Vibration at Idle on my car HELP!!

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Oct 19, 2014 | 03:17 AM
  #1  
My 2009 ML63 (yes is a ML63 sorry for posting in this w204 page but here has the most M156 owners so I am just thinking it might be best to ask all the M156 experts here, if is not ok admin can delete it) has 120000km on it now and it was all fine until last weekend all of a sudden I felt vibration when I stop at a stoplight. I can feel the vibration sitting in the car and feel it from the steering wheel also. I check the car out and found I have low steering fluid so I fill it up and thought it would go away but it haven't. So I think if it would be the MAF sensor so I took them out and cleaned and reinstall everything including new air filters but no luck. I tried unplugged the MAF sensor and drive the car for a bit and still no luck so it seems not to be the MAF problem.

My question is that will it still be the steering pump problem even after I refill the fluid, but the pump has already gone wrong and creates vibration? The car only vibrates at idle though car steers fine and runs fine and performs fine when in motion.

One thing I also notice is that the secondary air pump that pumps air into the engine via 2 metal valves beside the steering wheel fluid reservoir, the air pump vibrates a lot when it operates and makes a loud noise too. I haven't really look at that pump before so I dont know if that is normal or if it actually caused the engine vibration.

As of now after a week of everyday driving the car does not have any CEL lights. Car only vibrates at idle but RPM didnt fluctuate or anything, it vibrates no matter if is in gear or not. All temps are very normal, I did kind of notice a deeper exhaust tone but maybe is just me thinking too much or too focus on it it could be like that before too.

One other thing I notice too is that if I put the car in reverse, it seems to vibrates more then if is in other forward gears or N or P. Car shifts very smooth with no problems at all at all rpm and speeds.

Does anyone have similar vibration happens to their car before and please help me with some ideas if you guys have any experiences! Thanks so much!
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Oct 19, 2014 | 03:40 AM
  #2  
Is the car new to you, or have you had it for 120k? If new to you, I would suggest that the vibration is quite normal. The C63 definitely vibrates when you are idling at the lights (not severe, but you can feel the car slightly rocking). Apologies for posting if you have had it for 120k and these vibrations are a new thing.
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Oct 19, 2014 | 10:58 AM
  #3  
Check your tranny mounts and engine mounts, both of these are quite comman to go at the above km's.
Reply 0
Oct 19, 2014 | 05:05 PM
  #4  
well I had the car since 100000km so I have done about 20k km and it was extremely smooth idle until last week....I guess it could be the mounts maybe I will take it to the shop and check tomorrow.....would it be any vacuum or exhaust leak too that causes it?
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Oct 19, 2014 | 05:34 PM
  #5  
Could it be from a tank of bad gas?
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Oct 28, 2014 | 11:59 AM
  #6  
Shouldn't be bad gas I have gone thru a few tanks already after the problem started still no luck. I guess I will change the plugs first and see how it goes
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Oct 28, 2014 | 12:14 PM
  #7  
is the vibration constant or rhythmic? if the latter, it could be a bad plug wire(s) or a bad plug. if constant, it could be the mounts, as mentioned previously.
Reply 0
Oct 30, 2014 | 10:13 AM
  #8  
I replace 2x steering pumps in my ML63 2010 model.
Same symptoms as what you describe.
Your pump sounds like its on its way out. Give it a couple more days of driving, and that pump will probably give out.

search my username in the W164 ML63 section, i did a write up on it from memory.
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Oct 30, 2014 | 10:14 AM
  #9  
Also, another member who had similar problems schmick325 search is username
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Dec 21, 2018 | 07:24 AM
  #10  
Have same problem on my ml 63 2008, vibration on idle, no matter P or D, and seems it's going from center of car, engine and transmission mounts was changed 2 months ago
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Dec 21, 2018 | 08:25 AM
  #11  
Quote: Have same problem on my ml 63 2008, vibration on idle, no matter P or D, and seems it's going from center of car, engine and transmission mounts was changed 2 months ago
My car had a vibration issue. First, at idle in gear, then it got worse were it vibrated even in P & N. Engine & transmission mounts are both healthy. It appears the issue was caused by a defective intake adjuster, causing the whole engine to shake (timing was a few degrees off). Weird thing is I didn't get a CEL and RPMs were steady for more than a year before replacement. After replacing both intake adjusters, the engine is very smooth you can barely feel it is ON.

Good luck.
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Dec 21, 2018 | 04:49 PM
  #12  
Quote: My car had a vibration issue. First, at idle in gear, then it got worse were it vibrated even in P & N. Engine & transmission mounts are both healthy. It appears the issue was caused by a defective intake adjuster, causing the whole engine to shake (timing was a few degrees off). Weird thing is I didn't get a CEL and RPMs were steady for more than a year before replacement. After replacing both intake adjusters, the engine is very smooth you can barely feel it is ON.

