Got the car back. S/C replaced
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Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 288
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From: Ogden, Utah.
C32 ///AMG
Got the car back. S/C replaced
Good grief. After having my car in the shop for nearly 3 weeks I Finlay got it back today.
I was having intermittent power loss with no rhyme or reason to it. Sometimes the car would run fine all day, sometimes I would barely get it out of the driveway and it would start. Sometimes it was 80+ degrees outside, other times it was in the 30's. There were a few other small problems I wanted to have looked at like the heated seats not working properly and a power drain on the battery.
I have an aftermarket warranty that after MUCH deliberation with the mechanic, Finlay agreed to cover it all. Well, almost all of it. I had to pay for a new EGR hose. It was cracked.
He replaced the super charger, seat control modules and both lower seat heaters. Which, by the way, don't feel right now because they aren't broken in yet.
So, I go and pick it up today. I drove it around town for about 20 min. then jumped on the freeway. Pulling onto the on-ramp, same problem. Power loss. ARrrgggg... frustrating. So, in a couple days I am going to take it back to the shop.
I know the IC pump has been a source of problems for many of us but he didn't think there was anything wrong with it. Please forgive me for my ignorance because I am NO mechanic, but if the IC pump is failing doesn't the car run hot? I keep a close eye on the temp but it never rises. The power cuts out even if the car is cold and it's only 30 degrees outside. So I know it's not a heat soak problem.
Anyhow, back to the shop it goes.
I was having intermittent power loss with no rhyme or reason to it. Sometimes the car would run fine all day, sometimes I would barely get it out of the driveway and it would start. Sometimes it was 80+ degrees outside, other times it was in the 30's. There were a few other small problems I wanted to have looked at like the heated seats not working properly and a power drain on the battery.
I have an aftermarket warranty that after MUCH deliberation with the mechanic, Finlay agreed to cover it all. Well, almost all of it. I had to pay for a new EGR hose. It was cracked.
He replaced the super charger, seat control modules and both lower seat heaters. Which, by the way, don't feel right now because they aren't broken in yet.
So, I go and pick it up today. I drove it around town for about 20 min. then jumped on the freeway. Pulling onto the on-ramp, same problem. Power loss. ARrrgggg... frustrating. So, in a couple days I am going to take it back to the shop.
I know the IC pump has been a source of problems for many of us but he didn't think there was anything wrong with it. Please forgive me for my ignorance because I am NO mechanic, but if the IC pump is failing doesn't the car run hot? I keep a close eye on the temp but it never rises. The power cuts out even if the car is cold and it's only 30 degrees outside. So I know it's not a heat soak problem.
Anyhow, back to the shop it goes.
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Joined: May 2006
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From: Southern Cal
a C32 AMG & S-Works Tarmac
Wow, they replaced the S/C when all it might be is a $350 I/C pump (possibly)? Consider yourself fortunate to have gotten a $7500 S/C replacement under warranty.
If the pump is going out, you will NOT see any rise in temps on your gauges. What is getting hotter is the IAT, or the air at the intake to the S/C. Once the air temps reach a set temp, the S/C will shut off to protect the engine. When my pump went out, the only symptom was the lawn tractor-like performance (off and on). The first time I took the car in, I told them I thought it was the pump. They checked it and said no codes were thrown so the pump was fine. Wrong! A few days later, on an average 70 degree day, I was chugging up the hill to my home. I took it back and, lo-and-behold, the pump was dead. They replaced it and everything has been great since. Outside temps can be deceiving with this whole pump thing. It is more about the way you have been driving the car that day.
I'd bet that they will confirm a dying pump on your car. Your warranty company will have paid your dealer an arm and a leg for a new charger for no good reason and your dealer will be rubbing his hands together hoping for another mark to wheel up to the drive.
