C200K W203 - Supercharger Noise?/Cam Adjuster?

[MAB01UK]

I can hear a steady clatter/rumble from the Supercharger area, louder when hot and idling. It can be clearly heard when resting a screwdriver to listen with on the alloy castings near the supercharger but is not loud enough to hear inside the car. (2001 C200K)
When you rev the car lightly there is also quite a loud rasping-type noise coming from the inlet cam adjuster area at the right front of the red/silver cam cover. This noise only occurs briefly as you pass through 1500 RPM and then again briefly when you release the throttle and the revs start to descend down. Is this the cam adjuster operating, should it make this noise? Runs fine otherwise.
Any ideas, did a search but the superchargers seem pretty reliable to high mileages?
If it was the superchager should it be replaced.............I can't find anywhere that does re-con units, surprising considering how common Kompressor Mercs are?
Thanks in advance for any help or advice.

 

[slksimon]

supercharger rumble

hi there
we have an slk 200k with the same noise,i have taken off the belt and everything seems ok no roughness or feel as though a bearing is going but the noise has gone if you run it without the belt. the only thing i can see is the disc on the oter face of the tensioner pulley seems loose,i have checked everything ever 500 miles or so but nothing has got any worse

 

[MAB01UK]

hi there
we have an slk 200k with the same noise,i have taken off the belt and everything seems ok no roughness or feel as though a bearing is going but the noise has gone if you run it without the belt. the only thing i can see is the disc on the oter face of the tensioner pulley seems loose,i have checked everything ever 500 miles or so but nothing has got any worse

Thanks for your info, what miles have you done?...........I have 105k miles, looked into buying a secondhand replacement supercharger but only 3 month guarantee at best and will it be any better than mine in long term........a new kompressor from MB is £1155 inc vat plus fitting. Supercharger life is estimated at 100-125k miles on average it seems.

The suspected cam adjuster noise does not happen at 1500rpm or at all when the engine is cold if that helps?

 

[jimsinessex]

The belt tensioner on my previous 1999 CLK 230K was noisy and had already been booked into my indy for replacement when it distintegrated and stranded me in the middle of the night on the M1.
I would replace it without delay.

Jim

 

[Uncle Benz]

When you rev the car lightly there is also quite a loud rasping-type noise coming from the inlet cam adjuster area at the right front of the red/silver cam cover. This noise only occurs briefly as you pass through 1500 RPM and then again briefly when you release the throttle and the revs start to descend down. Is this the cam adjuster operating, should it make this noise? Runs fine otherwise.

This description is spot on. They don't all seem to do it, but many do. It is the sound of the unit operating. I would not worry about it at all. I've never seen one actually fail.

 

[steve 230k]

The belt tensioner on my previous 1999 CLK 230K was noisy and had already been booked into my indy for replacement when it distintegrated and stranded me in the middle of the night on the M1.
I would replace it without delay.

Jim

Hi,

I'm going to look at a 230K this weekend.
I will listen out for this noise too.

Just out of interest, may I ask how much it cost to get the belt tensioner changed and can you do it yourself?

Many thanks

Steve

 

[jimsinessex]

In my case the tensioner was the one on the n/s by the power steering pump and the new part was £57:50 + VAT. Because it had failed and shed bits in all directions both poly v-belts were renewed as well. MB also now advise fitting a small shock absorber to the tensioner (£26:50 + VAT) which was also done.

At an good indy the total parts cost was £145 + VAT and labour £55 + VAT giving a total bill of £235:34.

If you are handy with a spanner it is certainly a DIY job, I didn't have the option as it happened 70 miles from home in the middle of the night!

Good luck with the purchase of a 230K, I had mine from new for 9 years and 227,000 miles and loved every minute.

Jim

 

[steve 230k]

Thanks for the advice.
I've changed my mind TBH.
I'm now going for a CLK320 instead.
Although if a lovely 230k does arrive on the scene I won't rule it out altogetehr I suppose.