Granzfuzz

Hey!

I'm new here and a new Mercedes owner, very proud!
I've read A LOT about many things about this car for a long long time, and this issue that have accured have got me stuck on google for days...
I can't really find an answer, even though I really tryed.
I hope you guys can shed me some light before I take it to (an expensive) check. If it's normal then I wont take it there.

Some info: Mercedes C63 AMG, 2008, P30. ~95000km.
Everything is in top notch condition, palladium silver and beige interior mixed with black and silver. Very nice! The dealer I bought it from seems legit, he have good ratings and a nice person. But he is a middle hand so I don't know about the real seller... If he hides something.

Anyway, it went in for a total checkover before I bought it, (the seller did it) and he said nothing came out. (Also called the company to verify it and they said the same). Only some broken lights. Also found out today it have a recall order from the Mercedes company regarding SRS system not working.
(So dunno if the company that checked my car did a good job?)
But Mercedes will cover the cost of that SRS change.

Back to my problem. The car have an constant ticking noise coming from the engine block, and from the cam shifters area. It wont go away even if the car is warmed up and only stops when I turn of the engine.

When I rev the car the ticking noise follows the revs, ie getting faster and slower depending on the revs.

I have added a audio link below for you guys to listen to, I have plenty more around the engine, so if you want other noise sample I got it!

I would appreciate all the help I can get, Im used to work with cars (Audi s3, BMWs etc) but this is totally new for me.

Everything would be great!

Here is the audio clip: http://vocaroo.com/i/s1HysPjQkkTS

Cheers!

SuperFastYo

Probably lifters. I get it when my car needs a little extra oil too. Just check your oil level, add a bit and it should go away

INS1GNIA

At least post pics of your car lol...this is only the first page about 2,930 (yes exact number) results I found.

https://mbworld.org/forums/c63-amg-w...ing-noise.html
https://mbworld.org/forums/c63-amg-w...rning-off.html
https://mbworld.org/forums/c63-amg-w...cking-top.html
https://mbworld.org/forums/c63-amg-w...se-engine.html
https://mbworld.org/forums/c63-amg-w...ing-sound.html
https://mbworld.org/forums/c63-amg-w...ng-engine.html
https://mbworld.org/forums/c63-amg-w...sound-c63.html
https://mbworld.org/forums/c63-amg-w...-start-up.html
https://mbworld.org/forums/c63-amg-w...ngine-bay.html

Granzfuzz

Thanks for the fast response!

Yea i've read them all haha.. Most of them don't have a final answer, and some have the issue but it goes away when warm. Honestly couldn't find something that resolved it. So I made my own.

It was at service about 4 month ago, new oil and filter. (Got the car 2 weeks ago)
And when I checked the oil it was where it should be, even a tiny bit more, would that result in an issue?
Shall I try do a complete oil change and see if it continues?

Edit: Oh and I will post pictures tomorrow

SuperFastYo

delete.

Granzfuzz

I'll also add that it wont go away when warm, or driven hard as many of the post i've searched stated. If that was the case I wouldn't be worried. Oil level is at max and it was served not long ago. When I see post that state it doesn't go away when warm the answers is mostly change of cam adjusters and lifters, which is expensive... But they didn't post a clip of the sound, so not sure mine is the same.

New to merc so any sound that im not use to hear makes me worried :S

BLKROKT

The only permanent "solution" is to rebuild the top end of the engine. They all make lifter noise, it's just something you have to live with.

SuperFastYo

If you hear knocking I'd start to get worried more.

Jasonoff

It's just bucket/lifter/tappet wear. If you replaced them all it will likely be less noisy.

This is mine after doing HBs, (116k km ~ 72k miles) and I had barely any wear on the bucket surfaces.

SuperFastYo

I think this thread cursed me, went out to my car on a break from work and it started ticking lol. (stopped after warm up )

Granzfuzz

Thanks guys, your info made me a lot at ease. I have headache from all google/MBforums searches, haha...

Just to clearify, this is all normal then? Even if it still ticks after the car have been warmed up and driven for 40-50 mins?

Jasanoff: That clip is exacly like my sound, but do yours go away when warm? And do it go faster the more you rev at neutral?

Your comment SuperFast didn't calm me though, haha! As it went away when warm!

