C32 serious loss of power

[blackscooby]

Definately a common problem - our C32 suffered the exact same problem - power normal then a few miles later a slight jerk and the car lost most of it's power. Thank gawd for the Tier 1 warranty. Our car is a '02 with 43k miles.

Love the C32 but thinking of trading up to a C55 - any thoughts.

When it's on form, it's bloody brilliant. I've only had it since 1st Sept. Sadly most of my ownership is either been blunted by lack of power, or it's been away at the dealers.

I wish I could get the dealer to believe that the intercooler pump is a common fault ! Your symptons are EXACTLY mine. Slight jerk and you either loose or gain the power. The engine note either flattens to a N/A V6 or the sound hardens and the supercharger is allowed out to play.

Frustrated......
'02 with 40k

 

[Bobby Dazzler]

AAAggggrrrr talking about intercooler pumps I must have been talking to myself at the dealers. So much for me handing accross my evidence.
Reflashed the ECU. That was it. Was told it won't happen again.

I think this is the TSB (Bulletin) that identifies the intercooler pump as being the problem. Not 100% sure, but maybe ask them to look it up:

P-07_00-28F 040204 Engine Controls - Lack of Power/Hesitation/MIL ON

 

[blackscooby]

Spoke with the dealer again yesterday. Explained to another "service agent" that I suspected the intercooler pump was causing the issue. He said he'd never heard of a part called an Intercooler pump but was going to order an Secondary air pump !

Is this the right thing ? On monday I'll mention the TSB. I think they're getting fed up of me calling... but I was out in the car yesterday and it's pants.

 

[Bobby Dazzler]

Afraid not mate. Secondary air pump is to do with the emissions control - and linked to the air injection relay problem. There was a bulletin for one of the other - the relay I think - but when it was replaced the air pump failed soon afterward, so they end up replacing both!! I believe it injects air into the exhaust to help the catalyst during cold start up cycle, but I'll happily be corrected by someone who actually knows!!

The intercooler pump circulates coolant between the Intercooler and the Supercharger. When it fails, the under bonnet temperatures sky rocket pretty quick, and the charge air does the same, and power loss is the result.

If they have a look on their system they should find it.

 

[blackscooby]

That's exactly what I thought. Years and years ago I used to run an Impreza competition car. Now as we upped the boost (to 32PSI!) the intake temps rocketed which meant we had to cool the intakes more... bigger air to air intercooler, much more fuel (used as a coolant) to bring the intakes under control. It's one of those equations, more boost = more heat. More heat = less power per cubic CC of air impressed. Complete mind f*ck. More boost = less reliable turbo (1 every 6 months, along with a gearbox !).

Anyway back on topic.. bugger. Ah well I'll let them just do "their thing" and let em replace what the hell they like. I completely understand the Intercooler cooling issue, it was the air pump I didn't understand. Had no idea what it was !

Still, more new parts then !

Cheers

Mark

 

[Bobby Dazzler]

If it's any consolation, it will need the secondary air pump to be replaced any way. Shame it will necessitate several visits for stuff that could be done in one!!

 

[Bobby Dazzler]

As I said in a previous post, if they really can't find anything, ask them to check this bulletin:

P-07_00-28F 040204 Engine Controls - Lack of Power/Hesitation/MIL ON

 

[blackscooby]

As I said in a previous post, if they really can't find anything, ask them to check this bulletin:

P-07_00-28F 040204 Engine Controls - Lack of Power/Hesitation/MIL ON

It appears to be an ECU re-flash, which is what they've done.
"Lack of power under full acceleration and mid-range and/or upper long term adopatation values drifting to lean.

Hesitiation caused by two-footed driver, i.e., driver presses accelerator and brake at the same time"

I've just downloaded all the files from alldata, but as they're not named merely giff files which I cannot search easily it might take some time !

 

[blackscooby]

Wednesday's update !
Dropped the car off this morning for the issue of "Loss of power to be investigated further".
Got another C180K with no bloody fuel in it

Just got a call, they've identified a split vacuum pipe. Apparently this caused my Secondary Air pump to fail last time which has already been replaced.

Service are "confident" that this is the issue.... Saying that the mechanic is taking it home tonight to test it as I want this to be THE LAST TIME it fails otherwise I'll be far from amused. I've told em to keep the car until they can prove to me that it's resolved.