Good luck.
Hi, thanks, how did you find
>timing was a few degrees off
?

through diagnostic tool or something? because main problem that by diagnostic everything is good and very good
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Dec 23, 2018 | 09:49 AM
  #13  
Quote: Hi, thanks, how did you find
>timing was a few degrees off
?

through diagnostic tool or something? because main problem that by diagnostic everything is good and very good
First, it started with a vibration. One year later, I started getting adjuster start-up noise. In the second year, during a cold start,the adjuster made a very loud noise and the cam went off timing. Got CEL (P0018), and fuel trims were all over the place, B1 & 2 were reporting opposite readings (a sign for bad timing). Also, the intake manifold pressure was higher than spec. Finally, we did a diagnostic via Mercedes SDS and confirmed the issue could be caused by a defective intake adjuster. Replaced the intake adjusters on both banks and all is well.
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Dec 23, 2018 | 10:04 AM
  #14  
Quote: First, it started with a vibration. One year later, I started getting adjuster start-up noise. In the second year, during a cold start,the adjuster made a very loud noise and the cam went off timing. Got CEL (P0018), and fuel trims were all over the place, B1 & 2 were reporting opposite readings (a sign for bad timing). Also, the intake manifold pressure was higher than spec. Finally, we did a diagnostic via Mercedes SDS and confirmed the issue could be caused by a defective intake adjuster. Replaced the intake adjusters on both banks and all is well.
ehm, your problem seems obvious, you have errors on diagnosis and wrong parameters, I have no erros and everything is alright, benz dealer tells me that engine mounts can become too hard by cold on street
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Dec 23, 2018 | 12:50 PM
  #15  
Quote: ehm, your problem seems obvious, you have errors on diagnosis and wrong parameters, I have no erros and everything is alright, benz dealer tells me that engine mounts can become too hard by cold on street
He said it started with a vibration that he had for a year before he started getting the CEL etc.
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Dec 23, 2018 | 01:21 PM
  #16  
Quote: He said it started with a vibration that he had for a year before he started getting the CEL etc.
who knows, maybe if he gone to diagnose from start maybe ther was parameters wrong founded
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Dec 23, 2018 | 01:46 PM
  #17  
Quote: who knows, maybe if he gone to diagnose from start maybe ther was parameters wrong founded
I carry a code reader all the time. I check live parameters and monitors on a weekly basis (out of hobby), and NO, there were no codes/ CEL present, until things got worse (after a year) and the ECU reported the issue
Look mate, IMO here is what you can do:
1- Do nothing, enjoy the car, until the issue gets worse
2- Go to the dealer or independent, for a full checkup, only leave when you have the correct diagnosis
3- Start replacing parts one-by-one, where both money & time will be wasted, hoping the issue will be resolved

Also, SDS can read the camshafts position/angle so you can know for sure if this is the cause or not.

Good luck.
Reply 1
Dec 23, 2018 | 06:49 PM
  #18  
Quote: . . . the issue was caused by a defective intake adjuster . . .
Wing: Any photos of the defective adjuster, and what the adjuster plate looked like, and if it had visible wear?

Reply 0
Dec 23, 2018 | 09:02 PM
  #19  
Quote: ehm, your problem seems obvious, you have errors on diagnosis and wrong parameters, I have no erros and everything is alright, benz dealer tells me that engine mounts can become too hard by cold on street
Quote: who knows, maybe if he gone to diagnose from start maybe ther was parameters wrong founded
You have a very strange way of asking for help f#%$ing new guy.... ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
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Dec 24, 2018 | 12:13 AM
  #20  
Quote:




You have a very strange way of asking for help f#%$ing new guy.... ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
​​​​​​​​​​​​​​
Quote: Wing: Any photos of the defective adjuster, and what the adjuster plate looked like, and if it had visible wear?
Sure, the plate has worn down so much the pin wouldn't lock anymore.



​​​​​​​
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Dec 24, 2018 | 12:42 AM
  #21  
Quote:
Sure, the plate has worn down so much the pin wouldn't lock anymore.



​​​​​​​
That would do it. Ain't no pin-flip trick gonna work on that plate from Bank 2 :/
Any idea of approx mileage when symptoms of vibration first appeared?
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Dec 24, 2018 | 01:10 AM
  #22  
Quote: That would do it. Ain't no pin-flip trick gonna work on that plate from Bank 2 :/
Any idea of approx mileage when symptoms of vibration first appeared?
Vibration started in 2016 (~70k miles) and got worse over time. This is the second intake adjuster replacement. First replacement was back in 2009 following DTB S-B-05.20/20b.
Car had the following adjusters:
1- A1560502247 From factory (the very first adjuster)
2- A1560503047 Following DTB in 2009 (shown on pictures)
3- A1560503647 Currently installed
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Aug 20, 2024 | 07:34 AM
  #23  
Similar problem, I have this vibration and tapping noise on idle only on D.
Hi guys ,

Need help understanding what this noise is.
car running fine.
At stop light, in D gear car starts to idle and make this tapping noise and vibration. I put it into N or P or R no more vibration and no tapping. I start driving the vibration and tapping goes away.

What is this?
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