• Welcome to the ElgrandOC forum.

    You will find that the majority of the forum is locked, but do not worry. You can unlock more content by registering to the forum completely free. Sign up is automatic, does not require email confirmation and is instant. Feel free to browse through the sections to see what topics have been covered before you register.
    You can register for an account by CLICKING HERE

    Once you have registered, you will unlock more of the forum content. You will not unlock all of the content until you have reached 10 posts. This is to give you an opportunity to chat to existing members and help to integrate you into the forum community.
    We are a friendly and helpful community and there is a wealth of infomation contained within the forum. Please feel free to register, introduce yourself and get to know your fellow members.

    Feel free to look at the Frequently Asked Questions section, the Meets/Events section and the Competition Section without having to register.
    We look forward to getting to know you and help you with any questions or problemd you have with your Elgrand.

LIST OF ACTIONS REGARDING E51/E52 CATALYTIC CONVERTER ISSUES

Mrmick said:
I've had the rear cats replaced on my 2004 3.5 ( just reached 100k) with a decat set of pipes about 3 years ago and I'm getting a rattling sound which sounds like it might be from one of the front cats but I can't get underneath to try and find out if this is so.The rattling seems to die down above 2k rpm . Is there a way to check if indeed a cat is rattling and if so would it be worth having the front cats de cored and putting on the rears which were removed previously?
I'm supposed to be going to Wales this weekend and I'm a tad concerned about hitting the motorway .
Click to expand...
Probably just a corroded mount on heat shield but as you say it’s hard to tell difference from a loose bit of cat core without it being up on a ramp.
 
Mrmick said:
I've had the rear cats replaced on my 2004 3.5 ( just reached 100k) with a decat set of pipes about 3 years ago and I'm getting a rattling sound which sounds like it might be from one of the front cats but I can't get underneath to try and find out if this is so.The rattling seems to die down above 2k rpm . Is there a way to check if indeed a cat is rattling and if so would it be worth having the front cats de cored and putting on the rears which were removed previously?
I'm supposed to be going to Wales this weekend and I'm a tad concerned about hitting the motorway .
Click to expand...
I have similar at low revs. Comes in around 1500 and goes at 2000. Only audible when driving though and not just revving. It's a heat shield on a front cat. Driving me mad...
 
For Options 3 and 4, can anyone recommend where to buy the aftermarket CATS and exhaust?
 
So 100,00 miles, low exhaust emissions on mot, spent all day, taking off, inspecting and putting back on, picture of health, perfect.
Booked in for cat back shiny stuff,16th.
 
I'm booked in for a LPG conversion shortly so don't need the cats anymore to pass emissions test. Can someone tell me if they can be removed and replaced with a full system manifold back with no cats, or do you have to have cats (de-cored originals or new aftermarket) in order to pass MOT?

I have heard MOT testers failing if they know cats have been removed or de-cored, but I want to know if the fact the car will be presented as LPG changes that?

Thanks
 
chrisbrown175 said:
I'm booked in for a LPG conversion shortly so don't need the cats anymore to pass emissions test. Can someone tell me if they can be removed and replaced with a full system manifold back with no cats, or do you have to have cats (de-cored originals or new aftermarket) in order to pass MOT?

I have heard MOT testers failing if they know cats have been removed or de-cored, but I want to know if the fact the car will be presented as LPG changes that?

Thanks
Click to expand...
My understanding is that they can. Not done this myself my front cats were decored when I had the LPG conversion done, the rears are still in place. At some stage I may get the rears removed as well or just replace the exhaust system.
When I get my first MOT done in a few months I will be leaving some notes for the tester telling him/her that Magnu runs on LPG.

@dognero posted this some time ago regarding options he has no cats at all, he also has a picture somewhere of a broken down cat which killed his engine.

@Reverend RobP posted this which is similar.
 
Weird the MOT testers would do that when they don't bat an eyelid to cars that have complete new stainless steel exhaust systems with sports cats made and fitted.
 
Have a Elgrand Camper conversion - new to us - 2007 3.5L with about 52k miles. Considering LPG but few stations near to us (near Perth) that stock it now. Meantime just thinking about exhaust and cats. I note that www.autojapspares.com do a replacment system with 2 cats. Or the front system with cat and possibly their bypass for the back. On petrol are two cats required if I went for a new system and did not do LPG?
Comment seems to be to decore the front one with LPG.
This is all a bit new to me and although some summaries here are very good I would appreciate comments...
 
