SL55/63/65/R230 AMG 03 SL55 - Service A? Belt chirp?

Feb 18, 2008 | 01:55 PM

Lincoln

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Joined: Nov 2001

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From: Fort Worth, Tx

97 SL500

03 SL55 - Service A? Belt chirp?

Hi,

I got another 03 SL55 (23K miles) as a demo from the dealership I do some work for. This one is almost identical to the last one I had a few months ago except it has the standard SL500 5 spoke wheels instead of the turbine style (I think the 5 spoke looks much better on this car).

This one needs an A Service. I don't have the manuals for the car yet and would like to know what the A Service includes and about how much this should cost. The belt chirps once almost everytime you apply the gas from a stop or at parking lot speed...does that mean it needs a new belt???

It's a nice example. It has some minor curb rash on the rims and few scuffs under the front bumper but I can't find much else wrong with it. This one seems faster then last one...I wonder if the last did have an IC pump problem as we discussed a few months ago???

Feb 18, 2008 | 05:21 PM

jmf003

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From: Ann Arbor

'03 SL55

Not sure about the A service but the chirp is probably the supercharger clutch engaging. If you search for "chirp" you'll see a range of advice from just live with it to get it replaced under warranty. It would not be replaced as a regular service item, though.

HTH.

Last edited by jmf003; Feb 19, 2008 at 08:21 AM. Reason: Fixed typos

Feb 18, 2008 | 08:57 PM

Cyrusx7

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Benz SL55 AMG, Jag XJR

Oh man, tell me about it. I hear the chirp after going WOT in a gear, shifting at the end and immediately letting off (I just do this under overpasses because it produces the best sound at high RPMs.. music to my ears!), or like you said, right when you apply throttle at parking lot speeds.

Could you please elaborate on the supercharger clutch? Is that similar to a blow off valve?

Feb 18, 2008 | 11:18 PM

IngenereAMG

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From: Arizona

SL55AMG, Ferrari 348, Ferrari Testarossa, Ferrari F40, Ferrari Mondial t, Ducati 916, Indycar

The SC chirp has been with my car from the start. (I have had mine since '03)

It usually engages ~1900rpm. We have dialed it in to engage at ~1400 through our ECU work, which helps to broaden the power band..

As far as service A....It's pretty simple
SL55 Service

‘A’ Service

Interior

1. Warning and indicator lights and interior lighting
2. Windshield wiper/washer, headlight washer system check
3. Reset FSS counter on instrument panel
4. Check battery condition

Wheels and Brakes

1. Check front brake pads
2. Check tires for damage and condition
3. Check tire inflation

Engine Compartment

1. Engine Oil and filter
2. Windshield washer system
3. Brake system
4. Check engine hood hinges

Feb 19, 2008 | 09:35 AM

jmf003

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Joined: Dec 2005

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From: Ann Arbor

'03 SL55

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cyrusx7

...Could you please elaborate on the supercharger clutch? Is that similar to a blow off valve?

In a nutshell, the supercharger has a pulley, a clutch, and a set of internal turbines to compress air. The pulley runs constantly when the engine runs but the internal turbines spin only when the clutch is engaged. At low RPMs, the clutch is disengaged. The clutch engages when the RPM threshold is reached. The chirp occurs when the clutch plate slips slightly during engagement. Once the clutch is fully engaged, the chirp stops.

HTH.