Boris_C63

It was a faulty lifter afterall, not a camshaft adjuster. Dealer replaced it free of charge and was Very apologetic! The noise did come back once on the morning startup, but then went away. Have not heard it since for 3 months! There should be a recall on these, just saying.

vmx128

Thanks for the update Boris. Based on your knowledge of this issue, would you recommend I take my car to the dealer immediately? I don't know much about lifters and how this fault could affect the engine.

GHAZAN

Which dealer?

Boris_C63

Based on dealer's reaction when they heard the noise and their willingness to replace the part I'd say take it to them ASAP and have them replace it. It is NOT normal and should be fixed. If there is inadequate oil distribution to the cylinders via the lifter that is causing them to make this noise, it is not OK to keep ignoring it.

PistolWhipC63

What exactly is the lifters? I think i might have this problem considering my oil temp wont stay at a constant 215 and drops to 200F and back up to 215 periodically.

Sincity

BUMP

Merc63

A lifter is what pushing the valves open when it comes in contact with the lobe on the cam shaft. The M156 engine has hydraulic lifters which fill with oil to always have the perfect clearance at any engine temperature.

I doubt they are the cause of your finicky oil temp readings.. I suspect that would be the oil temp sensor.

If you have bad lifters you will hear a TICK or CLICKING sound that revs in relation to the engine RPM.

ATT

I have the same problem and end up with a set of lifter and a worn cam replaced under the warranty. Should send it to the dealer as soon as possible.

SonnyakaPig

Really, a worn cam?

May I ask 3 questions?

1) So, your car displayed the exact problem that is the subject of Mr. Chan's class action lawsuit against MB?

2) Did the dealer say any of the particulates from the worn cam moved and settled about your valvetrain?

3) Did the dealer tell you they replaced the worn cam with a new cam that is made of a different material than the one that wore prematurely?

blownS

A class action lawsuit was filed, alleging a defect in the M156 motor. There was a very informative thread made in this forum, which has since been mysteriously deleted.

4ramin

+1 it could be the lifters pumping back up, short drive and it will go away...

ATT

1) Yes

2) they show me the photo of the worn cam and hole in the lifter, they send in for the claim of parts

3) No, in Toronto all Dealers are owned by MB, they won't tell you anything to against them, right?

SonnyakaPig

Thank you for your feedback.

ATT

Regarding the Class action, I don't think much can be done, because in most cases the repair under the warranty and look like all these problems happened on the earlier production cars. Hopefully these problems do not come back.

SonnyakaPig

Unfortunately, word is the cams have never been changed/improved upon and they are the claimed defective parts in the lawsuit.

So, when MB replaces the cams under warranty, the fear is that they are replacing the cams with the same cams.

This is what has been explained by those who have seen the cams in M156's from different model years--including current MY's.

4ramin

How many miles on the car ?
What year was your car made?

16NiSSC350

So general consensus… If you hear any kind of ticking, take it straight to the dealer??

Merc63

A loud ticking is what I gather.

You guys got me all paranoid, I spent half an hour outside listening for ticks.

My car will tick for 1-2 seconds upon a cold start as the lifters fill with oil but after that i can barely hear any ticking, a very slight valve train noise but nothing like posted in some of those youtube videos where the lifters are ticking loudly.

ATT

December 2008 and presently 42,000.00 KM, I put on 1,000 KM after repair and have not push the car hard since then. By the way, I haven't really hard on it since new.

4ramin

Thank you , I'm trying to see at how many miles I should expect this.

SonnyakaPig

No. The valvetrain on our cars will always make a ticking sound when the car is running, more so when the car is starting cold and has been sitting at least a day.

But, if the ticking grows louder in proportion to the pressing of the accelerator, it is probably a good idea to go to the dealer.

Merc63

My paranoia paid off. Other day I start the car, TICK TICK TICK. Sounds like a lifter. I recorded it on my phone. I don't really recall it ever making this noise before it was really noticeable and could be heard clearly from outside and inside the car. It increased and decreased with the RPM.

I let the car warm up, the noise was still the same, went around the block and hammered it to bring the oil pressure up and the ticking went away.

I couldn't reproduce the noise for the tech, but burned the video on a CD. They are replacing the cam tensioner's next week after the parts arrive. I explained that it sounded like a stuck lifter, but they said its too hard to determine from a video recording... Also going in for a left bank lean code which is the second time they are attempting to remedy the CEL.

BerBer63

Mine was built November 2008, but haven't really heard ticking since 10k miles. Now I'm at 31k running it hard...? I'll pay attention but all I hear are power steering and suspension noises from time to time

bushburninc63

I might have to record my ticking noise next time I hear it.

ATT

check any rough idling occured