R170 SLK 230 Strange 'pumping' type noise

[mattarazi]

Hi all,

Got an SLK 230 a week ago and haven't driven very much. When I have, have started to notice a weird noise.

Doesn't happen until warmed up - probably 3 minutes of running.

Touch the accelerator and RPM goes over 1200 - 1500 - there's a sort of 'pump' noise from the engine bay, sort of 3 or 4 pumps?

Let the revs drop below about 1200 - 1500 - same sort of noise, but possibly from somewhere else in the bay?

Perfectly fine in every other way, belts look OK, no codes on a cheap generic scanner, revs fine, kicks down OK, just this really weird kind of noise like a switch.

Anybody got any advice other than getting it looked at?! Thanks!

 

[mattarazi]

Can't see how to edit a post!

Have circled where the noise seems to be coming from

 

[SLKNick]

The item you have circled is the engine oil separator. No idea why it should be noisy, mine isn't, there don't appear to be any valves or other moving parts. Possibly one of the pipes has a slight blockage, I would start by cleaning everything out.

You can read more about it here Pelican Technical Article - Mercedes SLK 230 - Oil Separator Replacement

 

[Giantvanman]

Can you describe the noise more fully? Or post a clip of the sound?

 

[mattarazi]

Thankyou!

I'll have a closer look at the parts this evening. Will also try to get a clip of the sound itself - thanks again!

 

[mattarazi]

Just taken a couple of videos of the noise.

Inside car:

http://youtu.be/Xs71ZKg8-EI

Outside car:

http://youtu.be/lMady0-nTLQ

Not sure about the location now - was revving earlier and letting someone else listen

 

[BlackC55]

That's the cam advance magnet rattling. Its not a pumping noise. Costs about £700 to supply and fit one so not too expensive. Very common issue. We have fitted plenty over the years.

 

[SLKNick]

Oops, mine does that occasionally I had just assumed it was a heat shield rattling.

 

[Auto-mobile]

Just to add, I have never seen any ill effects from not having it replaced, it's ever so common and a lot of the cars that are fitted with the later m111 it's probably a false economy cost wise.

 

[mattarazi]

Cheers for the replies!

It does, as I said, drive fine. No error codes so my thoughts are its not doing any harm. It does make a bit of a racket but its not the end of the world.

At £700 that's a dealer phone (where I got it from) call tomorrow I think!!

 

[BlackC55]

Just to add, I have never seen any ill effects from not having it replaced, it's ever so common and a lot of the cars that are fitted with the later m111 it's probably a false economy cost wise.

I agree.

 

[John Jones Jr]

This might assist if that's the correct part number. You'll need to double check as it's two years ago when I purchased one and it was around €70 plus delivery from Germany.

Mercedes Benz Original Ersatzteile online bestellen www.MercedesTeileOnline.de - Elektromagnet A1110510177 Mercedes-Benz Originalteil Online kaufen

 

[BlackC55]

This might assist if that's the correct part number. You'll need to double check as it's two years ago when I purchased one and it was around €70 plus delivery from Germany. Mercedes Benz Original Ersatzteile online bestellen www.MercedesTeileOnline.de - Elektromagnet A1110510177 Mercedes-Benz Originalteil Online kaufen

That's just the magnet. Not the toothed gear that causes the noise.

 

[mattarazi]

Courtesy update for anyone interested!

Thanks to Olly at PCS, unfortunately they were just too far away to make sense.

Had a few specialists look at it and the unanimous decision was Olly was correct.

Could have been the spring but (just my luck) the gear assembly was worn. New unit? £505 plus VAT! Ouch.

Still, I bit the bullet after agreeing with the selling dealer and pleased to say the performance (and economy) is much improved, as well as the noise being totally solved.

Thanks to everyone for the advice, much appreciated.