Supercharger pulley broke off...freak accident?
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02 C32 AMG
Supercharger pulley broke off...freak accident?
I was driving back from the coast yesterday on the freeway around 6pm and hit some major traffic due to construction. Once things cleared up I tried to get up to speed but noticed the car was lagging horrendously. After about 5 seconds of progressively giving it more throttle there was a quick clunk noise and my dash started to go nuts giving off a battery failure message. I had no idea what was going on, then my A/C went out and I noticed my power steering was no longer functioning.
Due to the traffic congestion it took me about 5 minutes to get off to an exit lane and off the freeway. By the time I pulled into the closest gas station (I'd say about 7-8 minutes after the incident) my dash was indicating my coolant temp was well past the 210 C temp and was instructing me to shut the engine off...Which I did. I popped the hood, coolant was bubbling out of the reservoir, and I noticed the belt drive was completely mangled. After more inspecting I found the culprit resting on top of the only part of the belt still intact, the supercharger pulley. Has this ever been reported as happening before?
I'm praying to God my aftermarket warranty covers this (which it seems it will according to the ppwk), but I can't believe this just randomly happened out of nowhere.
Due to the traffic congestion it took me about 5 minutes to get off to an exit lane and off the freeway. By the time I pulled into the closest gas station (I'd say about 7-8 minutes after the incident) my dash was indicating my coolant temp was well past the 210 C temp and was instructing me to shut the engine off...Which I did. I popped the hood, coolant was bubbling out of the reservoir, and I noticed the belt drive was completely mangled. After more inspecting I found the culprit resting on top of the only part of the belt still intact, the supercharger pulley. Has this ever been reported as happening before?
I'm praying to God my aftermarket warranty covers this (which it seems it will according to the ppwk), but I can't believe this just randomly happened out of nowhere.
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From: East Bay, Bay Area
2002 C32, 2012 S550
Sounds like your S/C pulley seized and made it fall apart like that. It's fairly common for that bearing as well as the idler pulley bearing to fail. When getting it fixed, have them replace the idler bearing at the same time.
If your S/C pulley is no longer useable, consider maybe upgrading to a Code3 pulley as you will get a performance increase with no other modifications needed. Just make sure they have them in stock prior to ordering or you may be waiting a long time.
Good luck!
http://shop.code3performance.com/product.sc?categoryId=3&productId=4
OR BETTER YET, one of our forum veterans has one for sale at a great price:
https://mbworld.org/forums/c32-amg-c55-amg-w203/295875-fs-code3-supercharger-pulley.html#post3503028
If your S/C pulley is no longer useable, consider maybe upgrading to a Code3 pulley as you will get a performance increase with no other modifications needed. Just make sure they have them in stock prior to ordering or you may be waiting a long time.
Good luck!
http://shop.code3performance.com/product.sc?categoryId=3&productId=4
OR BETTER YET, one of our forum veterans has one for sale at a great price:
https://mbworld.org/forums/c32-amg-c55-amg-w203/295875-fs-code3-supercharger-pulley.html#post3503028
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Let's hope you didn't cook the motor. When the coolant bubbles over its usually not a good thing. I wish you the best of luck, I just installed a new idler pulley and I now have the same fear.
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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
pulley
Wow, that is bad. Running the car that long without the waterpump functioning cannot be good. Why did you not pull over immediately? Hopefully the engine is not fried.
Did the pulley give any?? audible warnings? Last year I was in for a service A and my AMG tech reported to me that my SC bearing was starting to make some noise. I head heard it but had not recognised the problem. I bought a C3P pulley with a new bearing for an iproved fix. Also replaced the idler pulley. They normally start to make noises before they fail.
Irish
Did the pulley give any?? audible warnings? Last year I was in for a service A and my AMG tech reported to me that my SC bearing was starting to make some noise. I head heard it but had not recognised the problem. I bought a C3P pulley with a new bearing for an iproved fix. Also replaced the idler pulley. They normally start to make noises before they fail.
Irish
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02 C32 AMG
Thanks for the info/help (and the links Gramma). I didn't hear any signs prior to the incident that gave evidence to it giving out, it's really strange. Unfortunately the portion of the freeway I was on did not have a shoulder lane to pull over onto, so I had to make my way to an exit off the freeway.
Koru- Yes, the pulley literally severed itself from the supercharger. It fell onto a portion of the belt drive...Thankfully it didn't fall off and onto the freeway.
Koru- Yes, the pulley literally severed itself from the supercharger. It fell onto a portion of the belt drive...Thankfully it didn't fall off and onto the freeway.
Last edited by CalebL; May 4, 2009 at 09:39 AM.
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From: East Bay, Bay Area
2002 C32, 2012 S550
Thanks for the info/help (and the links Gramma). I didn't hear any signs prior to the incident that gave evidence to it giving out, it's really strange. Unfortunately the portion of the freeway I was on did not have a shoulder lane to pull over onto, so I had to make my way to an exit off the freeway.
Koru- Yes, the pulley literally severed itself from the supercharger. It fell onto a portion of the belt drive...Thankfully it didn't fall off and onto the freeway.
Koru- Yes, the pulley literally severed itself from the supercharger. It fell onto a portion of the belt drive...Thankfully it didn't fall off and onto the freeway.
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From: East Bay, Bay Area
2002 C32, 2012 S550
Be careful if you do order from Code3 though, I just saw this latest post:
https://mbworld.org/forums/3503735-post839.html
funny enough, you may be better off getting a used one.
https://mbworld.org/forums/3503735-post839.html
funny enough, you may be better off getting a used one.
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2018 E63S AMG, 2003 SLK 230 Sport, 2004 SL 600, 2006 SLK 55 AMG, 1998 E320 Wagon
Be careful if you do order from Code3 though, I just saw this latest post:
https://mbworld.org/forums/3503735-post839.html
funny enough, you may be better off getting a used one.
https://mbworld.org/forums/3503735-post839.html
funny enough, you may be better off getting a used one.
MBWorld Fanatic!
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Posts: 2,000
Likes: 20
From: East Bay, Bay Area
2002 C32, 2012 S550
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a C32 AMG & S-Works Tarmac
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https://mbworld.org/forums/c32-amg-c...er-pulley.html
