Sudden problems with the C32
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 226
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From: San Francisco, CA
W203 C32 AMG, W124 E300D
Damn i hope it isnt either, its bad enough im un-employed and am draining my savings for this car ugh!!
Any ideas why this would have happened? The car was running fine right up until i got off the exit home.
Any ideas why this would have happened? The car was running fine right up until i got off the exit home.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 2,000
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From: East Bay, Bay Area
2002 C32, 2012 S550
Crossing my fingers for you!
Geez.....good luck. I know my car isn't nearly as bad shape as yours, but mine isn't working well right now either and just want it to run reliably at this point.
Wishing you good luck brother.
Geez.....good luck. I know my car isn't nearly as bad shape as yours, but mine isn't working well right now either and just want it to run reliably at this point.
Wishing you good luck brother.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 1,194
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From: Diamond Bar & Anaheim, CA
2003 C-Class Sportcoupe
After reading through the entire thread it sounds like your car was detonating, which accounts for the engine shake and poor performance/sluggish acceleration. The ECU shuts off the supercharger to protect the engine. Loud bang and no start means piston damage unfortunately. Black smoke out the exhaust is probably all the unburnt gas going out the exhaust pipe. They will have to check the compression on each cylinder to see which ones are broken, then pull the cylinder heads off and look for the broken piston.
Did you ever get the AIR/FUEL checked? Might have been running lean. If your car was running lean beforehand then you should have babied the car and not overrev the engine. Sorry about the problems, but it seems like everybody has them nowadays.
Did you ever get the AIR/FUEL checked? Might have been running lean. If your car was running lean beforehand then you should have babied the car and not overrev the engine. Sorry about the problems, but it seems like everybody has them nowadays.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Dec 2007
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From: Corona, CA
03 g35 coupe...........02 c32 Sold
damn that sucks..if its the pistons. Since we're talking about changing out pistons. Since our super chargers max out at around 17-22psi. I was wondering has anyone thought getting more power by using higher compression pistons while keeping the same psi.
For example, our c32's come with a 9.0:1 compression, anyone thought of upping it to 10:1 or 10:5:1 compression. Or is it too much for pump gas?
I know a hondas run 10:5:1 like b18c1 or 11.0:1 on the k20a2 compression and net 300whp just on 4-6psi with turbo since the compression is so high already.
For example, our c32's come with a 9.0:1 compression, anyone thought of upping it to 10:1 or 10:5:1 compression. Or is it too much for pump gas?
I know a hondas run 10:5:1 like b18c1 or 11.0:1 on the k20a2 compression and net 300whp just on 4-6psi with turbo since the compression is so high already.
Last edited by TemjinX2; Mar 6, 2009 at 05:23 AM.
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Super Member
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 925
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From: Maine
Not an AMG :(
....it sounds like your car was detonating, which accounts for the engine shake and poor performance/sluggish acceleration....
....Loud bang and no start means piston damage unfortunately....
....Black smoke out the exhaust is probably all the unburnt gas going out the exhaust pipe....
Did you ever get the AIR/FUEL checked? Might have been running lean. If your car was running lean beforehand then you should have babied the car and not overrev the engine....
....Loud bang and no start means piston damage unfortunately....
....Black smoke out the exhaust is probably all the unburnt gas going out the exhaust pipe....
Did you ever get the AIR/FUEL checked? Might have been running lean. If your car was running lean beforehand then you should have babied the car and not overrev the engine....
+1
What mileage is on your motor? A stock motor can fail all on its own.
However, are you running an aftermarket tune or any other aftermarket performance modifications?
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 5,034
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From: Corona, CA
03 g35 coupe...........02 c32 Sold
Ours are already forged since its built with FI in mind.
I looked it up..the compression ratio on a c320 is 10.0:1.
I search some of the past posts..looks like a c320 with a kleeman running around 4-6psi is netting 264rwhp.
Is there a way to calculate hp just from compression ratio?
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 226
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From: San Francisco, CA
W203 C32 AMG, W124 E300D
Well last look at the odometer i had 127,666 miles....666 and the motor blew hmmm....
The only mods i have on it is the Code 3 pulley and intake plus no cats. But the pulley had been on the car for less then 200 miles. And i never over-revved the engine when i had the mods put on. For the most part i hardly drove the car since I got unemployed mostly ive been riding my motorcycles.
Ive only started driving the car because of the rain, and thats when i put the 200 miles on the pulley. And because of the rain i didnt drive it hard.
So far the mechanic is just doing diagnostic work so im waiting to hear from him.
