Guys I need suggestions
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 350
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From: Stamford, CT
2003 C230
Guys I need suggestions
I got the car back from the dealer last week. They did an alignment to fix the pulling issue but they said the car was aligned ok already and gave me the usual "follows the crown of the road" line.
They could not reproduce the thumping noise from the trunk which I still hear but now it definitely sounds more like detonation in the exhaust. Only happens when stopped on a incline in neutral with the foot on the brake.
The burning smell, they said they did not get it and they checked for leaks but found none. The smell now has diminished greatly and only comes on after 5-10 miles of 80mph highway cruise and then stopping at the exit ramp. I don't smell it while crusing or after a few minutes past the exit. It only smells right after the 80mph run is over.
Any suggestions?
Thanks
CZ
They could not reproduce the thumping noise from the trunk which I still hear but now it definitely sounds more like detonation in the exhaust. Only happens when stopped on a incline in neutral with the foot on the brake.
The burning smell, they said they did not get it and they checked for leaks but found none. The smell now has diminished greatly and only comes on after 5-10 miles of 80mph highway cruise and then stopping at the exit ramp. I don't smell it while crusing or after a few minutes past the exit. It only smells right after the 80mph run is over.
Any suggestions?
Thanks
CZ
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Joined: Nov 2001
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From: Vancouver Island, B.C. Canada
2005 smart cabrio; 2008 Mercedes-Benz B 200
ideas
If your exhaust was backfiring, which you seem to be saying, the cat would melt down first and the car would run like hell as the O2 sensor would be whacked out. It's not exhaust farts, can we agree on that?
If it's a sedan, perhaps your subwoofer is grounding itself? Or could it be backlash in the drivetrain? Something loose in the trunk (a tool for the spare tire, perhaps)?
Get the dealer to give you the printout of the 4 wheels' alignment as tested along with the factory specifications with tolerances. Even if the alignment is correctly set, having the documentation will be good baseline data.
The burning smell is something I get after a quick blast at 100 MPH in the C 230 K, but I only notice it when I stop the car right afterwards (I live 200 m from a freeway entrance). It would be paint/factory coatings on the engine getting very hot. Smells like that should, as you say, diminish with time and eventually disappear entirely.
To me it sounds as though your only real issue is the thump. That one is worthy of further investigation, for sure.
Yes, and try to be more on topic when posting a new topic
If it's a sedan, perhaps your subwoofer is grounding itself? Or could it be backlash in the drivetrain? Something loose in the trunk (a tool for the spare tire, perhaps)?
Get the dealer to give you the printout of the 4 wheels' alignment as tested along with the factory specifications with tolerances. Even if the alignment is correctly set, having the documentation will be good baseline data.
The burning smell is something I get after a quick blast at 100 MPH in the C 230 K, but I only notice it when I stop the car right afterwards (I live 200 m from a freeway entrance). It would be paint/factory coatings on the engine getting very hot. Smells like that should, as you say, diminish with time and eventually disappear entirely.
To me it sounds as though your only real issue is the thump. That one is worthy of further investigation, for sure.
Yes, and try to be more on topic when posting a new topic
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 350
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From: Stamford, CT
2003 C230
Mike, thanks, more inside.
The smell issue sounds very similar to yours so I'll let it go for now. If you find more info on the smell, I would appreciate it if you share it with me.
The thump happens while stationary so I don't see how it can be drivetrain or items in the trunk. The tip of the exhaust looks black. Is that normal?
CZ
The thump happens while stationary so I don't see how it can be drivetrain or items in the trunk. The tip of the exhaust looks black. Is that normal?
CZ
Out Of Control!!
Joined: Jul 2002
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Re: Re: Mike, thanks, more inside.
Originally posted by Matt230K
Only if you don't clean it.
Only if you don't clean it.
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From: Ohio
2010 C300 4matic
Actually, now that I think about it, he doesn't even have chrome because he's got a sedan. So it's going to be dark no matter what. I don't know what BMW has, but why would they even have chrome if it's not shiny?
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MBWorld Fanatic!
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From: Vancouver Island, B.C. Canada
2005 smart cabrio; 2008 Mercedes-Benz B 200
Re: Things that go bump in the night
Originally posted by czachari
The smell issue sounds very similar to yours so I'll let it go for now. If you find more info on the smell, I would appreciate it if you share it with me.
The smell issue sounds very similar to yours so I'll let it go for now. If you find more info on the smell, I would appreciate it if you share it with me.
Originally posted by czachari
The thump happens while stationary so I don't see how it can be drivetrain or items in the trunk. The tip of the exhaust looks black. Is that normal?
The thump happens while stationary so I don't see how it can be drivetrain or items in the trunk. The tip of the exhaust looks black. Is that normal?
Another possibility (besides the subwoofer) is some sort of screw-up with the fuel lift pump in the tank. If it sucks up a small airlock it could thump, depending on how well it and the tank are isolated from the bodyshell. How frequent is the noise?
If it's fairly regular, take the service manager for a ride and ask him to confirm that he hears it. If the dealer is not helping, contact the regional service representative and do the same. If it's infrequent, give the car to the service manager for a more extended time.
It can't be the fuel system. The car would be throwing codes all over the place if it was backfiring, run like hell and the cat would be clogged as its honeycomb melts. No way...
Some carbon build up on/in an exhaust tip is normal, not to worry.
Last edited by Mike T.; May 27, 2003 at 12:03 AM.
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Member
Joined: Mar 2003
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From: Dublin, CA
2003 C230 Kompressor Sport Sedan/2008 M3 Coupe M-DCT/1996 328i (Gone)/1988 190E 2.3 (Gone)
Re: Re: Re: Mike, thanks, more inside.
Originally posted by vraa
What about black chrome or something like that? I know BMW has something like that, it's like darkened chrome so it's not flashy and stuff. I just don't know the name of it.
What about black chrome or something like that? I know BMW has something like that, it's like darkened chrome so it's not flashy and stuff. I just don't know the name of it.
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 350
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From: Stamford, CT
2003 C230
Mike T. The dealer now says it's something with the 2 fuel pumps. They did not give me any details yet. You mentioned something about air in the fuel pump and that it would make thump? Anyway to fix that?
Thanks
CZ
Thanks
CZ
