'99 230SLK Compressor (Supercharger noise)
 

OK, I have a '99 SLK230 and the Supercharger is making a noise at an idle when it is engaged. It sounds like marbles rattling around (I'm diagnosing it as bearing noise). It clears up when I go rev it up and the compressor is engaged. I get no noise when the compressor clutch is not engaged. This ia all on the supercharge and has nothing to do with the A/C. I pulled information from WIS and it says that the supercharger (they call it the compressor) needs to have it's oil supply checked and special oil added. I was dismayed today when I wnet to my local MB dealer and they said it didn't have a separate oil supply and used the Mobil 1 from the engine. I then went home and called them back with the part number supplied in WIS for the special compressor oil and they looked it up and siad they didn't stock it and it was $80+ bucks for whatever unit they supplied it in (liter, I'm thinking). So, has anyone had a supercharger failure or problem? Anyone fixed one or paid for a new one? I have no engine lights on or anything like that but the nosie is not normal nor was it there earlier in the vehicles life. I've owned it since new.
I'm thinking I'm going to have to tear into it and fix it so any experiencd perspectives on the subject?
Thanks,
Wayne Hyde

Supercharger oil comes in a 5oz bottle...about $15 an ounce...

Possibly the belt tensioner(supercharger) is the problem.


The supercharger lists for $1500+ try the oil first..

Yikes, $75 for 5 oz of oil? I hope M.B.DOC means $15 a bottle.
Since we're on the subject, is it normal to add oil to the supercharger?

Eaton supercharger oil MB part number is 000-989-62-01 lists for $50. & contains 4oz.

Guess that is about $12. an ounce

Supercharger oil replacement?
 

Does anyone know if there is a maintenance interval for the supercharger oil? Does it need to be replaced, and if so, at what mileage? Many thanks.

Supercharger oil
 

I had a supercharged Pontiac Bonneville SSEI and bought a small bottle of the special SC oil for about $20. It had a special filler port with a separate screw fitting that I had to check every six months and the oil had to be up to the bottom of the filler hole (on top of the supercharger unit). I only added a miniscule amount of oil a couple of times over 3 or 4 years. Adding the oil to your Merc may solve the noise problem and I will bet that the GM SC oil at
$15 to $20 for a five ounce bottle will work fine. It is just a special heavier lubricant that withstands the SC pressures and heat.