The only mods i have on it is the Code 3 pulley and intake plus no cats. But the pulley had been on the car for less then 200 miles. And i never over-revved the engine when i had the mods put on. For the most part i hardly drove the car since I got unemployed mostly ive been riding my motorcycles.
Ive only started driving the car because of the rain, and thats when i put the 200 miles on the pulley. And because of the rain i didnt drive it hard.
So far the mechanic is just doing diagnostic work so im waiting to hear from him.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 5,034
Likes: 6
From: Corona, CA
03 g35 coupe...........02 c32 Sold
Well last look at the odometer i had 127,666 miles....666 and the motor blew hmmm....
The only mods i have on it is the Code 3 pulley and intake plus no cats. But the pulley had been on the car for less then 200 miles. And i never over-revved the engine when i had the mods put on. For the most part i hardly drove the car since I got unemployed mostly ive been riding my motorcycles.
Ive only started driving the car because of the rain, and thats when i put the 200 miles on the pulley. And because of the rain i didnt drive it hard.
So far the mechanic is just doing diagnostic work so im waiting to hear from him.
The only mods i have on it is the Code 3 pulley and intake plus no cats. But the pulley had been on the car for less then 200 miles. And i never over-revved the engine when i had the mods put on. For the most part i hardly drove the car since I got unemployed mostly ive been riding my motorcycles.
Ive only started driving the car because of the rain, and thats when i put the 200 miles on the pulley. And because of the rain i didnt drive it hard.
So far the mechanic is just doing diagnostic work so im waiting to hear from him.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 1,614
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From: sf
Merc power
Well last look at the odometer i had 127,666 miles....666 and the motor blew hmmm....
The only mods i have on it is the Code 3 pulley and intake plus no cats. But the pulley had been on the car for less then 200 miles. And i never over-revved the engine when i had the mods put on. For the most part i hardly drove the car since I got unemployed mostly ive been riding my motorcycles.
Ive only started driving the car because of the rain, and thats when i put the 200 miles on the pulley. And because of the rain i didnt drive it hard.
So far the mechanic is just doing diagnostic work so im waiting to hear from him.
The only mods i have on it is the Code 3 pulley and intake plus no cats. But the pulley had been on the car for less then 200 miles. And i never over-revved the engine when i had the mods put on. For the most part i hardly drove the car since I got unemployed mostly ive been riding my motorcycles.
Ive only started driving the car because of the rain, and thats when i put the 200 miles on the pulley. And because of the rain i didnt drive it hard.
So far the mechanic is just doing diagnostic work so im waiting to hear from him.
Hope the damage is minmal, gl man.
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Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 3,466
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From: Southern Cali (Ontario)
if the initial issue was the misfires due to plugs and wires ... I don't see what the pulley being an issue.
I would say, if you owe money on the car have the bank repo it. specially since you are not working.
if you paid it off, then try to find used parts or part out with the car.
C32's are POS when it comes to reliability. If it was not for the strong power it has for its size and weight, and the fact I can't unloaded.. it would of been gone!
I would say, if you owe money on the car have the bank repo it. specially since you are not working.
if you paid it off, then try to find used parts or part out with the car.
C32's are POS when it comes to reliability. If it was not for the strong power it has for its size and weight, and the fact I can't unloaded.. it would of been gone!
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 226
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From: San Francisco, CA
W203 C32 AMG, W124 E300D
Actually now that I think back i put more then 200miles on the C3 setup, and may have over-revved the engine! If you guys remember that thread where i race an Audi S4, I had the C3 setup on the car but im not sure if i over-revved the engine. Either way i wasnt babying the car then.
But anyway, the car is paid off so no worries there. But as far as what to do with it if the engine is indeed toast I may just find a spare engine or part it out.
Either way ill probably get rid of it and get another car.
But anyway, the car is paid off so no worries there. But as far as what to do with it if the engine is indeed toast I may just find a spare engine or part it out.
Either way ill probably get rid of it and get another car.
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 226
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From: San Francisco, CA
W203 C32 AMG, W124 E300D
Thanks though!
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Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 396
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From: Morehead, KY USA
SLK55 AMG, E320 BlueTec, ML350, (formerly) C32 AMG, MR2 Turbo, HD-FLH-FSE, BMW R100RS, Ducati M900
C32 Engine
Check the coils. I had a similar issue with my old C36. I was driving home and suddenly lost power. The engine was shaking and would stall at idle. It would start but barely had enough power to pull itself. I was very close to home so, I limped in and called the dealer, who came and got it on a flatbed and took it in.
Diagnosis was one of the three coils had failed stopping spark to two of the six cylinders. Replacement of the coil fixed the problem completely. If you drive it far like that the unburned gas in the non-firing cylinders may build up in the exhaust system and then ignite with a loud backfire and lots of black smoke from all the scheisse getting spit out the back. Sound familiar?
