traimpz348

How do you know when your warranty expires? Are all 2012's expired at this point?

ItalianJoe1

Dealer runs your VMI (vehicle master inquiry) to determine warranty start and end date. It can be from the production date, so in that case yes any MY2012 car is at least 4 years old. Some cases I see it triggered from the sale/in service date, in which case if the car was bought late in 2012 it would still be in the last part of warranty.

What are you trying to get done?

traimpz348

I hear this awesome ticking noise from the engine... (it is cold)

http://www.trainsimple.com/IMG_1716.MOV

I'm hoping it's not a huge expensive problem...

ItalianJoe1

Does it go away when warmed up? It's normally lifters on the 6.2L engines. Not really going to affect anything but yes it sounds bad and if you can get it fixed under warranty that's always nice. Call your local dealer and have them check your warranty eligibility.

If you are barely outside of your warranty, but have good history with the dealer (services done there, etc), they can try to goodwill it if it's reasonable. If your car has been out of warranty for 6 months or so it probably won't happen. Always worth a shot though.

traimpz348

Cool thanks. If I can't do you know how much it might cost?

Sandy Eggo

Not driving it much? That does sound like lifters.

Try this (can't hurt):

1. Buy a bottle of this - http://amzn.to/2cfPZuQ
2. Dump required amount in gas tank.
3. Fill / top-off tank with fresh gas - make sure it's quality stuff and highest octane available.
4. Give her an "Italian tune-up". Wait for Oil temp to reach at least 175dF and then find an open stretch of road to drive in the higher end of the rev-range for 15-20 minutes. Vary your revs and gears (i.e., don't just stick it at 6,000 and leave it).

I'll bet you a donut that the noise goes away. If it does, promise the AMG gods that you'll drive her more often.

traimpz348

Will try. Thanks for the advice... and yes you're right... not enough drive time at all.

ItalianJoe1

Gas additives won't help, but an oil additive may. Although, if you baby it all the time or don't drive it at all, the oil can get funny. There was another thread on here about people addressing the lifter noise with a different (non mercedes but approved) oil, which says it's not a real fault just a lack of exercise. Like any other sports car, they work much better when used as intended.

traimpz348

Ok. When I do drive it, I don't really baby it. The last two times though were just to the grocery store and barely got up to temp, so of course I took it easy. I'd say the average is every two weeks I take it out, but there was a stint were it was once every four weeks.

Multiple cars, and work, sometimes make it difficult. I'll just make sure to take all my cars out once a week from here on out (at least until winter).

Sandy Eggo

Re: gas additives. Maybe, maybe not. Fwiw, I did say "(it) can't hurt". Cheap stuff and I've always had very good results using the RedLine gas additive. If nothing else, it'll do wonders to help clean off deposits due to running infrequently and not fully up to temps.

I get you. Good problems to have. The Rx is to get up at the crack of dawn on a Sunday and take the very long way to Starbucks. Once you arrive, you'll find you really don't need the caffeine any longer since that W159 engine has made you all jittery.

traimpz348

I owe you a donut : ) Local shop had redline. Did the "tune-up" ... no more knocking sound!

Thanks!!

Sandy Eggo

Good stuff! The real test is does it still make the noise the next time you cold-start the car. If not, then I'll take my donut!

haa

you can also check your warranty status at the Mercedes Me website once you register your car and yourself as an owner:
https://www.mbusa.com/mercedesme/index

traimpz348

Took the car out this weekend. On a cold start, the noise was very very subtle. I doubt I would have noticed it if I was really trying to listen for it...

Sandy Eggo

I think it'll fade to nothing after another good thrashing.

traimpz348

I also found out my warranty expires on Nov. 30th. Should I try and get an extended warranty?

NewportSLS

It's gambling really. But you will sleep better at night!