Does the kompressor run continually?

[sammys]

Hi everyone, can you tell me if the kompressor is supposed to run all the time?. I have recently bought a c180, and when the car is sitting at idle, I thought the revs were running too high, by the sound of it. The rev counter looked ok though. When I lifted the bonnet,I noticed that the super charger seems to be running all the time. The kompressor seems to be hunting a bit too. Is this normal?I know I will seem daft not knowing, but this is the first car I have had with this system. Thanks in advance fo any help.

 

[BlackC55]

Yes it runs all the time on the that engine.

 

[markjay]

I don't actually know how the kompressor on the 180k works, in spite of having a 180K myself...

But - on a general note supercharges are mechanical (or, in some case, electric) and the whole point is that they always work, providing power from idle as opposed to turbochargers which only provide boost at higher engine rev thus the infamous turbo-lag.

The supercharger pressure will increase with engine rev, however the power delivery should be linear from idle unlike turbochargers.

(for the best of both worlds, you should really have both!)

Based on that, I wouldn't worry about the kompressor working at idle.

 

[markjay]

Yes it runs all the time on the that engine.

well, that's the much shorter and much more accurate version...

 

[sammys]

kompressor

Brilliant, I love this forum. Thanks for the info. At this rate I will be learning something new every day.