AMG supercharger fault? They all do that...
Discussion
My SL55 AMG has developed a noise...
When the supercharger clutch engages, it generates a loud 'chirp' noise. This happens almost every time the car pulls away, or changes gear, at low rpm - i.e. every time the clutch actuates.
To say that it's annoying would be an understatement! With the roof down, it's loud enough to spoil the fun and it can be heard from quite a distance. Occasionally theres a marked 'lag and surge' in the transmission pick-up when accelerating away from stand-still, particularly if the engine is cold or if the transmission has just changed from reverse gear.
I bought the car used from a local dealer, and they have been great. The problem has been pin-pointed to the supercharger clutch, and a new part was ordered. However... Mercedes have refused to send the part. I've been shown previous customer reports of intermittent "chirping supercharger clutch" and the Mercedes advice to their dealers is to NOT replace the part and to fob the customer off; "It's a known issue with AMG engines - they all do that Sir".
I'm sorry, but I can't believe that they "all do that"! Has anyone else had this problem? I bought the car 6 weeks ago and the problem started (over night, but progressively getting worse) about 4 weeks ago. The car is currently with the dealer for the third time...
Am I within my rights to reject the car (if they refuse to fix it under warranty) and ask for my money back?
When the supercharger clutch engages, it generates a loud 'chirp' noise. This happens almost every time the car pulls away, or changes gear, at low rpm - i.e. every time the clutch actuates.
To say that it's annoying would be an understatement! With the roof down, it's loud enough to spoil the fun and it can be heard from quite a distance. Occasionally theres a marked 'lag and surge' in the transmission pick-up when accelerating away from stand-still, particularly if the engine is cold or if the transmission has just changed from reverse gear.
I bought the car used from a local dealer, and they have been great. The problem has been pin-pointed to the supercharger clutch, and a new part was ordered. However... Mercedes have refused to send the part. I've been shown previous customer reports of intermittent "chirping supercharger clutch" and the Mercedes advice to their dealers is to NOT replace the part and to fob the customer off; "It's a known issue with AMG engines - they all do that Sir".
I'm sorry, but I can't believe that they "all do that"! Has anyone else had this problem? I bought the car 6 weeks ago and the problem started (over night, but progressively getting worse) about 4 weeks ago. The car is currently with the dealer for the third time...
Am I within my rights to reject the car (if they refuse to fix it under warranty) and ask for my money back?
Don't if Merc is the same as Jag (both Eaton I think?) but the Jag unit has a spring coupling in the blower drive which is rather weak and tends to break up. This had happened on my blower. The solutioin in my case was to fit a solid replacement coupler known as an 'anti-rattle' coupler - you can buy these from supercharger UK.
My S55 (same engine) squeaks and clicks.
It's had a new vane thingy for the supercharger, and is about to get it's second new pulley for it as well, last time it had a new pulley it was quiet for a while.
Ask them to take the car back and return your money, that should shake them up.
Good luck
It's had a new vane thingy for the supercharger, and is about to get it's second new pulley for it as well, last time it had a new pulley it was quiet for a while.
Ask them to take the car back and return your money, that should shake them up.
Good luck
Ah ha!
http://forums.mbnz.org/forums/forums/thread-view.asp?tid=1183052&posts=5&fid=7
I've faxed to my dealer...
http://forums.mbnz.org/forums/forums/thread-view.asp?tid=1183052&posts=5&fid=7
I've faxed to my dealer...
Been in France for a week... 2,200 miles and the car didn't miss a beat (except for the supercharger!)
The sound/surge is (as documented in the link) caused by the clutch slipping. I plan to try some of the "stop squeal" to see if there's an improvement.
I also plan to contact Top Gear this week to see if it's news-worthy.
The sound/surge is (as documented in the link) caused by the clutch slipping. I plan to try some of the "stop squeal" to see if there's an improvement.
I also plan to contact Top Gear this week to see if it's news-worthy.
Took it into Greenoaks yesterday and took an engineer for a drive so he could hear and feel the problem. He felt it was the tensioner for the supercharger belt which then causes clutch slip as the belt doesn't properly engage. He says he has seen this before and relatively straightforward to fix. So it is now getting done on thursday - will let you know.
Incidentally the engineer had been to Le Mans for the last 8-9 years and a number of us are going next week so hopefully this is the only problem.
Incidentally the engineer had been to Le Mans for the last 8-9 years and a number of us are going next week so hopefully this is the only problem.
ellisric said:Please do let me know how you get on!
Took it into Greenoaks yesterday and took an engineer for a drive so he could hear and feel the problem. He felt it was the tensioner for the supercharger belt which then causes clutch slip as the belt doesn't properly engage. He says he has seen this before and relatively straightforward to fix. So it is now getting done on thursday - will let you know.
Incidentally the engineer had been to Le Mans for the last 8-9 years and a number of us are going next week so hopefully this is the only problem.
Well within 5 mins of coming out of Greenoaks with new tensioners the problem was still there. Went in again last friday for the 4th time and they are denying any problem even though their engineer has seen and felt it. I feel an explosion coming on to Mercedes UK.....and maybe try another dealer....
There's no question - the problem is caused by de-glazing of the clutch facings; adjusting the belt tensioners will do very little if anything to stop it. What this needs is a replacement of the clutch material to every supercharged AMG engine, and Mercedes will choke on their cornflakes at the thought of that. Stop Squeal works - allegedly, if temporarily - but could invalidate your Mercedes warranty if they suspect you of "tampering".
