1.8 supercharger, how to tell if it's working?
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2003 w203 1.8 Hatch
1.8 supercharger, how to tell if it's working?
I just bought an 2003 hatch with the 1.8l. There are no engine fault codes and the light is not on. Car runs great and is really quiet. At what circumstances does the super charger engage? Should I be able to hear it? Under light throttle the car isn't what I call peppy. But if you go WOT it pulls really good. Still don't hear anything like a super charger whine.
Sorry if this is a dumb question. I've only had tubro charged cars / trucks and have never owned a Benz nor anything with a supercharger. I guess I cold plum a pressure gauge to it. Or can a scan tool monitor live data and the manifold pressure?
Sorry if this is a dumb question. I've only had tubro charged cars / trucks and have never owned a Benz nor anything with a supercharger. I guess I cold plum a pressure gauge to it. Or can a scan tool monitor live data and the manifold pressure?
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Dec 2006
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From: Toronto, Canada
2019 C300 Wagon; '75 Triumph TR6; previous: 2004 C230 6spd sold after 17 years of driving
you'll know when it is not working. The car will drive like a pig and have a third less power
supercharger runs all the time building pressure hence no lag when you accelerate as opposed to a turbo that only runs when it is getting exhaust pressure.
You might get a whine when you accelerate hard and only at the upper reaches of the rpm
supercharger runs all the time building pressure hence no lag when you accelerate as opposed to a turbo that only runs when it is getting exhaust pressure.
You might get a whine when you accelerate hard and only at the upper reaches of the rpm
Out Of Control!!
Joined: Nov 2001
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From: Westwood, NJ
2004 Civic Si. FWD for the Win!
It's a 2003 C230, they all do.
You won't really hear a difference. You're right on how to find out if it's working - a reader like a scan gauge II will show you, as will a boost gauge. I've got both and it's nice to be able to have instant notification that the sc is doing its job.
You won't really hear a difference. You're right on how to find out if it's working - a reader like a scan gauge II will show you, as will a boost gauge. I've got both and it's nice to be able to have instant notification that the sc is doing its job.
Thread Starter
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2003 w203 1.8 Hatch
Thanks everyone. I think it's working since the car is not a total pig. But I didn't buy it for speed. It's for MPG. I was told this model can get 32 mpg highway which is way better than my F250 (14 mpg) or our CX-9 (18 mpg). I'll grab my friends scanner just to be sure. I'm in the process of going through it to make sure it's road worthy. Swaybar links are bad, of course.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 1,105
Likes: 11
From: Toronto, Canada
2019 C300 Wagon; '75 Triumph TR6; previous: 2004 C230 6spd sold after 17 years of driving
you'll be very lucky if it is only swaybar links that need replacing in the front suspension. I have had to replace everything, some things twice now. Underengineered or shoddy manufacturing by LEMFOERDER, not sure which is it but they don't stand the test of time. When all is working it is great. I would say that has been the single area of my car that caused the most problems. Clunks and noises and looseness...right now I am in a lull and everything is working great
if you are replacing swaybar links go for the uprated ones and put in a thicker swaybar, makes a world of difference. I would say this is the cheapest improvement to make the car handle better
if you are replacing swaybar links go for the uprated ones and put in a thicker swaybar, makes a world of difference. I would say this is the cheapest improvement to make the car handle better
