Still Ticking
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2004 SLK32 AMG
Still Ticking
Guys,
I haven't posted much around here, but given the level of activity in these forums regarding my engine versus the level of activity on other boards I figured I should post here too! Hopefully someone can either smack me in the face and call me paranoid (which I am) or confirm my feelings and hopefully I can do something about this!
Anyhow, I posted some time ago about some ticking and noise coming from the engine. I took it into the dealer and they actually elected to replace the whole rocker arm assembly, which surprised me. However, while I do believe the sound is better there is still something there.
The whole time I've suspected that I have an exhaust leak, just because the car just doesn't drive QUITE right. I know that's vague, but there's just not the responsiveness I would expect, even if it is a drive-by-wire car. It's plenty fast (kept up and actually pulled slightly on a CTS-V driven by one guy, while I had another passenger and the top down) but something is just...off.
Anyway, I've taken an admittedly poor quality sound sample (had to use my gaming headset) of starting and running the engine from within the engine compartment with the hood up. Especially toward the end you should be able to hear the slight ticking that I'm talking about. The dealer acknowledges that it's there, but they wouldn't do anything else under warranty and charged me 1/2 hour labor to look at it.
If anyone thinks there is a possibility of an exhaust leak, what, if anything can I do to provide proof to the dealer that there is an exhaust leak and they need to fix it?
Thanks in advance! Here is the link:
Engine Start / Run Sample
I haven't posted much around here, but given the level of activity in these forums regarding my engine versus the level of activity on other boards I figured I should post here too! Hopefully someone can either smack me in the face and call me paranoid (which I am) or confirm my feelings and hopefully I can do something about this!
Anyhow, I posted some time ago about some ticking and noise coming from the engine. I took it into the dealer and they actually elected to replace the whole rocker arm assembly, which surprised me. However, while I do believe the sound is better there is still something there.
The whole time I've suspected that I have an exhaust leak, just because the car just doesn't drive QUITE right. I know that's vague, but there's just not the responsiveness I would expect, even if it is a drive-by-wire car. It's plenty fast (kept up and actually pulled slightly on a CTS-V driven by one guy, while I had another passenger and the top down) but something is just...off.
Anyway, I've taken an admittedly poor quality sound sample (had to use my gaming headset) of starting and running the engine from within the engine compartment with the hood up. Especially toward the end you should be able to hear the slight ticking that I'm talking about. The dealer acknowledges that it's there, but they wouldn't do anything else under warranty and charged me 1/2 hour labor to look at it.
If anyone thinks there is a possibility of an exhaust leak, what, if anything can I do to provide proof to the dealer that there is an exhaust leak and they need to fix it?
Thanks in advance! Here is the link:
Engine Start / Run Sample
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From: STL
W203 C230SS
it sounds to fast to be an exhaust leak- unless you have multiple leaks, which i would kinda doubt.
the speed and pitch of the sound amost sounds like the injectors opening/closing. can you tell if it's coming from them? maybe a little bit like valvetrain/lifter noise. just curious- what weight oil are you using?
how many miles do you have on the car?
the speed and pitch of the sound amost sounds like the injectors opening/closing. can you tell if it's coming from them? maybe a little bit like valvetrain/lifter noise. just curious- what weight oil are you using?
how many miles do you have on the car?
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2004 SLK32 AMG
Doesn't that seem loud for injectors? I can try.
As for the lifters, they just replaced the whole lifter assembly and they refused to do it again, so I'd like to explore other options first.
As for oil, I couldn't say for sure. Slap me, but I allowed the dealer to do the change when I took it in for my A service, which is the same time they told me that the ticking was there but there was nothing they were going to do.
The car has just over 36,000 miles. Too low for this kind of noise in my book.
As for the lifters, they just replaced the whole lifter assembly and they refused to do it again, so I'd like to explore other options first.
As for oil, I couldn't say for sure. Slap me, but I allowed the dealer to do the change when I took it in for my A service, which is the same time they told me that the ticking was there but there was nothing they were going to do.
The car has just over 36,000 miles. Too low for this kind of noise in my book.
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From: STL
W203 C230SS
Did they replace the lifters or rockers? You original post says rockers, then you just stated lifters. If they used a thinner weight oil this time around, that could add to the noise the engine makes possibly.
I've heard injectors that were pretty loud before- hard to say though since we are just listening to a recording- a lot of variables there.
If they (the dealer) says there is nothing wrong with it, and it's still under warranty, it doesn't seem like there is much you can do besides keep an eye (ear) on it. Worst case scenerio- it's documented in their system that you thought there was a noise that needed to be addressed, in case of future problems after the warranty is up.
I've heard injectors that were pretty loud before- hard to say though since we are just listening to a recording- a lot of variables there.
