Hello to all. I’ve got an 02 MB SLK 32 AMG w/38,400. I’ve owned it for 14 months. I’m having a problem, which I suspect is the IC Pump, but would appreciate your thoughts, suggestions and input. Here’s my story and what I’ve done thusfar. . . I took the car in for the Secondary Air Injection Relay Recall (2006030011) May 06. I encountered the rough idle at stops that people have complained of, etc. I felt something was different with the car after the Recall, but only until my hubby drove it, did he say “there’s something wrong!” So, in doing my research, I reset the ECU this morning. Took it for a long drive. At first it felt different, but still experiencing loss of power at high traveling (freeway) speeds 50-60 mph. I would get up to those speeds, put the pedal to the floor and essentially nothing – flat/mush! I could feel the car downshift and you could hear the engine and/or intercooler trying to go, but it would accelerate VERY slow-- no “kick in” and/or “pulling” sensation and no hard/fast accelerating. I also took it up a steep hill 4 or 5 times. Again, sometimes it would “kick in” but sometimes it would not. Then after all that hard work, it was very hard to get the car to “kick in” at lower speed levels of 30-40 mph.” I think I worked it too hard.

Early in my drive, I was able to get the car to “kick in” at the freeway speeds (over 50 mph), but other times, when I was at or around 50, it wouldn’t “kick in.” It was intermittent. Also, a couple tries on the steep hill, I could get it to “kick in” when the car was under 20 mph, but once over that, it just wouldn’t cross that barrier. I had it floored, the car would downshift and I could hear the engine or intercooler trying but no “take off, it would only putter up the hill. I can only speculate what the problem is. Maybe my IC Pump is on its way out and sometimes works and sometimes doesn’t? At lower speeds, it seems okay, except as I said above when I took it up those steep hills and really worked it, it wasn’t even pulling after that.

I’ve read a lot of stuff on the forum about the recall blowing the IC pumps, that the IC Pumps are a weak component and bound to blow, and a few other various ideas/suggestions (even as simple as changing fluids). But I’m just trying to narrow things down and get a clear understanding of what the problem may be. It seems all fingers point to the IC Pump, but maybe there’s something I’m not aware of and should consider?

In case you’re wondering, I don’t have a code puller and I’m not getting any check engine lights. The car doesn’t act like it’s going to die, or has never died on me while driving.

Is there a way to check/listen if the IC Pump is working or not? Seems as if some people test the IC Pumps with a meter. Recommended readings or suggestions, please.

I saw a thread on buying the Ford Lighting pumps for $100 versus MB for $380.00 – yeah or ney on the Lightning pump?? How hard is it to change the pump? Any instructions or pictures would be appreciated I won’t be doing the wrenching, of course, but my better half is a wizard with cars.

My apologizes for the long post, but I wanted to be as detailed as possible and give everyone a good idea of the problem I’m having. Hope it makes enough sense. Just want to confirm my IC Pump suspicions.

Thanks much for all your replies and input!!

 

From my experience with these cars, it seems like you are in fact having an issue with your IC coolant pump. When cold everything works just fine there is no hesitation when at WOT, but when it gets hot, you get essentially no acceleration. You can always jump the relay and see if it actuates, but I'd be willing to bet that the pump is toast or has a very weak output.

As for any experience with the lightning pumps, I have none. From what I hear though they are worth it. Now for changing it out, just drain the coolant and change it out or you can try to crimp off the coolant lines running to it and try to get minimal leaks or mess. Should be behind the right side of the front bumper. Basically just follow the coolant lines down to it..

 

Thanks Racin Fool, I appreciate the response. I think I'll order the pump and see what happens. Thankfully, I can still putter around town and not be laid up in the garage -- just no racing challenges.

 

Yep - most likely your intercooler pump. Same scenario for my car (C32). The '02 pumps run all the time making them a little more susceptible to failing (compared to the '03 and newer which do not run constantly). I changed mine to the Lightning pump and it solved the problem.

You can check with a meter, but in the '02, it is just as easy to listen for the pump. Run your car hard on the road for a while (i.e. conditions where the pump should be active), shut the engine off and jump out of the car and go to the passenger side of the front of the car. You should hear the pump running for about 10 seconds after the engine is off. BTW, the pump is located close to the front of the passenger side front wheel well.

It is pretty easy to exchange out the pump for the Lightning pump. I got mine on e-bay for $70 or thereabouts. There's a couple on e-bay right now for $80. The only major difference is the electrical connectors, but that can be remedied by modifying it.
There's an excellent thread (1FASTC32's cheep intercooler replacement) that I suspect you have already read some of:

https://mbworld.org/forums/c32-amg-c55-amg-w203/146457-1fastc32-s-cheep-intercooler-pump-replacement.html

There are great photos and tips for what to watch out for.[/QUOTE]