tduncan069

I have read numerous posts that the AMG super charger "chirp" is entirely normal and results from the SC clutch engaging; the dealer told me that too. How many of my fellow AMGers also have this chirp?

Purchased a 2005 SL55 AMG certified used in July - love the car.

sprins

Bought my 2003 SL in 2004 and enjoy the chirp every time I drive it.

Benz-O-Rama

I don't now about "normal" but it seems a lot have it. I think there's even a TSB to address the issue, so it can't really be "normal"

motorkas

have an 04 - HAD the chirp - everyone says it's normal - didn't think anything of it - car went in for warranty work and had them put in a new SC clutch pack. . . now I have no more chirp and the engagement is WAAAAYYY smoother. After this experience I personally believe the chirp is cause by the SC clutch slipping and even though it may be normal (as in not detrimental) it is NOT optimal... just my .02

i_am_amused

I have read that there is a TSB about the chirp, and the TSB says *not* to replace it because it's normal. However, there is a fix, at least for my 2004 S55: install a 2006 clutch pack. The cars do not leave the factory chirping, and only develop it over time as the material wears, therefore it is *not* normal in my book.

It *can* be fixed, and it should be fixed. A $112,000 car should not be chirping like a worn fan belt on an old Ford.

tduncan069

Thank you and I agree with you. When I brought the car into the dealer, I actually described the noise as just that. I am going to try and get the 2006 clutch pack under warranty. If that fails, what was the total cost to install your on 04?

i_am_amused

I was not able to get the dealer to do the fix under warranty, so I still have the chirp. If I recall correctly, a new clutch pak is $1,000+, but I don't know if that's just parts, parts and independent mechanic install, or dealer install.

I may try to get the fix through my fidelity EW and an indy mechanic, but so far haven't bothered.

aluthman

My '03 SL55 has been doing it since the day I bought it. I keep a small bottle of graphitic lubricant in the car and give it a little squirt every month or two. This keeps the chirp quiet and doesn't appear to affect the engagement either.

motorkas

Call the boys at Benz elite automotive in Alexandria - they did mine under my Chrysler warranty - it was fully covered for me.

DoctorJeff

My '05 had the chirp when I bought it and one of the members here (aluthman) suggested "Squirting a bit of graphitic lubricant into the supercharger clutch will take care of the chirp for a few months at a time.". I took the car into a local shop here and his suggestion took care of it (although we took care of a lot of other things like air filter change, changed some worn out belt, etc. that ran the bill to $580).

Sunir

I think the cirp can be eliminated by replacing the bearing there on the SC...next time I'm in at Euro Germantown, I'll ask my guy there if a TSB is in place for this...

i_am_amused

please keep us informed. HBL in Tysons was not willing to play ball and replace my clutch pack after I informed them of the fix.

That they didn't know about the fix speaks volumes...

cal1

I'm thinking I was quoted $1,400 installed for a new SC clutch Assembly a couple years ago.

IMHO a chirping SC clutch is not normal. It is however the result of normal clutch wear and is not reason enough to replace the clutch. I could be wrong, but believe the chirp can contribute to SC clutch bearing failure over time and suggest anyone with the chirp inspect the bearing occasionally. Especially if you are running a larger pulley.

Sunir

I personally think this bearing should be looked at every 30K miles and replaced as part of upkeep, if the dealer can do it as TSB/Warranty that's the best though...if it doesn't chirp no biggie so long as one can still enjoy optimal performance out of the car...

shardul

iTrader: (1)

ok chirp noise is generated by the s/c belt slipping. The older design clutch packs have a very harsh and immediate engagement which causes the belt on the s/c pulley to slip causing the sound. The newer design clutch packs have to gentle engagement phase which does not cause the belt to slip.

luvasl55

my 04 with 23k mi has no chirp yet, but once it does it will give me a good reason to upgrade the pulley and get an ecu

UK-C200

Sunir, dig up GI09.50-P-004105 - you'll love it.

Cause

Frictional vibrations at compressor clutch
Occasionally complaints have been received regarding squealing noises in engines equipped with compressor. This noise can occur depending on speed and load when the compressor is switched on.

Remedy

It is not allowed to replace the compressor when these complaints occur.
This engine-specific noise is state of the art. At best, replacement of these parts leads to a temporary solution of the problem and customer dissatisfaction will increase.

Sorry, had to post that one - gotta love the Germans.

GI09.50-P-037126 is probably more accurate, calls for replacing the belt pulley due to bad bearings. Didn't see a DSB/TSB associated with either...

aluthman

Now that that's established, I feel so much better

Sunir

wow!!!

Shardul...when were these newer designed clutch packs issued - how do we inform someone about which parts to get or have these parts simply replaced the old one in the MB system? Are there any conflicting Part numbers?? thanks

Viet_Amg408

the clutch noise is unique i wouldn't mind

BeltFedBob

Had my clutch replaced two years ago under warranty. No more chirp.

shardul

iTrader: (1)

Sunir,
All the S/C clutch assembly that MB sells now are the newer design one.