Help! 2 month problem dealer cant fix!

[JonnyM]

I bought my 02 SLK 32 AMG in september 08 from dealer and took it back in december 08. It had two related problems, it hicups ( best way i can describe it ! ) and also when putting foot down to accelerate sometimes it does as it should with the kickdown expected of this car and fast acceleration, but other times it will accelerate very slowly or hardly at all. The revs go up but with very little or very slow acceleration. Two months since dealer first had it back, ( theyve had it back twice since and for total of 3 weeks!) it is still not fixed and dealer doesn't seem to know what to do.
Does anyone have any experience of this type of fault and can offer some much needed help.....

 

[Bobby Dazzler]

Welcome to the forum, and sorry to hear you're having difficulties.

Is it a Mercedes main dealer?

Can you describe the hiccup in a little more detail? I don't suppose it's under light acceleration at 1500 rpm by any chance?

Have they eliminated the intercooler pump? A known weakpoint and literally all power is lost when the intercooler pump isn't working. Can be intermittent too.

 

[seymansey]

The acceleration issue sounds almost exactly like the MAF - the engine will rev but with no torque (so to speak). The first issue might also be tied in with this too...

 

[JonnyM]

Hi and thanks for replying, yeah main dealer ( dont know whats protocol about naming n shaming on these forums and as im still reliant on them fixing it i'd better not !! )

They're not telling me anything really and I'm not that knowledgable so can't challenge them, hoping other members can give me some tips to throw back at them.

No, the hicup isnt limited to one speed or rev level, can happen at any but is naturally very noticeable at higher speeds and barely when tootling round town. Can be cruising at any speed from 40 to a highish speed ( 70 or so, not to incriminate myself!) the car will hicup/ stutter. its a very quick interruption to the power. Can then be ok for a few minutes or more then happen again.

 

[Bobby Dazzler]

OK that rules out a common problem. The torque converter locks up at 1500 rpm, and it often does so with what's usually described as a jerk. They all do that pretty much.

Lack of power though - I'd still be looking at intercooler pump. Might explain the hiccup too.

You mention a range of road speeds - have you noticed any pattern in engine speed (rpm)? The supercharger should be engaging 2700-2800 rpm, and could intereupt power delivery if there's a problem with engagement (uses supercharger clutch).

 

[JonnyM]

I think the problem is roughly across the 2500 plus range. I can be driving at low rpm and then go to overtake and the rev counter goes up and engine noise increases but the acceleration is not missing all together but very very slow, to the point where you cant even think about overtaking. I can also be at higher revs, around 3000 to 3500 and it will also hicup and have the same acceleration problem. Whenever it occurs, i have to back right off and try again. When this does work its only shortlived. The problem is persistent.

 

[Bobby Dazzler]

Sounds like the intercooler could be a prime suspect to me. You need to get them to eliminate it from the list.

 

[JonnyM]

I'll take it up with the dealer.

Many thanks again for your help. Will post back when Ive more news....

 

[DaveAVT]

I would take it to a rolling road for a quick power run and air/fuel ratio/boost pressure check personally. Even if the intercooler pump is not working, the engine should still make more power than a standard SLK320, so overtaking still should not be an problem, but if you are saying you dare'nt even overtake, so it sounds more like fueling to me, or maybe even a boost problem.

 

[JonnyM]

Hi Dave,

thanks for that, I'll look for nearest one to me and get it checked out.
Frustrating that I'm having to do what the MB "experts" should already have done but I just want to get it sorted out now.

Will post back when i know more.

 

[grober]

If you have a proper MB warranty then any MB dealer can repair your car. If the present dealer is having no success perhaps it might be worth taking it to another MB dealer Workshop to have a look at it.

 

[JonnyM]

Hi Grober,

dont want to bore you with whole saga but I bought the car ( 02 plate ) from a non MB showroom part of a MB dealer network and it came with a warranty from them. I live in the Lakes and the nearest MB dealer of this group is over an hour away. The next nearest is over two hours.

They spent a month arguing over honouring the warranty and now over a month now trying to find and fix the problems.

I asked them two weeks ago if there is somewhere I can take the car to have a more thorough inspection and I still havent had a reply.

 

[grober]

Hi Grober,

dont want to bore you with whole saga but I bought the car ( 02 plate ) from a non MB showroom part of a MB dealer network and it came with a warranty from them. I live in the Lakes and the nearest MB dealer of this group is over an hour away. The next nearest is over two hours.

They spent a month arguing over honouring the warranty and now over a month now trying to find and fix the problems.

I asked them two weeks ago if there is somewhere I can take the car to have a more thorough inspection and I still havent had a reply.

Fair enough-sounds as if you are tied to going back to the dealer you bought it from. Does this imply this dealer doesn't have access to MB star diagnotic equipment or has any mechanics familiar with MB systems? There really is no substitute in the case of mystery faults like this for the car being diagnosed by mechanics experienced in the model involved. Could you press the dealer you bought it from to get it looked over by the MB part of their organisation?

 

[JonnyM]

Sorry, didnt explain well, was trying to keep it short and not let my frustration run all over the page!!

Although dealer I bought car from doesnt sell MB theyre part of a network of dealerships that include MB and i have taken it into my local MB dealership as its part of this group.

I have found an old thread on this forum from a few years back from another 32AMG owner who had very similar probs.

mbclub.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=17237&page=3


Ive emailed this to the dealer so will see what they say.....

Thanks for your help.

 

[grober]

CHEERS Hope you get your problem solved soon.

 

[Adamerc]

Could it be Clutch Plate worn

 

[tbaxter]

Hi I have the same problem with my SLK 32. Did you ever get a resolution? mine has been on the latest MB diagnostic kit without finding anything wrong..... your help would be appreciated.

Thanks
Tony

 

[jaymanek]

have the plugs been changed?!

 

[Bobby Dazzler]

Hi I have the same problem with my SLK 32. Did you ever get a resolution? mine has been on the latest MB diagnostic kit without finding anything wrong..... your help would be appreciated.

Thanks
Tony

Tony

Welcome to MBClub.

Sorry to hear of your problems. As suggested to the original poster, the first thing you need to eliminate is the intercooler pump.

You can use a Ford Lightning pump (from the US) which is cheaper but requires the cable connectors to be tweaked when fitting. Failing that you can get an upgraded Johnson pump:

http://shop.code3performance.com/product.sc?categoryId=3&productId=15

I hope this helps.

 

[tbaxter]

Thanks for this, i'm heading of to the dealer this afternoon. i'll let you all know the outcome.