Something went bang...

[alexanderfoti]

Hi all

Took my CL55 to kent and back yesterday. All good no issues.

This morning, started it to do some wiring stuff, turned it off etc. When I finished up, I noticed a large amount of water on the floor to the back of the car.

Started it up outside and am greeted with this:

[YOUTUBE]J3XUzYSOWn4[/YOUTUBE]

Not quite sure whats happened. The smoke is mostly white, doesnt smell of oil. Possibly of fuel. The popping of the exhaust is also a new one, hasn't happened before!

Recent work includes removing the supercharger and re-installing it. There appears to be no leaks, inlet or otherwise.

Thoughts.

 

[Flyinspanner]

That's not what you want to see!
Can you tell if it's got antifreeze in it? Has the coolant level dropped?
Compression test?

Is the supercharger water cooled? Maybe it's that as its been off recently, gasket not sealed 100%?

Fingers crossed for you Alex.

 

[alexanderfoti]

It doesn't smell oily.
It doesn't smell particularly sweet
It doesn't smell fuelly, but this is the most likely I think, considering the exhaust pops that were not there before.

Under load, it doesn't smoke nearly as much. I thought head gasket as well, but coolant level looks ok too. Oil looks normal.

SC is watercooled, but on a separate circuit. Its possible the supercharger heat exchanger is leaking internally?

 

[alexanderfoti]

Your post got me thinking.

I have a split supercharger circuit. So its literally 2 radiators and a tank in series.

I started it up and marked a point for the level, let it idle for 15 minutes, and checked, it had lots approx 5mm on the level. I think it may be leaking internally at the supercharger rad.

 

[alexanderfoti]

OK, not coolant.

Ran the IC pump with the surge tank removed. Got a mirror into the outlet of the IC, dry as a bone in there. Water level dropping must have been evaporation.

I have lots of fluid sat on top of my valves. Got a cotton bud down there and tasted it. Not coolant, tastes oily.

Rings worn I think, must be one one or 2 cylinders, and the crank pressure/oil mist is going back into the inlet.

 

[Botus]

OK, not coolant.

Ran the IC pump with the surge tank removed. Got a mirror into the outlet of the IC, dry as a bone in there. Water level dropping must have been evaporation.

I have lots of fluid sat on top of my valves. Got a cotton bud down there and tasted it. Not coolant, tastes oily.

Rings worn I think, must be one one or 2 cylinders, and the crank pressure/oil mist is going back into the inlet.

modern cars shouldn't wear rings out, unless way past lots and lots of miles abuse / or some nasty mechanical issue in history... unless it has non cast iron liners then anything could happen if the coating somehow gets damaged

from pic is only one bank ? is the super charger common to both or somehow split left and right ?

 

[alexanderfoti]

modern cars shouldn't wear rings out, unless way past lots and lots of miles abuse / or some nasty mechanical issue in history... unless it has non cast iron liners then anything could happen if the coating somehow gets damaged

from pic is only one bank ? is the super charger common to both or somehow split left and right ?

I meant more like a ring issue. M113ks have been known to crack rings on 7+8.

These blocks have Silicon Aluminum liners.

The SC flow on these engines is convoluted, but basically goes Tb> sc inlet > sc outlet > IC> then it splits off and goes to each bank.

 

[L John]

When did you last fill up?
I'm wondering if there's any chance it got some diesel either by missfuel or petrol station error in their storage tank.

 

[Uncle Benz]

If you have liquid sitting on the back of the inlet valves it is very likely to be the cooler core under the supercharger leaking. I would recommend some fluorescent leak detection dye in the cooler water supply, run it, then check for dye on the inlet valves. Leaking cores are common. I had to replace the one on my C32 a while back.

 

[alexanderfoti]

When did you last fill up?
I'm wondering if there's any chance it got some diesel either by missfuel or petrol station error in their storage tank.

Erm, that is interesting thought.

I filled up yesterday before I hopped onto the M25. I have done approximately 35 motorway miles with whats in the tank at the moment.

Just called up the petrol station, no reports of anyone else having an issue. I think they are miscible as well, so draining a sample wouldn't show much. They have said they will call me if any body reports issues.

 

[alexanderfoti]

If you have liquid sitting on the back of the inlet valves it is very likely to be the cooler core under the supercharger leaking. I would recommend some fluorescent leak detection dye in the cooler water supply, run it, then check for dye on the inlet valves. Leaking cores are common. I had to replace the one on my C32 a while back.

I may give that a go. I hear its common on the 32 engines, but not heard many reports on the 55.

This is what the inlet valves look like:



It feels like oil. Doesn't taste like coolant (hmmm yummy)

The smoke also doesn't seem like steam?

 

[alexanderfoti]

Also lovely:

[YOUTUBE]x36qsZ6AQS4[/YOUTUBE]

 

[L John]

Still looks like diesel to me unless the supercharger has oil galleys and a seal is leaking and letting oil get into the intake but I'd go with diesel theory until its ruled out.
Either way, your cats and spark plugs wont thank you for running it.

 

[alexanderfoti]

I'll pop some petrol in it tomorrow to rule it out.

 

[alexanderfoti]

Either way, your cats and spark plugs wont thank you for running it.

Not driving it at all at the moment

 

[Uncle Benz]

Erm, that is interesting thought.

I filled up yesterday before I hopped onto the M25. I have done approximately 35 motorway miles with whats in the tank at the moment.

Just called up the petrol station, no reports of anyone else having an issue. I think they are miscible as well, so draining a sample wouldn't show much. They have said they will call me if any body reports issues.

If you filled up yesterday it certainly could be a fuel issue. I can smell diesel if it is mixed with petrol, but I have had a good few years in the trade

 

[alexanderfoti]

If you filled up yesterday it certainly could be a fuel issue. I can smell diesel if it is mixed with petrol, but I have had a good few years in the trade

Hehe me not so much. I can smell bio diesel, veg and kerosene a mile off though!

 

[BAZZER1]

Hi Alex
There is a Mod on here called Cole who is pretty good at diagnosing problems, I am pretty sure, or I could be wrong, that this man will be able to advise you if you ask him.

BAZZER1

 

[alexanderfoti]

Hi Alex
There is a Mod on here called Cole who is pretty good at diagnosing problems, I am pretty sure, or I could be wrong, that this man will be able to advise you if you ask him.

BAZZER1

Tried him already, one trick pony he is!

 

[BAZZER1]

Go on Cole give this nice Mod the benefit of your experience, he's not a bad chap and dosent like his car going Pop.

BAZZER1