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Help Identifying sounds

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Old Sep 4, 2021 | 06:21 AM
  #1  
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C250 Sport Sedan
Help Identifying sounds

2014 C250 Base Model
4-cyl, Turbo, 1.8 Liter
Auto, 7-Spd Touch Shift

Hey all,
Been trying to pin point what these sounds are. I am sure it is the turbo but what aspect of the turbo is it? The sounds only happens while under load and are more noticeable while in drive and the engine is cold but to a much lesser degree when moving up through the gears with the engine warmed up. No black, grayish white or any smoke coming through the exhaust and no codes are being thrown. Performance is reduced enough for my wife to notice (the safe and sane driver)

The first recording (driver side) is 17 seconds with the mic taped in the engine compartment to the driver side shock tower and I'm bringing on the throttle slowly. It has a stronger ticking component (like an exhaust leak) then the other recording. I was thinking (hoping) that its something to do with fuel injection but is probably related to the turbo.

The second recording (passenger side) is 29 seconds with the mic taped in the engine compartment to the passenger side shock tower about a foot away from the turbo. I'm on the throttle more aggressively in this one. This is a great recording if you're not the owner of the car as it is remarkably clear.. Had two device recording the same 4 minute drive. This is closer to the end of that drive. Any input would be greatly appreciated.

Related info: This issue came on after I had the car serviced at the dealership for a passenger side coolant pipe replacement that had a pinhole leak in it that I could not find. I refilled the coolant reservoir every 5 to 7 days with approx 8 oz of 50/50 each time. I did that on three separate occasions before getting it to the shop.
Attached Files
File Type: mp3
Driver Side.mp3 (132.5 KB, 56 views)
File Type: mp3
Passenger Side.mp3 (210.6 KB, 38 views)
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Old Sep 5, 2021 | 01:54 PM
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I just recently completed the same repair, for the same reason, on my 2013 C250 Luxury model. It is an easy repair that doesn’t require disassembly of other components. I have no new noises and no change in performance. I suggest that you return to the dealer and present them with these recordings and your observations on the power losses.
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Old Sep 5, 2021 | 10:22 PM
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Thanks for the input Odd Piggy. Solid advice. Before taking it in I would like to get to a comfortable understanding of the problem. Or at the very least a cause and effect understanding.

If I could push you for some particulars i.e., final diagnoses, associated cost, further/ worsening damage etc.

Regardless, I appreciate the input and ultimately will do exactly as you advise, eventually.
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Old Sep 6, 2021 | 01:30 AM
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Originally Posted by MrBiscuit
Thanks for the input Odd Piggy. Solid advice. Before taking it in I would like to get to a comfortable understanding of the problem. Or at the very least a cause and effect understanding.

If I could push you for some particulars i.e., final diagnoses, associated cost, further/ worsening damage etc.

Regardless, I appreciate the input and ultimately will do exactly as you advise, eventually.
I'm not a pro mechanic, one of whom I hope will chime in with an opinion. That said, I went to a device with better sound reproduction to listen again. The driver side recording seems to have a small tinny sound in the background. I can't ID it but it doesn't sound quite normal to me. On the passenger side, the ticking noise is pronounced and definitely not expected. A cracked or leaking exhaust manifold, a bad idler pulley bearing, or a scored valve follower all make a ticking noise. It seems to follow engine RPMs so maybe one of those. But there is no reason at all for the work that was done to have affected any of those areas. Then there is that tinny noise. It is much more pronounced on the passenger side recording. It's just not diagnostic for me.

However, the loss of performance is a real concern and. there is one place where the work done could have an impact. From your description, I think this is the leaking colant pipe you had replaced.

This part is supplied with a rubber boot that connects to air intake hose between the turbocharger and the air filter housing. That part is rather thin plastic and can get brittle. Others have cracked it when servicing parts connected to it or near it. If it is cracked, the sensors on it will send bad information to the ECM and can cause poor performance. I don't think this is the source of the noises, but it is a performance related item. It's typical for an MB dealer to tell you that it needed replacing and charge for it if it cracked during serving. But it's the only place I can think of that would affect performance after the repair you had done.
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Old Sep 6, 2021 | 10:24 PM
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100% correct that is the coolant pipe that was replaced and the reason I mentioned the repair is that I read that coolant contamination can destroy the bearings in the turbo. Since my knowledge of turbo systems in general are weak I don't know how feasible this is.

This sound presented itself later in the day after picking up the car from the dealer. (July 27th was when we picked up the car) I had the transmission's 70k service performed as well and it It sounded like an exhaust leak and thought they had maybe unattached the exhaust at the flange for better access to the tranny pan.I checked it out that weekend and the flange wasn't tampered with but that stopped me from doing what should have been done without hesitation, taking it right back to the dealer.

That secondary sound that is a whirling flapping (or frapping if that's a word) started coming on more and more this past week in a half, which is very hard to hear in the cabin. The performance is reduced but frankly cant tell how much because Im afraid of making it worse. But my wife takes it to work daily and she says if she didn't hear the ticking she wouldn't have notice any performance problems.

It might be very likely that there are two issues I'm dealing with. But the problem doesn't present while reeving in park and only happens under load. So back to the shop we go. Thank you Odd Piggy for the feedback. I will update the thread as soon as I know something.

Have had the car for 7yrs and is the first Mercedes we have owned and is the first time we've had to take it into the shop other then maintenance and recall repairs. This model is unbelievably perfect. My youth was spent on the back of 600cc motorcycles and the last 20 years my primary car has been and is a 69 mustang. In short I need this car in my life!
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Old Sep 7, 2021 | 12:07 AM
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I hope your dealer service department is as straightforward as the one I deal with. I can talk with the service tech who actually works on my car. I also have two trusted indie mechs who are factory trained.

We have been driving MBs for almost 20 years. It’s now all we have. The C250 is one of my favorites.

Keep us posted on the outcome. I learn something new just about every time I read a post.
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Old Sep 15, 2021 | 08:53 AM
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The secondary sound that is a whirling flapping and is the prevalent sound in the passenger recording is/was intermediate binding of the alternator pulley. Alternator and pulley will need to be replaced.

The primary ticking heard on the driver side recording and is much harder to hear is yet to be determined. I'll keep this thread posted when new info is available.

Thanks again Odd Piggy for the valuable input cause you kinda nailed it. Much appreciated.
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