Mercedes vehicles continue to set standards in the automotive industry. They are known for their style, reliability, safety, and performance. It takes careful maintenance to ensure that Mercedes vehicles remain with the high-quality performance that drivers are used to.
The best way to do this is by following a set maintenance schedule. Even when following this schedule, there are going to be times when additional servicing needs to be performed. One such time is when there are issues with the compression. Continue reading to find out why compression is important, the reasons why low compression occurs, and how to fix it.
Engine Compression
For your Mercedes to start and remain running, an accurate compression process needs to occur. This process compresses the air and fuel mixture into a smaller volume within the engine cylinders. Once in the cylinders, the mixture is ignited and your Mercedes starts. The compression process will happen the entire time your Mercedes is running.
The air and fuel mixture needs to be compressed so it can be efficiently and effectively used. This efficiency decreases when low compression occurs. To address low compression issues, the reasons for the issue must be discussed so you know when to take your Mercedes in for servicing.
Reasons for Low Compression
The first reason for low compression is worn pistons or piston rings. Leaks in the piston or piston rings lead to the gases leaking into the compression cylinders. With these unwanted gases in the compression cylinders, the result is low compression. The compression cylinders operate under specific conditions, so gases from a piston or piston ring leak disrupt the compression process.
Leaks in the piston or piston ring occur when hot spots develop. The piston and piston rings are made out of aluminum alloy, and they are sturdy enough to withstand the heat produced by the engine. Over time, they will wear down and heat spots develop. Through these hot spots, the gases leak out into the compression cylinders and low compression occurs.
The second reason for low compression in a Mercedes is wrong camshaft timing. When the timing belt is worn or not fitted correctly, the camshaft timing will be incorrect. The camshaft has a valve that is partially responsible for controlling the exhaust gases that are created in the combustion chambers. When the timing belt is faulty, the camshaft has incorrect timing and this leads to a buildup of exhaust gases in the combustion chambers. This increase in exhaust gases causes low compression in a Mercedes.
The third reason for low compression is cracked compression cylinders. The pressure in the combustion chambers needs to be at a specific level to ensure that proper compression of the air and fuel mixture occurs. When there is a crack in the cylinders, low compression occurs. The cracks come from the high temperature of the engine. A crack in the compression cylinders can be identified by air bubbles in the radiator. These air bubbles come from the air leaking out of the cylinders and into the coolant fluid.
One last reason for low compression in a Mercedes is a faulty head gasket. The head gasket is responsible for creating an airtight seal between the engine head and the engine block. This airtight seal also helps the compression cylinders maintain the necessary pressure for the compression process. When the head gasket fails, the air and fuel mixture leaks out, causing low compression to occur.
Fixing the Low Compression Issues in Your Mercedes
Low compression affects the overall performance of your Mercedes. Without the proper compression level, you will experience 
delays in responsiveness and you may not be able to start your vehicle at all. So the moment you notice that your Mercedes is driving differently than normal, you should bring it into us at My EuroPro.
With our locations in Myrtle Beach, SC, Charleston, SC, and Wilmington, NC, you have plenty of trained and certified technicians available to you who are able and willing to service your Mercedes. The latest and most up-to-date tools are used to diagnose the exact reason for the low compression issue. Once this issue has been determined, high-quality parts are used to replace the necessary parts.
You will leave our shop feeling like part of the family and confident in the repair job that has been performed on your Mercedes. Call us today!
* Mercedes C63 AMG image credit goes to: tomeng.