Jikes, im sorry if I repeat myself but I get worried sick by this kind of things.
My last car (Audi s3) had another sound but that was timing belt needed to be changed, then it went away. Took me a week to change that... The belt is behind and under the engine, great job Audi! Lol

SuperFastYo

I panic posted when it happened to me too. I wouldn't worry about it, change the oil and enjoy the car. if it turns into more of a knock then start pulling stuff apart.

Jasonoff

Not sure what you're talking about. Mine is as quiet as a mouse.

It's your valve train, so yes, it will go faster with higher rpm.

Vpatriota

Haven't we all? I was right there once, and probably posted that same question here.. I'd like to apologise to BLKROKT, AMG 3.2, SuperFastYo, 604 C63, INS1GNIA and the other elders that actually took good care of me and answered lots of my newbie questions! much respect, granpa's!

Granzfuzz

Yeah much appreciated Thats why I came here too. Before I had always found the problem online, searching on google and found the answers fast. This was the first time that I couldn't. But im much more calm now, cheers!

Jasanoff: I didn't have my headphones on and thought I heard the same ticking, but I didn't.

Here is a much clearer audio than my first of the ticking:

http://vocaroo.com/i/s0RV7O8O1uaO


Guess I'll just change oil and stop hitting myself with the paranoid stick. Haha..


Edit: Just about to order the oil, which one do you guys recommend? Motul 8100 X-cess 5w40 or Castrol Edge 0w-40 a3/b4?
My climate here in Sweden is pretty cold at the moment..

Vpatriota

Damn, those are noisy lifters

shadenfroh

You're in Sweden, get the 0w40. I personally use Motul 8100 X-max, but you'll be fine as long as you get an MB-approved one.

PS: Nothing bad will happen if you get the 5w40, but the 0w40 will give it that little extra bit on cold starts.

adl320

Hi Granzfuzz,

Happy New Year! Was wondering if you've come to any conclusions with your lifter noise? Unfortunately it is a common thing with the M156 motor as you may have read because the Camshaft and bucket-type lifters are made of two different materials. One is softer than the other (forget which at the moment) so they wear unevenly causing the noise that you hear.

Oil Bleed down is another issue which causes the "ticking when cold but goes away when warm" symptom many have discussed. I presume if the noise is constant, even when warm and at a similar sound level, it would more than likely be not enough oil, a circulation problem, or well-worn lifter(s) which will need to be replaced.

I recently bought an '07 CLS 63 with 56K miles. I've made a few recordings of my motor sounding the same on cold start with the ticking. It always goes away when warm however or is only barely audible when warm. Prior to this, I owned an '05 C55 AMG (M113 engine) and every now and then, I'd hear the same cold start ticking but never when warm. Usually a slightly low oil level was the culprit. That car consumed about a quart of oil every 1,500 miles or so. Normal in the AMG motors but so far, I've not added any oil to my CLS.

I've heard some say to change from 0W40 to a 229.5 approved 5W40 oil which is apparently what AMG now recommends. That will work in warmer climates but may be a little too think for colder climates. I live in Arizona so no issues with that! I'm due for a change next week and may try the LiquiMolly 229.5 approved 0W50 to see if I get quieter cold starts with no ticking.

If this does not help, then it's possible there will come a time to think about replacing lifters. I'll have to report back on the results of switching from 0W40 to 5W40 if I make the change next Tuesday.

Best,

Jasonoff

There's no 50wt on the 229.5 spec. Or did you mean 0W40-->5W40, because a 50wt in the M156 may cause pressure issues.

https://bevo.mercedes-benz.com/bevolisten/229.5_en.html

Mort

I think he got it correct in his last sentence. Just didn't realize his mistake in the body of text or didn't bother to go back and edit it.

Jasonoff

It could potentially be a costly mistake if that's not the case.

adl320

TOTAL mistake guys! My bad and thanks for the catch and correction. I did indeed mean 5w40! I've fixed my original post.

Thanks and happy new year!

adl320

So completed the oil change last week with a switch from Mobil1 0w40 to LiquiMoly 5w40. So far, I've had a few cold starts and noticed the noisy lifter is a bit quieter but it really wasn't that bad to begin with. Other than that, the engine is super quiet at idle, especially once warm. So, nothing conclusive with the switch in oil but I feel good knowing the 5w40 is approved and the LiquiMoly is as good if not a little better than the Mobil 1.

Marco R

Hi! I'd like to know what happened to your car at the end, what did you do? My c63 2010 arrives next month and it says on the inspection sheet "engine noise" that freaks me out.