137,000 miles atm, original CAT still. *touch wood*

[Simon]

My mother ran Fluffy our cat over killing it when I was 10:eek:

She was driving her Morris Minor at the time:cool:

Now we call it the “Moggy Minus":confused:

Just thought I’d share that with you:D

[Brian WH]

Originally posted by Black180
My mother ran Fluffy our cat over killing it when I was 10:eek:


Are yes but how old was the Cat? :D ;)

[V12]

Shude, that is a good point, but im pretty sure its to get the engine upto running temp rather than the cat.

Pushing a cold engine can be very expensive compared to the £700/800 for a new CAT.

BTW, warming the cat up slowly is just something i was told by a exhaust specialist, it has never been proven to me or anything. ;)

[Rich]

Dealer service told me the E320 straight six change point was higher when cold to speed warmup and spare the cat. But the E55 doesn't hang in the lower cogs on warm up, swapping is early & leisurely.

Plus, it returns near identical mpg to the 320, at 23 - 25 overall. OK the vehicle's similar but it still surprises me. Maybe I should try harder! ;)

- Rich