Kompressor

[brakes508]

Afternoon I have a 2001 230k slk and have noticed a rumbling coming from the O/S of the engine. I can describe the sounds as almost like a thrust bearing that's away in a clutch but on further inversigation by a friend with a stethescope the noise seems to be hinged round the supercharger! my local stealership is quoting £1001.51 for a new unit! The car still drives as normal but sounds like a bearing away on a shaft at the back, does anyone know is there's a common problem with the supercharger? also can they be overhauled by any companies or are they just new or exchange units? Not to keen on a option of circa £1500 to make the noise go away. Question if you continue to run with the noise and the unit fails what is the worst that can happen? I know the unit's driven off the crank would you just see a loss of power back to a normally aspirated 4 cylinder or would the failure be more catistrophic! is the bearing gave out, all thoughts / help / info most appreciated.

 

[Ian B Walker]

I have to change a kompressor in the not too distant future. My customer has sourced one at £250 with a guarantee. It is possible to change the front bearing though. Quite how at this moment in time I do not know, however there is a link to an American web site that documents the change (cant quite lay my hands on it right now).

 

[brakes508]

Many thanks Ian for your reply, does anyone else have any pointer that may help? the thing that irkes me it's driving the same as normal bar the rattle at tick over. You can still hear it when reving the engine only the increased noise masks it slightly. Ian any further info on the kompressor and whether thats a one off or they do a few would be most appreciated, don't fancy the stealership quote!

 

[star]

Not changed a compressor but had to remove a few, not that difficult, just a couple of fiddley bolts. I heard quite a few kompressors rattle at tick over, just a bit too much backlash in the gears. not a problem. you could check the oil in it, its seperate from the engine.

 

[MIW615]

It is possible to change the front bearing though. Quite how at this moment in time I do not know, however there is a link to an American web site that documents the change (cant quite lay my hands on it right now).

If the unit can be dismantled and the bearing removed surely the bearing can be matched up by going to a reputable bearing company

Are there any exploded drawings of the kompressor?

 

[star]

Is it the bearing or is it backlash in the unit. Some older manual gearboxes suffered from this when the idle is too low but the noise goes when the revs rise.

 

[brakes508]

Good point MIW615, anyone know a web link to an exploded diagram of one? not sure if it's the bearing or backlash not sure how to tell the difference any pointers? also didn't know there was a seperate oil supply for the supercharger! learning something new every day! it's a 2001 6 speed manual slk 230k. Noise is still there when you load the engine up with more revs only obviously the increased noise hinds it a little. I think I read somewhere that the supercharger also has a clutch, is this correct? many thanks....

 

[television]

How about the idler too, that can make the same sound

 

[brakes508]

Hi Malcolm Idler was a little noisy but mate took of the kompressor belt off and listened with a stethoscope and noise seemed more prominent from inside the unit. Does anyone know the part number for the kompressor or diagrams? Surely someone in the UK can overhaul them or possibly replace the internal bearings? stealership price for the unit I was told was £1001.15 has anyone had one let go while under load? If I though I could run it and not cause any damage bar loss of power if it packed in I might be tempted by that in the short term. Still goes and sounds great don't notice a difference in any performance drop off. Has anyone been through the same process? Surely this is a commonish occurrence; only done 83k as well please keep the advice coming to aid me coming to an informed outcome, many thanks.

 

[brakes508]

Having done some research into the Kompressor issue I have come across a company "cat & carbs uk" who overhaul them and give a 1 year warrenty. They tell me they do a lot of work for mercedes who then + on the stealership fee and "rodger" the customer! not good. Anyway has anyone ever used them or know of somewho who has experience of them? Merc are quoting £1001.15 for a replacement, this company are saying even the most expensive overhaul would be £350 + P & P. Any thoughts would be most welcome, many thanks.

 

[Ian B Walker]

If the unit can be dismantled and the bearing removed surely the bearing can be matched up by going to a reputable bearing company

Are there any exploded drawings of the kompressor?

Tried to get a bearing with no success. Apparently there are two types, depending on your blower. One is 30 mm dia and the other is 32mm. I have tried or should I say, my customer has tried, to source one of each. The search continues (next to try are American Bearing suppliers)

 

[jimsinessex]

www.SuperchargersOnline.com are an American company who have a website worth looking at. It includes a picture of an SLK supercharger broken down into all the component parts. They would probably be able to give a source in USA for bearings.

Look under the "repair/rebuild svc" tab at the top of this website

Jim

 

[philharve]

... you could check the oil in it, its seperate from the engine.

Hi star, Hi All

I always thought the supercharger received an oil supply from the engine! If not, where does it get it from and can it be topped up? Or if it doesn't require an oil feed, is it a seal-for-life component?

Superchargers can fail within when just a couple years with little more than 20k-miles on the clock. My C230K is on 114k-miles and no problems. It wines a bit for 30 seconds at startup - always did - but is otherwise quiet unless working hard when I'm pressing on. I've heard of imminent supercharger failure as sounding like a tin of nails being shaken. Not heard it myself though.

I know early supercharger installations had magnetic clutches that were troublesome due to electrical gremlins. My 2000 Merc' has a full-time supercharger and no clutch: one less item to fail. A 2001 SLK 230K will be similar.

Dealerships will be expensive because they replace rather than repair.

REGARDS

Phil

 

[star]

The compressor has its oil supply in the unit and has no other feed.

 

[jibcl500]

Well it looks like the supercharger failure is a common problem, mines started to get noisy. I will see if I can pull mine apart and replace the bearings.

jib

 

[dazwm]

I had what seems to be a similar problem which turned out to be the Camshaft Adjuster. Unplug the power supply (this does not harm) and see if the noise disappears. If it does you know it is that.

 

[coventryslk]

I had what seems to be a similar problem which turned out to be the Camshaft Adjuster. Unplug the power supply (this does not harm) and see if the noise disappears. If it does you know it is that.

unplug the power supply?? what does he mean??? how do i do that?