C55 - Metallic Noise From Engine

Dec 23, 2009 | 12:10 AM

c5581

Thread Starter

Junior Member

Joined: Aug 2009

Posts: 33

Likes: 0

From: Philly, PA

C55

C55 - Metallic Noise From Engine

Sounds like a metallic (metal on metal) sound.

Only happens when engine is "cold"... ie hasn't been started in a while.

After a few minutes, the sound goes away. (I'm assuming once engine temps/oil gets to normal operating temp)

Did a search & read about lifters making a ticking sound.

Was wondering if somebody here experienced this sound first hand.

Thanks

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0JTbIC7zRQ8

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YvRmpQOP89c

Dec 23, 2009 | 01:11 AM

ML500K

Senior Member

Joined: Dec 2008

Posts: 343

Likes: 3

From: Taipei, Taiwan

C32 '02

suggest you open the hood and then film it. could be anything. belts, pulley etc....

Dec 23, 2009 | 03:15 AM

hooleyboy

Former Vendor of MBWorld

Joined: Jan 2007

Posts: 3,193

Likes: 3

From: Glendale Arizona

C55,SL55,C63

Quote:

Originally Posted by ML500K

suggest you open the hood and then film it. could be anything. belts, pulley etc....

+1 It really could be anything from a loose plug, belt, loud valve, loud rocker arm. Its so hard to say without putting your ear to it and I mean really putting your ear to it. I had a loud valve at one point. It turned out to be a loose plug wire. Its really hard to say because the camera does not have the same hearing dynamics ears do.

However opening the hood and moving the camera around could help. The noise "should" get louder as the mic from the camera passes by it. Just an idea.

Last edited by hooleyboy; Dec 23, 2009 at 03:18 AM.

Dec 23, 2009 | 03:37 PM

spr

MBWorld Fanatic!

Joined: Oct 2002

Posts: 1,598

Likes: 0

Take a sound file. I've had my air pump and fuel pump replaced which both made metallic like noises. I've also had tyne fan belt replaced but that's the normal noise-

Dec 23, 2009 | 06:10 PM

AMGSC

MBWorld Fanatic!

Joined: Dec 2005

Posts: 2,347

Likes: 1

From: So Cal

2006 Weistec 3.0L SC'd C55, 2006 MaxPsi PT6466 Turbo'd M3, 2019 Maserati GTS , 2020Alfa Quadrifoglio

I had a metal ticking noise when the engine is idling. Turned out to be a small exhaust leak.

Dec 23, 2009 | 07:27 PM

AMS Performance

Former Vendor of MBWorld

Joined: Sep 2008

Posts: 1,935

Likes: 5

AMG

could be lifters too, when weather is cold they tend to make terrible noises on start up (or could be a broken lifter as well). If it is lifters, try adding some Rislone to see if it frees up any sticky lifters (usually this will do it) but if its bad enough it may require a replacement of the lifters. Make sure you don't have any leaks of any kind (both intake or exhaust).

hope that helps,

Dec 23, 2009 | 09:32 PM

Fabio D

MBWorld Fanatic!

Joined: Nov 2008

Posts: 1,560

Likes: 10

210 55

I think is an exhaust leak, but anyway check your spark plugs (broken, or thigtens pair "someone can leak")

if you cn check with open hood is perfect

Fabio Daniel

6 Mercedes Models That Did NOT Age Well (But Are Somehow Still Cool)

Verdad Gallardo

Manual Mercedes? 6 Times Sindelfingen Let Drivers Have All The Fun

Verdad Gallardo

Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren

Verdad Gallardo

8 Classic Boxy Mercedes Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine

Verdad Gallardo

Flawlessly Restored Mercedes 190E Evo II Heads to Auction

Verdad Gallardo

Electric Mercedes C-Class Unveiled: 11 Things You Need to Know

Verdad Gallardo

Mercedes EQS Gets A Major Update: Everything You Need to Know

Verdad Gallardo

5 Underrated Mercedes-Benz Models That Don't Get the Love They Deserve

Verdad Gallardo

Mercedes 300D Has Pushed Well Past 1 Million Miles and It Ain't Stopping

Verdad Gallardo

10 Most Reliable Mercedes-Benz Models You Can Buy Used

Verdad Gallardo

Dec 24, 2009 | 01:58 PM

Steady

Newbie

Joined: Nov 2009

Posts: 7

Likes: 0

DC2R

we have seen instances on vehicles with lower miles having excessive carbon build up causing a ticking when cold. It soulds similar to lifter noise.

I would suggest a decarbon treatment. Its normal routine maintence and i would eliminate the most cost effective solutions first before jumping into replacing major items like lifters.

Dec 25, 2009 | 09:03 AM

#10

c5581

Thread Starter

Junior Member

Joined: Aug 2009

Posts: 33

Likes: 0

From: Philly, PA

C55

I did take a video with the hood open, but you could barely hear the ticking noise over the belt noises. It seemed like the sound was best captured near the wheel wells.

Like hooley said, the mic doesn't have the same range as the ear. In fact, the video makes it sound less like a metallic "machine gun" sound.

Hoping its not carbon buildup as it is a lower mileage car.

Thanks for the input guys.

I'll poke around some more later this weekend.

Dec 26, 2009 | 09:27 AM

#11

mkonei

Super Member

Joined: Mar 2008

Posts: 695

Likes: 0

From: Delran, NJ

05 C55

if youre in the Northeast area, i can let you know if its normal. i just turned 60k on mine, and am used to all the taps and sounds it makes. they are definitely not quiet engines!