C230 Kompressor Failure
 

Purchased very clean, 1-owner 1999 C230K six months ago with 53,000 miles. After four months, the Kompressor stopped engaging. What was first diagnosed as an actuator problem now looks like a broken kompressor seal. Local dealer says total unit need replacement ($2000). Am I just unlucky or what? Dealer says only seen 3 such failures over the years with no consistent root cause. Questions: anyone with similar experience? Are there any aftermarket or remanufactured units available on the market? Do I have any other options but replacement? Thanks from new site member.

I've seen supercharger clutchs fail, but it's very unusual for the actual supercharger to fail, but i have seen them get quite noisy. Bearing noise is the only reason I've ever changed one and that's only when they're under warrenty.

I don't even know what a kompressor seal is, there really aren't any seals in these units.

do you have any more info on what they've told you and what they've checked so far

Thanks Alex. Guess I need to get more information. Dealer said oil was leaking into system (oil cooled unit?) indicating some kind of seal leak. Will get back.

weren't there a series of troublesome superchargers ( was it just noise? ) on these engines starting with the SLK?

also wasn't there a change in the compressor oil or frequency of oil changes ?


not sure just trying to recall

Try this: http://www.canadiansupercharger.com/benz_supercharger.html
$ 420.oo for a completely rebuild S/C sounds pretty good to me. ;)