Missionary

Hi folks.

I am getting the lifter clacks on a 2012 M156 after only 11K miles. Could this be possible. I would appreciate some feedback on the videos below.
Am I being paranoid here?

The thing I find odd is that this only happens on warm starts after sitting for little while but not at all when it is cold...


Cold start - left overnight (outside temp 40deg f):
https://vimeo.com/135758968

Warm start after sitting with shut down and restart:
https://vimeo.com/135779789

Details:
- W204 2012
- M156 156 985 60 072 159
- 11k miles
- 98RON fuel
- One month since oil change it looks like they used Castrol from the sticker on the windscreen.
- Oil level 1/4" below top mark.

Missionary

It definitely was lifter clacks. I updated the subject to reflect that.

I have a 1 year warranty on this car and wondering if these videos are proof enough to raise this? Is there any paper work on this issue that I should present to help support the claim?

Essentially I am wondering if I should I wait until this worsens or put this in immediately?

Any thoughts appreciated.
Many thanks in advance.

m a x i m u s

I hear some noise, but it doesn't seem out of the ordinary to me. I definitely had lifter noise, and it was much much more loud and pronounced. Dealer ended up replacing the tappets under warranty. How's your oil level?

Missionary

Thanks, that is somewhat reassuring.

So this is what I should expect from a new car or is there some wear starting to show up here?

Check the details section above for the oil level. I knew that would be the first question asked.

Odd that it would happen warm but not cold isn't it. Anyone have an explanation/theory for that?

AMGonFire

My car makes the exact same noise. It's not the lifters it's the cam adjusters. If your taking about that rattling sound on start up in second vid. I took it to the dealership played multiple videos on it they had my car for 2 weeks. End result they said it was normal for this car. They claimed the cams reset upon start up and it's slowly noisier because the way the oil drains takes few seconds to get up there. Said all of them do this. I spoke to the actual tech. He seemed very knowledgable and told me if there was somthing wrong he would fix it but it's normal been driving with the sound on start up for 5k miles no issues. I'm going to take it to another dealership for second opinion. If they say the same thing then it's the truth. If you google cam adjusters they had issues with PL motors but 2012 up have the updated lifters and adjusters. Also tech said if the sound never went away or a loud tapping noise constant was heard after then a problem. He also said he scoped my upper valve train and saw zero wear on any components on the drivers side where noise was.

naptownmike

I also had the same noise. My car is a 2013. Dealer had it for a while sending video's and recordings to Germany they changed a cam adjuster. The noise went away for a bit then returned. I have taken it back and they say its "normal". I don't really like it but at least its on record with the dealership if something should come up.

Missionary

Many thanks guys.

I have had a look at this thread:
https://mbworld.org/forums/w211-amg/...d-again-2.html

The videos there are the same noise and I see someone else had this issue when warm rather than cold.
Got to say I am curious as to why this might be...

It seems like it is not that trivial. I'll take it in. Just got to figure out where to go as it has an after-market warranty.

I see this related star bulletin:
http://www.motor-talk.de/forum/aktio...hmentId=716192

Is there anything else I should present when making the claim?

Missionary

Actually has anyone got access to any updates on that cam adjusters star bulletin. The one above S-B-05.20/20b was issued in 2009. Will it still be valid?

m a x i m u s

I've actually taken my car in multiple times for cam adjusters, and I asked my tech if it would cause damage if I didn't come in right away to replace in the future, he said "no".

Missionary

Yes understood, though I assume you have seen the results of failed adjuster.

How many times have you been in for cam adjusters BTW, I am curious if they replaced all 4 at once as per the SB?

I am about to forward this info to the dealer and want to make sure that the S-B-05.20/20b is the latest. Is anybody able to check this for me before I do?

m a x i m u s

I have an 09. I've been in three times. They changed the left bank intake and exhaust adjusters (intake twice) and the right bank intake adjuster. They have also replaced my tappets for the lifter tick. Needless to say, I've gotten my money's worth from the warranty. All these issues were at cold start up only, though.

AMGonFire

I showed the bulletin to the dealer as well that is not for your engine you have the updated ones just like mine. That is for a engine code 2010 years and before some 11s as well I showed them all videos and bulletin end result normal tech said I'm going to take it to another dealer just in case but guy seemed like he knew what he was talking about

Missionary

Yes that is exactly why I am wondering if the SB was updated to included the later models with regards, to cam adjusters. Understand the head bolts, lifters, and camshafts were fixed but nothing about the cam adjusters for post 2011 vehicles.

Technically mine is an 11/2011 engine number 072 159.

Loud clacks are/should not be 'normal' for any mechanical device save firearms and they only last 11 seconds of bullet time...

Essentially:
- Were the cam adjusters fixed and if so post what engine number?
- If not is there an updated Service Bulletin that technically covers the post 2011 motors for cam adjusters?

Missionary

Out of interest for anyone reading, could we have a show of hands for M156 owners that do NOT have this noise on start up cold or warm. Checkout the warm start video above for reference if needed.

AMGonFire

Not sure if yours does this if I cold start or warm start get the noise let run for minute shut off for a second or 2 start it up no noise same shut off again start no noise

solekeeper

that weird whining noise in the second video 0:05 to 0:10 seconds, is that normal? my car has been doing that.. sounds like the engine is dying or something.

Missionary

Thanks guys, so far we have no M156 owners with cam shaft adjuster clack free startups??