By the way, my ECU threw a misfire code on this. Now, keep driving it like this long enough and all the unburned gas in the dead cylinders will wash all the lubrication off those cylinder walls and score the cylinders, pistons and rings. Long term that will show up as higher oil consumption or worst case, loss of compression. I drove mine about 4-5 miles with no ill effects at all. And in 102k miles it never ever used one drop of Mobil-1.
If the backfire was strong enough, the shockwave into the engine "might" damage something but it is not likely. If you did not drive it far like this, you might get lucky and fix the problem and go scot free. The same issue might also be caused by wireing harness problems to the ignition components. I could imagine lots of other bad to worse scenerios. Usually the problem is something simple. Keep us posted. The ECU codes are the key. Read the codes. Good Luck.
Irish
Diagnosis was one of the three coils had failed stopping spark to two of the six cylinders. Replacement of the coil fixed the problem completely. If you drive it far like that the unburned gas in the non-firing cylinders may build up in the exhaust system and then ignite with a loud backfire and lots of black smoke from all the scheisse getting spit out the back. Sound familiar?
By the way, my ECU threw a misfire code on this. Now, keep driving it like this long enough and all the unburned gas in the dead cylinders will wash all the lubrication off those cylinder walls and score the cylinders, pistons and rings. Long term that will show up as higher oil consumption or worst case, loss of compression. I drove mine about 4-5 miles with no ill effects at all. And in 102k miles it never ever used one drop of Mobil-1.
If the backfire was strong enough, the shockwave into the engine "might" damage something but it is not likely. If you did not drive it far like this, you might get lucky and fix the problem and go scot free. The same issue might also be caused by wireing harness problems to the ignition components. I could imagine lots of other bad to worse scenerios. Usually the problem is something simple. Keep us posted. The ECU codes are the key. Read the codes. Good Luck.
Irish
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 226
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From: San Francisco, CA
W203 C32 AMG, W124 E300D
Thank you irish!
Your situation sounds very similar to mine. From when my engine started miss firing until the loud bang it was 2 blocks so im hoping that didnt do much damage. And from that instant the car didnt even want to start back up so I just had it towed back to the shop.
When i took the car out of the shop it ran perfectly but maybe there was damage being caused during the drive home?
Either way I hope I get a call from the mechanic with good news rather then bad.
Your situation sounds very similar to mine. From when my engine started miss firing until the loud bang it was 2 blocks so im hoping that didnt do much damage. And from that instant the car didnt even want to start back up so I just had it towed back to the shop.
When i took the car out of the shop it ran perfectly but maybe there was damage being caused during the drive home?
Either way I hope I get a call from the mechanic with good news rather then bad.
Thread Starter
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Joined: Apr 2008
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From: San Francisco, CA
W203 C32 AMG, W124 E300D
Bad News
Got confirmation today the engine is toast. The MB SDS tool wouldnt catch any codes nor did it list anything wrong with the car, but after a compression test that confirmed the engine was dead.
My mechanic was telling me that the timing chain was the cause of the problem
So i guess im going to have to look for a new engine
My mechanic was telling me that the timing chain was the cause of the problem
So i guess im going to have to look for a new engine
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 6,213
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LET C32 2002
Got confirmation today the engine is toast. The MB SDS tool wouldnt catch any codes nor did it list anything wrong with the car, but after a compression test that confirmed the engine was dead.
My mechanic was telling me that the timing chain was the cause of the problem
So i guess im going to have to look for a new engine
My mechanic was telling me that the timing chain was the cause of the problem
So i guess im going to have to look for a new engine
Super Member
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 510
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From: san jose, ca
2002 C32 1987 190E 2.3 334K miles and going
Awe Man!! That's just wack. A timing chain?
Could the engine be rebuilt? Or cheaper to swap another motor.
I thought these engines were one of the toughest MB built.
GL on finding a new engine.
Could the engine be rebuilt? Or cheaper to swap another motor.
I thought these engines were one of the toughest MB built.
GL on finding a new engine.
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 226
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From: San Francisco, CA
W203 C32 AMG, W124 E300D
I guess not tough enough.
There is an engine on ebay from a wrecked SLK32 for $3K, but I emailed the guy who has the engine and transmission to see if he will just sell me the engine.
A rebuild is going to be more pricey then a swap, and id rather not invest to much money into this car.
There is an engine on ebay from a wrecked SLK32 for $3K, but I emailed the guy who has the engine and transmission to see if he will just sell me the engine.
A rebuild is going to be more pricey then a swap, and id rather not invest to much money into this car.
