Budget Baller

Since buying this car the supercharger has always sounded "funny". It's almost impossible to describe the sound so I created this video in hops I can get some feedback from the experts here

Can someone listen to the video and tell me if this sounds normal?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oAr3aeuGaSs

Budget Baller

107 views... anyone? I can post a better video if needed. Any feedback would be greatly appreciated.

ddtham

I think it sounds normal. If your SC bearing goes bad, you should be able to pick up the rattling sound with a stethoscope (sp?).

Budget Baller

hu, well I suppose thats good to know. Its much more noisy in person, almost sounds like a generator. When I'm inside the car I really don't hear anything. But when I'm in the drive thru etc and the car is against the wall, it looks like a million dollars but sounds rickety. But if that's how it's supposed to sound then cool And thanks for the reply!

mdncn2762

This does not sound normal at all to me. Are you sure its coming from the S/C and not the Alternator or water pump????

ddtham

Mine has that rickety sound too, but when I went to my local MB specialist, he mentioned that it's normal. It hasn't given me any problem despite the fact that mine is modded.

To OP, the best way is to find another C32 in your area and compare them or go to your local indie shop and find out.

jturkel

+1. mine does not sound like this at all. doesn't sound like it's a bearing thing either.

Budget Baller

That's actually exactly what it sounds like now that I think about it, a bad steering wheel pump. BUT the sound is coming from the super charger.

If I place my ear right by the front of the super charger (where there are two screw holes) thats where the noise seems to be coming from.

Newzchspy

Give us some history on the car, how old?? You the original owner?? Mileage? Any modifications??? What kind of SC pulley, crank pulley (185, 178??) Code 3 pulley?? I am trying to differential diagnose here and see if its bearing or the SC???

You can take a piece of hose and try to specifically locate the noise by putting it on the "problem area" and then to your ear (carefully of course) to isolate the sound.

Budget Baller

From head to toe everything in the car is OEM. I just purchased the car about a week ago from a buddy in Texas. I believe he was the 2nd owner. Car has 105k on it.

I can grab a hose to locate the problem area a bit better but I'm 98% sure it's coming from the front of the supercharger. It's much louder in person and easy to located. I took it to my brother who going to mechanic school. He has no experience with superchargers but at first thought it was the pulley. But when we both got closer we agreed it's coming from the inside of the Supercharger towards the front.

If you look on the video you can see 2 holes toward the front of the super charger, from there all the way to the front of the charger is where the noise seems to be coming from.

c32kompressor

That sounds weird to me aswell. Just a guess out of the dark but could the screws in the SC be going bad? Actually now that I think about it have you ever changed the oil in the SC? If not you should do that. I'm planning on doing it as soon as I get the oil from the stealership

gt4awd

Here's why I don't think it's the supercharger internals. The electromagnetic clutch is disengaged during idle, and the rotors are barely moving... You can grab the clutch itself, and stop it from spinning. I guarantee you'll have the same sound. Not sure by just hearing a sound clip what it could be. However, the power steering pump is located in that general area. First step would be to replace the supercharger pulley bearing IMO.

Budget Baller

gt4awd You make a really good point actually. I didn't think of that.

My brother should be back from the college in an hour or so. I'll cruise over to his house and have him take another look.

One more question about the bearings - If I remove the belt and turn the super charger pulley, I'm guessing it would be pretty noticeable if the bearings where bad correct?

gt4awd

Yes, you'll be able to hear the bearing sound by spinning the pulley. Mine is about due for replacement. Getting louder every month...

Budget Baller

Alright well I'll try to report back on this later. I'll probably order some bearings anyway, may as well replace them.

Budget Baller

ok so after looking at the car more today we noticed that the sound is actually more towards the back but definitely coming from the super charger.

It's not the power steering pump he checked that and said it was fine. In a nut shell we're not sure wtf the problem is So we're going to drive it up to the college tomorrow if possible. Apparently one of the guys specializes in Mercedes. So fingers crossed.

I did notice another thing today, when you turn off the car, that same noise is very noticeable. Almost sounds like there are marbles jumping around for about 2 seconds as the motor turns down.

Temp fix for now: turn up the radio.

gt4awd

I would be careful driving it. You're probably hearing a bad valve...

Budget Baller

Well we took the belt off and spun the pulley. Sounded brand new to be honest. (looks new as well) I didn't mention to my brother that gt4 said it could be a bad valve be he said he's sure that isn't the issue.

The sound, whatever it is, still seems to be coming from the Supercharger. Either way, I'm going to try and take it to the tech at the school tomorrow if he has time. Guy is supposedly familiar with C32's

alkrstev

That sc doesnt sound like the one in my car. Hey maybe you should try to replace or add some more supercharger oil to the sc. Maybe it is running on dry? Check out this thread:
https://mbworld.org/forums/c32-amg-c...-their-sc.html

Viet_Amg408

your coupler is bad..bushing is worned

Budget Baller

GREAT thread. Thank you! I'm going to do this regardless. I just rush ordered the Mobile Jet Oil as well as they syringe. We'll see how it goes. Should be here by Friday.

Budget Baller

Not sure where the coupler is but I'm sure my brother will know. I'll send this over to him tomorrow Thanks

I figure if all else fails I"ll just take it to the deal. Sorta like taking your Taxes to the IRS...

Viet_Amg408

Similar to this

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pSsSctYvOoI

Budget Baller

If it does end up being the coupler where is a good place to purchase the replacement part?

Also is there anything I can do to verify it's indeed the coupler? When we took the belt off and spun the SC pulley everything seemed smooth. No sound really.

Viet_Amg408

yea, if your bearing are ok.. then its your supercharger coupler is worned..too much freeplays...

Im planning to do my S soon..

here's a ref: its in Vietnamese Lol

http://www.otofun.net/threads/175311...ger-kompressor

parts:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/SUPER...item5197da13b7