If they (the dealer) says there is nothing wrong with it, and it's still under warranty, it doesn't seem like there is much you can do besides keep an eye (ear) on it. Worst case scenerio- it's documented in their system that you thought there was a noise that needed to be addressed, in case of future problems after the warranty is up.
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From: San Francisco, CA
W203 C32 AMG, W124 E300D
That sounds exactly how my C32 sounded!
It might be your purge valve.
https://mbworld.org/forums/showthrea...022&highlight=
It might be your purge valve.
https://mbworld.org/forums/showthrea...022&highlight=
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2004 SLK32 AMG
Did they replace the lifters or rockers? You original post says rockers, then you just stated lifters. If they used a thinner weight oil this time around, that could add to the noise the engine makes possibly.
I've heard injectors that were pretty loud before- hard to say though since we are just listening to a recording- a lot of variables there.
If they (the dealer) says there is nothing wrong with it, and it's still under warranty, it doesn't seem like there is much you can do besides keep an eye (ear) on it. Worst case scenerio- it's documented in their system that you thought there was a noise that needed to be addressed, in case of future problems after the warranty is up.
I've heard injectors that were pretty loud before- hard to say though since we are just listening to a recording- a lot of variables there.
If they (the dealer) says there is nothing wrong with it, and it's still under warranty, it doesn't seem like there is much you can do besides keep an eye (ear) on it. Worst case scenerio- it's documented in their system that you thought there was a noise that needed to be addressed, in case of future problems after the warranty is up.
As for the purge valve, that was just replaced and this sound is rpm related, but thanks!
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From: STL
W203 C230SS
interesting- i didn't know the lifters and rockers could be replaced as one assembly.....at least not in any chevy, ford, or dodge engine i have been inside. granted, this is a different beast. i've heard of shaft mounted rockers which would be an entire assembly.
maybe i just need to quiet down until i can find an exploded view of the 32 engine just to see how exactly it's put together
either way- that noise still sounds like injectors to me- but a little louder than usual though.
maybe i just need to quiet down until i can find an exploded view of the 32 engine just to see how exactly it's put together
either way- that noise still sounds like injectors to me- but a little louder than usual though.
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2004 SLK32 AMG
From what I gathered, the 32 only comes as a whole assembly. As to the specific layout of the individual parts, I'd be the wrong person to ask!
It does sound a bit like injectors, but this seems WAY too loud listening to it in person. Wish I had a better recording :/
It does sound a bit like injectors, but this seems WAY too loud listening to it in person. Wish I had a better recording :/
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c32
im betting its either injectors or oil weight. i have an srt-10 truck and people have written that they get a ticking when they put the wrong weight of oil in(the viper engines also require mobil 1 so this may be the problem). i would bring that up with the dealer and ask if they could change the oil for you for peace of mind, you can even keep the same milage till next service so theyll still get you for the next service.
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2004 SLK32 AMG
I suppose that is a possibility, though it's been there for some time before this last oil change. They did change the oil once before when they had to replace my oil level sender, so maybe they put the wrong weight in at that time and replaced it with the same? I don't know; I've never been satisfied with the car for one reason or another, but I honestly can't remember having this ticking that far back.
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From: STL
W203 C230SS
i agree with the above statement. if you are anything like me- you can let your mind talk you into creating a mountain out of a mole hill. i don't think i would worry about it. only 36k miles- you've got a fair amount more until the warranty runs out. if it's any real problem, i would guess the failure would happen prior to warranty expiration.
that's why i asked about the possible oil weight. for example- i put lighter oil in my motorcycle this time around because it's all i had in the shop. the engine makes a fair amount more mechanical noise now.
that's why i asked about the possible oil weight. for example- i put lighter oil in my motorcycle this time around because it's all i had in the shop. the engine makes a fair amount more mechanical noise now.
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2004 SLK32 AMG
i agree with the above statement. if you are anything like me- you can let your mind talk you into creating a mountain out of a mole hill. i don't think i would worry about it. only 36k miles- you've got a fair amount more until the warranty runs out. if it's any real problem, i would guess the failure would happen prior to warranty expiration.
That's why I'm scrambling to try to get this taken care of now. I recognize that I have a fair chance of getting comp'ed service after warranty expiration given that this complaint is on file (especially since I just paid them $500 to change my oil, cabin filter, and essentially kick the tires), I'd still much rather get it taken care of when there's absolutely no question that MBUSA's going to be footing the bill for the repair.
As a side symptom (that may or may not be related to this), occasionally when I am coasting then apply some gas, the engine sounds and feels as if it was about to choke out. It's only for a moment, but it's disconcerting nonetheless. Almost as if the transmission is in a higher-than-appropriate gear and the TC mostly or fully engages, causing the RPM's to drop. This is an inconsistent problem, and I haven't been able to get the service department to reproduce it. Again, no idea if it's related or not, but I figured I'd throw it out there.
