C32 serious loss of power

[blackscooby]

Hi,

Driving into work this morning my C32 went into "limp home mode". Serious loss of power, engine note changed and sounded very flat (rather than the grumbly note of the C32). Everything went slow.... manual gearbox changes took forever.

Out of road ends the car was very sluggish... more 50BHP than 350 !

Called MobiloLife and they're on their way out to it...

Booooo

Mark

 

[Bobby Dazzler]

I'll stake what's left of my salad on it being the Intercooler pump.

It circulates coolant around a circuit between intercooler and the supercharger. A very common fault on this engine, and results in considerable reduction of power as the underbonnet temperatures spiral.

If you're out of warranty there's a reasonabley well documented DIY fix, using the pump from a Ford Lightning which is identical except for the connectors. Cost about $100 IIRC. You should find plenty about it on MBWorld.org

 

[stats007]

Or the crankshaft position sensor.

 

[Bobby Dazzler]

Or the crankshaft position sensor.

You should have been quicker mate - since I posted I've eaten most of the salad and there's only some grated carrot and a dribble of vinegarette left!!

 

[stats007]

Ah but what's for after? Yoghurt?

 

[Bobby Dazzler]

Called MobiloLife and they're on their way out to it...

If it's taken to the dealer - which I suspect it will be if Mobilolife are attending - ask them if it's had the air injection relay replaced.

There was a modification/recall a while back that replaced the air injection relay accompanied by an ECU re-flash IIRC, and some believe that there is a link between this fix and premature failing of the intercooler pump.

There are many more C32s in the US - and it's there that this possible trend has been spotted - sadly there just aren't enough C32s (or SLK32s) in the UK to draw any conclusions.

If you are out of warranty and you don't fancy DIY, then it may be worth challenging DCUK for a goodwill repair, as it seems to be a known problem. Intercooler pumps should not need to be replaced after just a few years if designed and manufactured in such a way that it's fit for purpose. Worth a go?

 

[Bobby Dazzler]

Ah but what's for after? Yoghurt?

Probably a Twix from the vending machine!!

 

[blackscooby]

Right stake in the ground... I've left my salad from the Kebab... and feel rather stuffed and nauseous now !

Mind you might feel even worse when MobiLife attend !

Should be here in about an hour.
As the old game show says "Place your bets !"

Haven't opened the bonnet to even look at coolant level.

 

[fuzzer]

ill go for the crank position sensor

 

[kth286]

I would suggest that Crank Sensor either works, or does not work, and therefore would cut off engine completely, which it has not done.

It is such a vital component - there are no half measures with it.

When they go faulty, they normally go out of spec when hot and the ECU cuts off engine. After a cool down period, the sensor often comes within spec again, and the car will immediately start again.

So, not likely to be the Crank Sensor.

 

[stats007]

It doesn't work like that at all - if it fails the car just enters limp home mode - the sensor is only used for ignition timing in software.

 

[A-AvantGarde]

That's bad news. Hope it's not too serious and that you get it sorted quickly and that it doesn't cost to much (or ideally anything).

Keep us posted...

 

[blackscooby]

Engineer just plugged Star Diagnostic unit in. Error was "Air intake temp too high".

Presume it's the compressor pump that has failed. Taking it to dealer tonight.

 

[stats007]

Pfft - enjoy your Twix

 

[blackscooby]

If it's taken to the dealer - which I suspect it will be if Mobilolife are attending - ask them if it's had the air injection relay replaced.

There was a modification/recall a while back that replaced the air injection relay accompanied by an ECU re-flash IIRC, and some believe that there is a link between this fix and premature failing of the intercooler pump.

There are many more C32s in the US - and it's there that this possible trend has been spotted - sadly there just aren't enough C32s (or SLK32s) in the UK to draw any conclusions.

If you are out of warranty and you don't fancy DIY, then it may be worth challenging DCUK for a goodwill repair, as it seems to be a known problem. Intercooler pumps should not need to be replaced after just a few years if designed and manufactured in such a way that it's fit for purpose. Worth a go?

Just noticed on the Star Diagnostic output "Malfunction of secondary air injection" status current and stored. This is above the intake air temp too high.

The car was due to goto the dealer on Saturday to have the Engine diagnostic light which came on last week examined. The Malfunction of the secondary air injection put on the LED as it's got a piccy of a light next to the text.

Interesting......

 

[kth286]

stats007

The Crank Sensor I am talking about is the one normally positioned in the bell housing and informs ECU that engine is actually turning etc, and is absolutely essential to engine operation.

I think you are getting mixed up with the cam sensor located at the front end of the engine.

Regards

 

[Bobby Dazzler]

Just noticed on the Star Diagnostic output "Malfunction of secondary air injection" status current and stored. This is above the intake air temp too high.

It sounds like the intercooler pump is likely to be at the heart of this. How many miles has the car covered, and do you have a warranty?

If it is indeed the cause then at least it's fairly well documented fix, that can be DIYd if you're confident with a spanner.

If that's a daunting prospect, then it might be worth considering a Service Plus contract as unfortunately my C32 does have a little holiday over at the dealers more often than I'd like!! I have it in writing that the intercooler pump would be covered by Service Plus. Might be a sensible way of guarding against other problems later.

PM me if you'd like to know more.

Hope it's all sorted soon!!

 

[stats007]

stats007

The Crank Sensor I am talking about is the one normally positioned in the bell housing and informs ECU that engine is actually turning etc, and is absolutely essential to engine operation.

I think you are getting mixed up with the cam sensor located at the front end of the engine.

Regards

No, the crank sensor works in the same way. It's values feed into the CAN bus to the engine ECU - you can disconnect the sensor and the car will enter limp home mode - not shut down altogether.

 

[blackscooby]

It sounds like the intercooler pump is likely to be at the heart of this. How many miles has the car covered, and do you have a warranty?

If it is indeed the cause then at least it's fairly well documented fix, that can be DIYd if you're confident with a spanner.

If that's a daunting prospect, then it might be worth considering a Service Plus contract as unfortunately my C32 does have a little holiday over at the dealers more often than I'd like!! I have it in writing that the intercooler pump would be covered by Service Plus. Might be a sensible way of guarding against other problems later.

PM me if you'd like to know more.

Hope it's all sorted soon!!

As I've only had it 3 weeks the dealer was quite sure that EVERYTHING would be covered by Mobilolife. The cars just gone over 40K this week. Not exactly what you'd call high milage !

I've got MB Warrenty for 12 months as it was from MB, then I've extended that with MB for another 12 months. So warrenty until Sep 2008.... which sounds like it's going to be a good thing !

Cheers

 

[Bobby Dazzler]

Phew!! You'll be covered then. 40,000 miles is prime territory for this fault.

Did the dealer allow you to extend the warranty when you bought the car then? Said I couldn't do that when I bought mine. Doh.