problem still waiting to be solved!!

[zsadiq1]

Hi all. I thought I had enough information for the dealer to repair my car but it turns out I was wrong. About a year ago I heard a squealing sound coming from the engine. The sound was intermittent but quite loud and generally it started approximately 30 mins to 1 hour after the engine was switched off. Often the engine was cold. The dealer couldn't help as it never made the noise when they were around. Recently, I heard the noise and with the help of my stethoscope I located the noise to an air conditioning pipe. I took it back to the dealer but they still can't find anything wrong with it. Any ideas???

 

[PINBALL]

Might be helpfull to know a bit more about the car etc. Like model / year engine / any fluids loss?

 

[television]

It could be bearings in the air con pump, even though the clutch is not engaged the pump shaft is still spinning, but the noise could also be the idler, (they give the most problems)

Malcolm

 

[zsadiq1]

My car is an E320 petrol, August 2003. It has only done 24K. There is no fluid loss. The noise (the squeal) can happen over an hour after the engine has been switched off. It sounds like gas is being squeezed through a small hole under high pressure. There are no 'moveable' parts working at the time.

 

[PINBALL]

I may be talking out the back of my hat here but, I remember being told by someone some time ago that Merc were using (under licence) the hydro-elastic suspension that Citroen have been using on thier cars for a long time as the system provides an exceptional ride and is easily adjustable to different ride heights at the movement of a lever.

When I had a BX a few hears ago for a short time, I remember hearing similar charachteristics coming from this on the driveway after switch off 10-20 minutes after car stopping & suspension dropping to lowest level.

So, does the car have an adjustable ride height lever in the car for say going over rough ground?
Or, do you get a sense of suspension being lifted when you start engine from cold?

Only a long shot, & I could be totally wrong.
Look in the handbook for any fitted equipment being used (under licence), and we may get closer to explaining this unusual wheezing noise.

Lastly, Another avenue of enquiry I would take is to phone Customer Svcs at Milton Keynes (MB Head-office & main importer) & have your log book to hand to prove you are the owner.
I have often found these people to be invauable where dealer has failed to answer question & tried to fob me off with excuses.
Tel No. should be in the cars black wallet that you got when it was new, or give "pascal / slinky / turnip" moderators (top of page) an email for it.

Please keep us informed if you find the answer to help others with in the future.

Good Luck,
Keith.

 

[muso58]

hose internal wall may have collapsed !!

 

[zsadiq1]

Thanks for your replies. It is definitely the air conditioning unit that is making the noise. I may give MB head office a call as the dealer hasn't come up with an answer. I wonder whether an air conditioning specialist may be able to help. Otherwise I may take it to andy gayles - they seem to be highly rated.