All I can suggest is a joint action, i.e. find out how many cars suffer from the problem (with unsatisfied owners) and petition Mercedes to do something about it. Dealers are clearly having success in fobbing-off the odd owner here and there; but a list of 50, 100, 1,000? owners with similar experiences/grievances will be hard for the media or Mercedes to ignore. We need to take a class-action to Mercedes UK/Global.
Just need one of you clever Internet sites to set up www.merecedes-ripoff.com and get the names rolling in.
Who's with me...
All I can suggest is a joint action, i.e. find out how many cars suffer from the problem (with unsatisfied owners) and petition Mercedes to do something about it. Dealers are clearly having success in fobbing-off the odd owner here and there; but a list of 50, 100, 1,000? owners with similar experiences/grievances will be hard for the media or Mercedes to ignore. We need to take a class-action to Mercedes UK/Global.
Just need one of you clever Internet sites to set up www.merecedes-ripoff.com and get the names rolling in.
Who's with me...
Latest is I met with a very competent mechanic (ex F1 McLaren engineer) on friday to discuss. He separated the two issues:
- The squeak is down to the belt and the tensioner slipping under load, which apparently is normal
- The power surge he was uncertain but agreed to engage Mercedes directly and take the car in with him and Mercedes engineers together reviewing it
Concern is I have driven 7 SL55's and mine is the only one showing these "features". With this as a backdrop I will struggle to understand if Mercedes do not recognise this as a fault and suggest Marlon's approach plus press could be the option.
- The squeak is down to the belt and the tensioner slipping under load, which apparently is normal
- The power surge he was uncertain but agreed to engage Mercedes directly and take the car in with him and Mercedes engineers together reviewing it
Concern is I have driven 7 SL55's and mine is the only one showing these "features". With this as a backdrop I will struggle to understand if Mercedes do not recognise this as a fault and suggest Marlon's approach plus press could be the option.
Evidence on other forums(http://forums.mbworld.org/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=68342&highlight=chirp) would suggest that the "squeek" is caused by the clutch plates engaging, not by the belts? I.e. brake squeal is caused by a similar phenomenon, no belts involved. The transmission "slip" does coincide with the noise, e.g. louder/longer noise = more transmission slip. It seems to be worse if the car is hot.
I'm in email correspondence with DCUK and HQ, asking them to;
A) Acknowledge that there is a "problem" with the supercharger clutch plate surfacing.
B) Apply "Stop Squeal" (or similar) at my local DCUK dealership as an investigation to see whether it works.
C) State that this investigative work will in no way affect my warranty.
D) Continue to apply corrective action on an on-going basis as necessary to remedy the symptoms.
E) Advise me of the work that Mercedes/AMG is doing to produce a permanent fix.
I'm expecting them to reiterate their previously stated position (I quote from a previous email, below) but you live in hope...
"We have spoken to Mercedes Benz and they have re confirmed that the noise you refer to is Engine Specific and does not constitute a defect. Whilst we understand and appreciate the noise you refer to, we must re-iterate that it is a characteristic of this state of the art engine and therefore no repair is deemed necessary."
What a load of clap-trap.
I'm in email correspondence with DCUK and HQ, asking them to;
A) Acknowledge that there is a "problem" with the supercharger clutch plate surfacing.
B) Apply "Stop Squeal" (or similar) at my local DCUK dealership as an investigation to see whether it works.
C) State that this investigative work will in no way affect my warranty.
D) Continue to apply corrective action on an on-going basis as necessary to remedy the symptoms.
E) Advise me of the work that Mercedes/AMG is doing to produce a permanent fix.
I'm expecting them to reiterate their previously stated position (I quote from a previous email, below) but you live in hope...
"We have spoken to Mercedes Benz and they have re confirmed that the noise you refer to is Engine Specific and does not constitute a defect. Whilst we understand and appreciate the noise you refer to, we must re-iterate that it is a characteristic of this state of the art engine and therefore no repair is deemed necessary."
What a load of clap-trap.
www.benzworld.org/forums/forums/thread-view.asp?tid=1210712&posts=21&fid=7
Saw this and thought of you !
Saw this and thought of you !
I joined just so i could answer this topic !
I have an 03 E55 AMG with 73,000 miles and the same issue . Every time i pull away i get a "squeak". I took it to Watford Mercedes who relieved me of £120 for a new supercharger belt and then told me ...quote...." a characteristic of AMG's , when i hear a squeak like that i know its an AMG".....
My car is mint and i adore it but i'm thinking of getting rid of it because of this . Mercedes say it will need a complete new supercharger to resolve the problem . I think otherwise after reading this post. Can anyone give me some more info please or point me in the right direction.
Thanks
I have an 03 E55 AMG with 73,000 miles and the same issue . Every time i pull away i get a "squeak". I took it to Watford Mercedes who relieved me of £120 for a new supercharger belt and then told me ...quote...." a characteristic of AMG's , when i hear a squeak like that i know its an AMG".....
My car is mint and i adore it but i'm thinking of getting rid of it because of this . Mercedes say it will need a complete new supercharger to resolve the problem . I think otherwise after reading this post. Can anyone give me some more info please or point me in the right direction.
Thanks
Holy thread reserection batman!
I was told that earlier cars (like my 03 cl 55) suffer with this more as later cars have a modified clutch pack.
There was some talk on here a while ago about graphite spray which seemed to work out well. Mine doesn't do the chirp anymore, but I've had the new clutch pack fitted and a new tensioner and belt.
I was told that earlier cars (like my 03 cl 55) suffer with this more as later cars have a modified clutch pack.
There was some talk on here a while ago about graphite spray which seemed to work out well. Mine doesn't do the chirp anymore, but I've had the new clutch pack fitted and a new tensioner and belt.
Gassing Station | Mercedes | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff