OK - Here's a new one. I have been told, a couple of years ago when MBZ could not figure out the chirp issue on the SL55, they were replacing them as they thought they were a faulty Super Charger. The super chargers were then reportedly stolen and now on the market through e-bay or various sorts. Apparently there was a bulletin that went out from MBZ warning people of bad or defective superchargers being sold in the public market and that these super chargers are truly defective. I have searched the net and could find nothing.

Has anyone ever heard of this story or is it just a myth? I wouldnt put it past MBZ sending this out just to keep people from buying them from the public and not from the dealer...

I am looking at buying one of two on the market but, affraid to if there is any truth to this rumor... Now, with that said both of the people i am talking to purchased them from e-bay and are unaware if they actually work or are defective. They have told me that they have never been installed so, they would not know either. Keep in mind both of these guys sound very credible and i have no reason not to believe what they are telling me however, i can not see taking such a large risk if the rumor, myth or conspiracy theory is true..

Thanks

 

SaMaS is a personal friend of mine and is selling one in the classifieds. I know it's a legit blower that came off an SL55 through a connection he has with a friend who's a Mercedes tech. I know this doesn't answer your question, but it's a good alternative to buying from unknown sources on eBay.

-m

 

why are you buying a replacement SC? what happened to yours? if it's a chirp can't they replace the SC clutch (heard of guys talkin of that sorta thing on posts in other threads)...I know that one common issue is the IC pump which may need to be replaced if the the engine shuts down the SC; but I didn't know that the SC itself could go bad per se and need replacement?? what's the story on that?

is the chirp a charecteristic of some cars but not all? how does it really effect anything and is it something that can develop over time/miles?

 

is the chirp a charecteristic of some cars but not all? how does it really effect anything and is it something that can develop over time/miles?[/quote]


I have heard that the chirp issue is more prevalent in the 03s and 04s, but I’m guessing you have not had any problems with yours. My 03 started chirping at about 40,000 miles. I was out of warranty and MB said it is not a big deal, just a nuisance. By the way, they quoted $1,800 to install a new SC clutch.

I lived with the chirp for about 10 months and then the SC bearing failed. It is hard to say if the chirp led to the bearing failure, but I think it could have been a factor. I had the guy that does most of my mods install a new SC clutch for less than $1,000.

 

Thanks everyone for the replies - My SC problem was not "chirp" related. I threw a bearing on the front coupling which then caused an internal seal to blow also, which injected grease into the intake thus blue smoke at high speed and revs...

So, if you ever see an occasional blue smoke when you romp on it - it may be your SC. The bearings are sealed with a plastic cover so, when the cover goes grease gets sucked into the intake... If this ever happens take a good whif in your throttle body - if it smells like manure your done...

The good news it seems like i am the only lucky one for this too happen to. So, it doesnt seem to be the car but, just my crummy luck...

I have order a rebuilt from MBZ which is one the way to my mechanic... I will let everyone know how that works out.

 

dang AhMyGawd that sucks with the seals issue, keep us posted bro! Look on the bright side; she'll run like new when it's done

Cal1...did your SC bearing failure and subsequent clutch replacement elimate the pesky 'chirp'?

I don't have a chirp but I want to know what to do in case one developes; and if it leads to bearing failure (don't know that yet? so potentially but not proven I guess)...is the only reason to replace the SC clutch a failed bearing?

 

Absolutely, the SC chirp is gone and the SC engagement is smoother as well. The only thing that chirps now are the tires.

Unless the "chirp" is driving you crazy, I don't see it as a reason to replace the SC clutch and I am sure there were other factors that contributed to the bearing failure.

 

OK - Here is my update... (Long but, hopefully helpful)

So, I had a shop replace my SC clutch bearing. They installed it - ran the car and found an internal noise. So they removed the SC and tried to open it up to see what they could find. That’s were this job turned into a huge mess.

They pried, torched and hammered on the SC all to no avail. So, they decided to send the SC to PSE in Oklahoma. They received it and determined that the SC was so damaged that they would have to do a complete rebuild for $5,500++... This guy ED at PSE is very knowledgably of our SC and has done many. I would recommend you start with him - then make your own decisions. (They are very Pricey - but, sound as if they are worth it)

He walked through the whole process of the re-build including the fact that the SC has to be baked at 400 degrees, in order to open the case as, the manufacture uses some sort of sealer that requires you to do it this way or you will never get it apart.