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From: South Jersey
2002 C32 AMG
Granted, it might sound different in person, but from what I can hear in the sound clip, I would say it is normal (well, it sounds just like mine anyway). It might be annoying, but I don't think you need to worry about longevity. It does sound like valvetrain noise, but that is normal for a lot of cars.
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From: SCV SoCal
2002 CLK430
valvetrain noise should be addressed sooner than later
Valvetrain noise is usually an indication of an excessive clearance issue. It’s been my experience that unaddressed valvetrain clearance issues commonly result in either a flat cam or damage to the valve stem tip and rocker. If the cam goes flat, hopefully the metal from the lobe wear gets trapped in the filter. If not, bearing (mains, rod, or cam) and/or valve guide wear will ensue. A mechanic’s stethoscope can help determine whether you’re hearing valve noise.
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2004 SLK32 AMG
Valvetrain noise is usually an indication of an excessive clearance issue. It’s been my experience that unaddressed valvetrain clearance issues commonly result in either a flat cam or damage to the valve stem tip and rocker. If the cam goes flat, hopefully the metal from the lobe wear gets trapped in the filter. If not, bearing (mains, rod, or cam) and/or valve guide wear will ensue. A mechanic’s stethoscope can help determine whether you’re hearing valve noise.
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Marcus,
The problem has been linked to "excessive carbon buildup". What happens is that since the lifters are hydrolic carbon plugs the oil holes at least somewhat and they don't pump up all the way. This is a concern because what you hear is slap on the cam which CAN cause wear no matter what they hell they tell you. However when the oil warms up it usually heats up the carbon and it flows through and the noise/lifter pumps up and is fine. I found the best way to resolve this issue is after the car is warm to do an "Italian Tune up" as someone called it.
The problem has been linked to "excessive carbon buildup". What happens is that since the lifters are hydrolic carbon plugs the oil holes at least somewhat and they don't pump up all the way. This is a concern because what you hear is slap on the cam which CAN cause wear no matter what they hell they tell you. However when the oil warms up it usually heats up the carbon and it flows through and the noise/lifter pumps up and is fine. I found the best way to resolve this issue is after the car is warm to do an "Italian Tune up" as someone called it.
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2004 SLK32 AMG
Marcus,
The problem has been linked to "excessive carbon buildup". What happens is that since the lifters are hydrolic carbon plugs the oil holes at least somewhat and they don't pump up all the way. This is a concern because what you hear is slap on the cam which CAN cause wear no matter what they hell they tell you. However when the oil warms up it usually heats up the carbon and it flows through and the noise/lifter pumps up and is fine. I found the best way to resolve this issue is after the car is warm to do an "Italian Tune up" as someone called it.
The problem has been linked to "excessive carbon buildup". What happens is that since the lifters are hydrolic carbon plugs the oil holes at least somewhat and they don't pump up all the way. This is a concern because what you hear is slap on the cam which CAN cause wear no matter what they hell they tell you. However when the oil warms up it usually heats up the carbon and it flows through and the noise/lifter pumps up and is fine. I found the best way to resolve this issue is after the car is warm to do an "Italian Tune up" as someone called it.
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2004 SLK32 AMG
Unfortunately that's my assumption 
I've run Lucas through with fair results before (nothing bad, anyway, and might have run smoother for that tank), but I don't know if that would clear up what we're talking about or not.
Anything I can do aside from the Italian tuneup?
I've run Lucas through with fair results before (nothing bad, anyway, and might have run smoother for that tank), but I don't know if that would clear up what we're talking about or not.Anything I can do aside from the Italian tuneup?
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From: South Jersey
2002 C32 AMG
Valvetrain noise is usually an indication of an excessive clearance issue. It’s been my experience that unaddressed valvetrain clearance issues commonly result in either a flat cam or damage to the valve stem tip and rocker. If the cam goes flat, hopefully the metal from the lobe wear gets trapped in the filter. If not, bearing (mains, rod, or cam) and/or valve guide wear will ensue. A mechanic’s stethoscope can help determine whether you’re hearing valve noise.
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2004 SLK32 AMG
If it is severe enough, possible valve damage is a concern, but the SLK/C32 has roller rockers, so I wouldn't worry too much about excessive cam wear. The sound clip didn't sound too severe anyway. If it does get to that point, you will probably experience some lost performance on the top end; excessive valve train noise can be misinterpreted by the knock sensor(s) causing timing to be pulled. Have you noticed any decrease in performance?
I do have a Carsoft 7.4 interface and the software on my laptop. Would that be useful in any of this diagnosis?