If the pump is going out, you will NOT see any rise in temps on your gauges. What is getting hotter is the IAT, or the air at the intake to the S/C. Once the air temps reach a set temp, the S/C will shut off to protect the engine. When my pump went out, the only symptom was the lawn tractor-like performance (off and on). The first time I took the car in, I told them I thought it was the pump. They checked it and said no codes were thrown so the pump was fine. Wrong! A few days later, on an average 70 degree day, I was chugging up the hill to my home. I took it back and, lo-and-behold, the pump was dead. They replaced it and everything has been great since. Outside temps can be deceiving with this whole pump thing. It is more about the way you have been driving the car that day.
I'd bet that they will confirm a dying pump on your car. Your warranty company will have paid your dealer an arm and a leg for a new charger for no good reason and your dealer will be rubbing his hands together hoping for another mark to wheel up to the drive.
Last edited by ScottW911; Nov 27, 2007 at 06:50 PM.
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2007
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From: Ogden, Utah.
C32 ///AMG
So, What is getting hotter is the IAT, or the air at the intake to the S/C.
But even thought it's cold outside and the car really hasn't even had a chance to warm up it could still shut down the supercharger? While everything is still cold? Then randomly start working again?
But even thought it's cold outside and the car really hasn't even had a chance to warm up it could still shut down the supercharger? While everything is still cold? Then randomly start working again?
Super Moderator Alumni
Joined: May 2006
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From: Southern Cal
a C32 AMG & S-Works Tarmac
So, What is getting hotter is the IAT, or the air at the intake to the S/C.
But even thought it's cold outside and the car really hasn't even had a chance to warm up it could still shut down the supercharger? While everything is still cold? Then randomly start working again?
But even thought it's cold outside and the car really hasn't even had a chance to warm up it could still shut down the supercharger? While everything is still cold? Then randomly start working again?
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Joined: Mar 2006
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From: Ohio
...
it is your I/C pump based on your description...most dealerships hire parts changers now, not true technicians with trouble-shooting abilities... 
i can send you a new pump and i bet your S/C never shuts down again...
i can send you a new pump and i bet your S/C never shuts down again...
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2007
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From: Ogden, Utah.
C32 ///AMG
The random part is quite characteristic of the I/C pump failure. The fact that the car is not warm is curious. Am I correct in my understanding that it is doing this before the car warms up sometimes? If so, is this first drive of the day or after the car has been run and parked for a while?
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C32 AMG
QUESTION FOR CHAZZ: When they replaced your seat bottoms, did they use a leather that matches the leather you have? I had the same replacement and the leather seat bottom is a "flat" texture while the original seat is shinier.
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Although the Q was not directed to me, I just had my drivers seat bottom replaced also. I can't tell a difference on mine other than the leather is super soft in comparison to all of the older leather. I'll have to look at the texture and shine since you mentioned it.
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Good point on the pump also concerning the warranty. Too bad you can't have benz give you a $$ credit so you could get that pump, or try to work out a deal just to buy it and have them replace it with that unit under warranty somehow-
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C32 AMG
I want to hear Chazz's answer b/c he's got a 2002 like me. It's possible (likely) that the leather texture changed in later years and they gave me the newer leather that is a mismatch.
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From: Oakland, California
07 E550, 02 C32, 91 300E
Yeah my butt heater stopped working this year too. I'll probably have it replaced this summer when I have time (gonna get good use out of the extended warranty). But I want to know also if they use a different type of leather. Maybe it is just because the new leather hasn't been "butt-worn" like the old one?
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C32 AMG
Yeah my butt heater stopped working this year too. I'll probably have it replaced this summer when I have time (gonna get good use out of the extended warranty). But I want to know also if they use a different type of leather. Maybe it is just because the new leather hasn't been "butt-worn" like the old one?
Thread Starter
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From: Ogden, Utah.
C32 ///AMG
The other thing is that the leather on the drivers seat is a bit more textured than the passenger seat. It has a little more grain to it. The passenger seat is butter smooth. Oh well. Luck of the draw when It comes to leather I guess.