So, my search began for a new or used SC on the internet. I found a few but, was warned (By ED at PSE) that there may be some on the market that were scheduled to be destroyed by MBZ but, stolen and now on the internet for sale (Which I was not sure if he was just trying to scare me or it is actually true - I could not find "any" evidence that this was a true story).

I spoke to a few people who had them for sale who all seemed like nice people but, I was still Leary as to the above and no one had these SC installed so, not sure if they work. My search continued and found a contact who works at a MBZ dealership - I bought a MBZ re-manufactured SC with 1 yr warranty for less than the amount on the internet.

The SC was sent and installed... I just got the car back on Saturday and it runs great. Incidentally, there is absolutely "NO" chirp with this new SC...

Lessons learned -
At the earliest sign of your SC bearing going out (noise or visual signs) get it fixed right away - if the bearing goes out it could damage the internal bearings which is then a very pricey fix...

If, you every see black smoke coming from your exhaust during fast burst or hard driving - this could be an internal seal in the SC which, is sucking in grease or fluid into the intake system... This is also bad news... If you remove the throttle body and smell "manure" - there's your sign...

Some of the things you need to know if deciding to go with PSE is that they require you to use their own shipping methods which are expensive, sending and receiving. I spent close to $500 just getting the SC back to AZ...

If my MBZ contact will allow me to publish his name and contact info I would recommend you all use him for parts as he is great to deal with and will get you the answers you need...

Also, when ordering a re-man SC you will have to get the new AMG builder badge as the new SC does not come with one. You may be able to get the old one off but, be careful. The new badge is $100...

So, the entire job cost me about $4,000 and about 2 ½ months...

Good luck - hope you have learned something from my misadventures...

 

WOW swounds like quite an ordeal...glad that you finally got it resolved...

can you post (or PM me if you'd rather) the info for PSE and your MBZ guy. Just in case anything like this happens to me I'd like to be ready with a strategy for solution!

 

Here is PSE's info... I am still waiting for my contact to reply to my request to post his contact info...

http://www.pse.us

 

I'm getting a clanging noise from the front of the engine when the engine is cold. Once the engine warms up the sound is gone. If the engine is warm and I park it for an hour and restart the sound is not there.

I got a mechanic stetoscope but can not source the sound from the supercharger or belt tensioners.

My dealership went bankrupt in January and a new dealer has just opened so I'm going to try and get into see them.

When your bearing went did it make a noise all the time?

 

that symptom you descibe, a noise when cold that goes away when hot is also associated with exhast manifold cracks, you may want to look into that as well.

 

Dan:

Good to hear that you got the car running again.... I like all our clients to be on the road and grinning from ear to ear. Are you going to make it out to our Cars & Coffee one of these Saturdays?

 

For the last couple of days my SL55 also has a similar sound when is cold.
Engine performance-still strong, no engine check lights.

Anyone else with similar problem?

 

Thank's for the suggestion. Is there a way to dianose this problem without removing the engine.

 

I'm not a mechanic, I'm an engineer so the advise I'm giving you is just a suggestion and in no way a professional diagnosis of your car which I haven't seen, driven, or looked under the hood. That said...You may need to inspect the exhaust manifold; it may need to be removed off the car...ussually cracks in metal, be it various grades and of steel for example, exhibit this sort of behaivior; cool the metal expands creating the passage; as it warms the metal contracts with heat causing a seal - so you don't hear the sound anymore.

 

I wonder if I would hear the noise coming from the manifold with the stetoscope, although it does sound like it's coming from the front of the engine?????

 

Ok, I'll say it...
This is the first time I 've heard of metal contracting when heated.
Must be the special Krupp steel used in the manifolds?

 

please read my disclaimer: I'm giving you is just a suggestion and in no way a professional diagnosis of your car which I haven't seen, driven, or looked under the hood.

I am not saying that I am right and absolute. I am saying that I've been told in the case of a noise from the engine that is audible when cold but then the engine heats up and the sound goes away is symptomatic of some sort of crack(s) in the manifold. That's all, take it for what it's worth; or don't take it, doesn't matter to me either way, just trying to help

 

No, need to get upset and BOLD me. I think what you attempted to get across is when the manifold heats the crack closes up due to the metal expanding.

Have a nice evening