Aparently the split vacuum pipe is responsible for my outrageous 16 MPG !
(177 miles using 50 litres). This is driving like a granny with no foot to the floor exploits at all !

 

[Flash]

Service are "confident" that this is the issue.... Saying that the mechanic is taking it home tonight to test it as I want this to be THE LAST TIME it fails otherwise I'll be far from amused. I've told em to keep the car until they can prove to me that it's resolved.

Aparently the split vacuum pipe is responsible for my outrageous 16 MPG !
(177 miles using 50 litres). This is driving like a granny with no foot to the floor exploits at all !

Hopefully, this will be end of the matter.

I also hope that the Technician treats the vehicle with the utmost respect.

 

[blackscooby]

Hopefully, this will be end of the matter.

I also hope that the Technician treats the vehicle with the utmost respect.

I hope he drives the nuts off it and proves that it's good... obviously avoiding all speed camera's and traffic cars... Then parks it in a safe location overnight !

 

[Dieselman]

I think I just saw your car on Sky-Cops being chased by a Mitsu Evo and a helecopter...

 

[blackscooby]

I think I just saw your car on Sky-Cops being chased by a Mitsu Evo and a helecopter...

So long as it was putting some distance between the cop car, then my issue is resolved...

 

[Howard]

Nah ! Plods got one of those 161 mph Vectras .....

They were out 'testing' it when the mechanic came past in yours

 

[blackscooby]

Speaking to a neighbour of mine... he was on a shout when the lightbar destroyed itself on a T5 at 139 !
Said it was maxed and wouldn't do another MPH
**Wooo hooo** the AMG will outrun a plod car... however it woudn't outrun the radio !

 

[Dieselman]

Speaking to a neighbour of mine... he was on a shout when the lightbar destroyed itself on a T5 at 139 !
Said it was maxed and wouldn't do another MPH

That really isn't too clever, that means most E-class diesel are going to be home for supper quicker than a quick Plodd mobile.

 

[Howard]

Speaking to a neighbour of mine... he was on a shout when the lightbar destroyed itself on a T5 at 139 !
Said it was maxed and wouldn't do another MPH
**Wooo hooo** the AMG will outrun a plod car... however it woudn't outrun the radio !

Must be all the crap in the boot and the light bar creating drag , as i've been in one travelling a fair bit faster than that ......

Mind you thats only indicated speedo mph , Plod have a proper calibrated one don't they ....so maybe they are right ...

 

[blackscooby]

Car back now.
So the final inventory was :-
Vacuum pipe on air pump actuator (might be wrong with naming)
air pump
air pump relay (relay was stuck in "ON") hence why air pump expired
Intercooler pump.

Emissions were all over the place hence why it did appalling on fuel because of vacuum leak.

It's been thoroughly tested and the engineer was happy with it's performace saying it was bloody amazing.

So time will tell.

 

[Bobby Dazzler]

Glad it's (hopefully) sorted!!

 

[television]

stats007

The car may well have been running with the fault codes on his handheld diagnostic, as the codes were from the PREVIOUS time that sensor went out of spec.

The Crank Position Sensor has a habit of breaking down because of heat, and goes out of spec. The ECU then shuts down because it thinks the engine has stopped. You may well be doing 70mph on the motorway at that point, and indeed there are many instances of exactly that happening - the engine just cuts out without ANY warning.

Then after some time when the sensor has cooled down, it can come within spec again and the car will start.

In the meantime a fault code has been registered, but the car may drive perfectly well if you are just cruising around for example without the sensor overheating again.

In the end the sensor windings deteriorate and the fault gets progressively worse by being more frequent.

The Crank Position Sensor is the number one most important sensor, as it signals to the ECU that the engine has started to revolve, as soon as you turn the starter key/button.
Without THAT ONE signal everything else is superfluous.

Hope that helps.

Regards

I have to back Kieth286 on this. The engine could not start as it is the refference point to which the ignition fires, and it cant fire without it.
They are Hall effect switches and these can and do go faulty other than go-no go, they can go high resistance, low resistance and intermitant often temperture related as on the fault code chart put up by Stat007.


Malcolm