bamboofever

Yesterday I was driving on some curvy roads and I was using my automatic gearing (3rd) through the corners and it does quite well. All the sudden I lose power and the car becomes very sluggish. I pull over and then when I get back on the road the car's supercharger does not seem to be engaging causing a very poor power response and even stuttering. When I step on the throttle 3/4 ways down there is no power and even stutters. I am thinking that the electronic acceleration is trying to use the supercharger which might have gone out. Has anyone else had this problem? And if so was it the supercharger or something else? If so, how much is the stock supercharger, re-built, or aftermarket brand?

Thank you in advance for your help.
-Zach

98 SLK 230 Kompressor

Brian_R170

If the supercharger is not engaging on your '98, it's probably the magnetic clutch and not the supercharger itself. There are several other things (sensors, valves, and leaks) that can make it seem like the supercharger isn't working.

linh

It very easy to tell if the S/C magnetic clutch is engaging or not just by reving the engine up to 4000 rpm in neutral.

bamboofever

Thank you for your responses. Linh, when I rev my car in neutral what am I suposed to be listening for? Brian_R170, do the magnetic clutches go out very often?

Thank you, Zach

Brian_R170

No, they don't fail often. They're basically the same technology as an Air Conditioning compressor clutch.

Driller

Check you Mass Airflow Sensor for traces of oil. I lost the seal on my S/C closed lubrication system and it covered my MAS with lubricant. The MB Tech didn't think that the oil was coming from the S/C and thought that it was, somehow, being drawn into the intake system form the engine. Shortly thereafter, my S/C failed (loud noise..but still driveable). It was replaced under warranty.

bamboofever

Actually it was my Mass Airflow Sensor that went out. They replaced it (not under warranty $600) and also replaced a few other filters. The car's acceleration is much better that even before the sensor failed.