The company that sold you it might have a say, it might interfere with the warranty, I think I would check first, or ask them
If a private sale then you can do what you want.
 
Hi all,

Apologies if this has been answered but I'm struggling to find in a search;

I'm looking for an E52 (circa year 2011). I understand it has 3 cats not the 4 in the E51. Should I be decoring one or all of the cats or is the problem non-existent on the E52s?


Many Thanks
 
Reverend RobP said:
Having 're read this entire thread ( https://forum.elgrandoc.uk/threads/...and-the-do-not-remove-rear-cats-debate.18398/ ) again this morning here are my conclusions and the options available of which there are at least half a dozen. Rough costs are an estimate on people's postings throughout the forum. So please dont abuse me if some are slightly inaccurate!!! No agenda as I don't even own an e51 so completely impartial take on the matter.

Option 1.
Remove/decore the rear cats. Cost £100
Pros- cheap and easy. Van down time = a couple of hours.
Cons- not a 100% safe fix, and could still have future problems from front cats blocking themselves.

Option 2.
Remove/decore the front cats leaving the rears. Cost £400
Pros- eliminates chance of cat break down and blockage. Still a reasonable price.
Cons- more difficult to do, greater difficulty finding someone to carry out the work. Emissions feed back unknown. Van down time = 1 day

Option 3.
Remove/decore both front and rear cats and replace with aftermarket cats down stream. Cost £900
Pros- completely eliminates risk of old cats disintegrating. Healthy emmisions.
Cons- more expensive, very, very slim chance aftermarket cat could disintegrate in future. Van down time = 1 day.

Option 4.
Complete new stainless exhaust system with aftermarket cats. Cost £ 1200-1700
Pros- removes risk of original cat disintegration, sound lovely will last a long time.
Cons- more expensive. Very, very slim chance of cat failure. Van down time = 1 day

Option 5.
Lpg install. With full cat removal. Cost £2000+
Pros- eliminates any possibility of cat failure, cheaper fuel for future use. No emission worries at MOT as tested on lpg not petrol.
Cons- more expensive process, future lpg servicing costs, not all systems/setups are perfect causing possibility of other mechanical issues. Van down time = 3/4 days. Plus delivery/accommodation costs during process.

Option 6.
Carry on as you are with whatever process you've already done or not done.
Pros- live in a world of bliss and worry about what if's later. And enjoy life and your Elgrand.
Cons- your car could (But might not) breakdown at any moment. Expensive repair bill (£2.5k) or scrap value only.

Do with this what you will. The info is out there for anyone to read and make an informed decision on how, why, or what you want to do to extend the life of an Elgrand.
Don't think this discussion will ever go away, so long as people are still buying elgrands and not doing their homework on them.
Click to expand...
Thanks for the great and succinct summary! Still working out my best option.
 
MrSimmo said:
Hi all,

Apologies if this has been answered but I'm struggling to find in a search;

I'm looking for an E52 (circa year 2011). I understand it has 3 cats not the 4 in the E51. Should I be decoring one or all of the cats or is the problem non-existent on the E52s?


Many Thanks
Click to expand...
I would also be keen to know this!
 
I went for option 1 about 8 months ago. No issues to date, and passed mot with no issue.👌
 
Hi guys, this might sound like a bit of a stupid question but is there any way to check if the cats been decored without removing the exhaust. I have a endoscope that connects to my phone. I was just wondering if it would be possible to feed that up the exhaust and take a look. As it's the father in laws car I don't want to be spending all my free time working on his van.
 
You can check fronts by removing O2 sensors and using the scope.
 
Swinter said:
Hi guys, this might sound like a bit of a stupid question but is there any way to check if the cats been decored without removing the exhaust. I have a endoscope that connects to my phone. I was just wondering if it would be possible to feed that up the exhaust and take a look. As it's the father in laws car I don't want to be spending all my free time working on his van.
Click to expand...

Have a look at this thread https://forum.elgrandoc.uk/threads/...-using-obd-live-data-readings-outlined.23518/
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top