The Full Story On Cam Adjusters And Lifters
09-02-2015, 10:47 PM
#1
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The Full Story On Cam Adjusters And Lifters
I think we should do the best we can to clear this issue up.
I am a Benz tech and have done cams, lifters, and adjusters on the 6.2. I have seen the cam/lifter failure on engines that should be okay per their engine vin number, but they suffered the failure. When you're getting the constant valve train noise, remove the valve cover, and take a look. It is a pretty easy one to figure out.
Cam adjusters on the other hand have me wondering what is "normal" and what would be considered problematic. I know these cars when new did not make the chatter on start. This is for sure. I have done all four adjusters on an E63 with 100k on it, and I would get 20 degrees of crank rotation before the intake cams would move. New adjusters and the engine stayed in time. Also this engine would pass the adjuster test using an SDS before the adjusters were replaced.
Has anyone had catastrophic engine failure due to a cam adjuster on a 6.2? My car has 108k on it and will occasionally make adjuster noise on start. It will never do it for more then a second. It seems people are having adjusters replaced, and then a few thousand miles later are having noise again.
I have read the L.I. documents, but would like to get some feedback from MB techs or people who have first hand experience. On a side note, I'm also curious if the adjusters not fully advancing timing is the reason some 63s make much more or less power then an identically modified car.
Lets hear what you guys think.
I am a Benz tech and have done cams, lifters, and adjusters on the 6.2. I have seen the cam/lifter failure on engines that should be okay per their engine vin number, but they suffered the failure. When you're getting the constant valve train noise, remove the valve cover, and take a look. It is a pretty easy one to figure out.
Cam adjusters on the other hand have me wondering what is "normal" and what would be considered problematic. I know these cars when new did not make the chatter on start. This is for sure. I have done all four adjusters on an E63 with 100k on it, and I would get 20 degrees of crank rotation before the intake cams would move. New adjusters and the engine stayed in time. Also this engine would pass the adjuster test using an SDS before the adjusters were replaced.
Has anyone had catastrophic engine failure due to a cam adjuster on a 6.2? My car has 108k on it and will occasionally make adjuster noise on start. It will never do it for more then a second. It seems people are having adjusters replaced, and then a few thousand miles later are having noise again.
I have read the L.I. documents, but would like to get some feedback from MB techs or people who have first hand experience. On a side note, I'm also curious if the adjusters not fully advancing timing is the reason some 63s make much more or less power then an identically modified car.
Lets hear what you guys think.
Last edited by layzie12g; 10-30-2019 at 10:23 PM.
09-02-2015, 11:21 PM
#2
MBWorld Fanatic!
I think we should do the best we can to clear this issue up.
I am a Benz tech and have done cams, lifters, and adjusters on the 6.2. I have seen the cam/lifter failure on engines that should be okay per their engine vin number, but they are suffered the failure. When your getting the constant valve train noise, remove the valve cover, and take a look. It is a pretty easy one to figure out.
Cam adjusters on the other hand have me wondering what is "normal" and what would be considered problematic. I know these cars when new did not make the chatter on start. This is for sure. I have done all four adjusters on an E63 with 100k on it, and I would get 20 degrees of crank rotation before the intake cams would move. New adjusters and the engine stayed in time. Also this engine would pass the adjuster test using an SDS before the adjusters were replaced.
Has anyone had catastrophic engine failure due to a cam adjuster on a 6.2? My car has 108k on it and will occasionally make adjuster noise on start. It will never do it for more then a second. It seems people are having adjusters replaced, and then a few thousand miles later are having noise again.
I have read the L.I. documents, but would like to get some feedback from MB techs or people who have first hand experience. On a side note, I'm also curious if the adjusters not fully advancing timing is the reason some 63s make much more or less power then an identically modified car.
Lets hear what you guys think.
I am a Benz tech and have done cams, lifters, and adjusters on the 6.2. I have seen the cam/lifter failure on engines that should be okay per their engine vin number, but they are suffered the failure. When your getting the constant valve train noise, remove the valve cover, and take a look. It is a pretty easy one to figure out.
Cam adjusters on the other hand have me wondering what is "normal" and what would be considered problematic. I know these cars when new did not make the chatter on start. This is for sure. I have done all four adjusters on an E63 with 100k on it, and I would get 20 degrees of crank rotation before the intake cams would move. New adjusters and the engine stayed in time. Also this engine would pass the adjuster test using an SDS before the adjusters were replaced.
Has anyone had catastrophic engine failure due to a cam adjuster on a 6.2? My car has 108k on it and will occasionally make adjuster noise on start. It will never do it for more then a second. It seems people are having adjusters replaced, and then a few thousand miles later are having noise again.
I have read the L.I. documents, but would like to get some feedback from MB techs or people who have first hand experience. On a side note, I'm also curious if the adjusters not fully advancing timing is the reason some 63s make much more or less power then an identically modified car.
Lets hear what you guys think.
10-11-2015, 10:25 PM
#3
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Although not all that technical, it's too technical for this forum.
The locking pin cleaning sounds interesting though. Wonder if it's affected by the amount of detergents in the oil used and or change interval?
The locking pin cleaning sounds interesting though. Wonder if it's affected by the amount of detergents in the oil used and or change interval?
10-12-2015, 01:33 AM
#4
The adjusters aren't very complicated, oil pressure fills passages up to either retard or advance the cams. The noise, on start up, I assume would be the adjuster loosing oil from a worn seal causing the metal to clatter together till oil pressure builds.
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10-12-2015, 07:39 PM
#5
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I was hoping the M156 would be a reliable engine once the head bolts issue is taken care of. Unfortunately, it seems like there are plenty other issues. Maybe the only reliable ones are via M159?
10-12-2015, 08:05 PM
#6
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2011 MB C63 AMG. 2014 MUSTANG COVERTIBLE V6. 2010 MUSTANG CONVERTIBLE V6.
my car does make a strange chattering noise on startup sometimes. but most times it starts up normal. is this the same thing you're talking about? i'm out of warranty, is this something i should get fixed?
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10-12-2015, 10:36 PM
#9
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That noise is completely diff then what is being talked about. That noise very surprised was cam adjusters. I have heard similar odd noises like that come and go. I've had my cam adjusters replaced last month guess what both noises still heard. 3 m156 engines at the dealer had same inititial start rattle. These cars are just noisy is what I'm starting to think. I had my oil changed and supposedly had an incorrect size oil filter in place. after it was changed sounds decreased significantly but yes still there on warm oil starts after 40 or so minutes. But it is a lot better. The adjuster replacement had zero impact on improving noise.
Last edited by AMGonFire; 10-12-2015 at 10:41 PM.
10-12-2015, 10:43 PM
#11
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10-12-2015, 10:51 PM
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10-12-2015, 10:53 PM
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Amg
10-12-2015, 11:10 PM
#14
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I have a ticking noise from the left bank after the car sits at the airport for 2 weeks. Noise is gone by the time I pull out of the parking deck.
When the car is driven every day or every other day, it never makes a sound
When the car is driven every day or every other day, it never makes a sound
10-13-2015, 07:45 AM
#15
only after i drive the car and then have it sit for 2-3 hours. makes that noise for about 20 seconds then goes away. as i said before, one dealer said it was normal, the other changed the CA's and i have not heard the noise since.
10-13-2015, 09:36 AM
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Amg
10-18-2015, 08:03 AM
#18
I'm another owner in Calgary and my 2009 with 92,000 km started getting noisier with the defective buckets about 20,000 km ago and is getting really annoying now. I will post my dealings with Mercedes re this issue.
10-18-2015, 08:14 AM
#19
Oh, forgot to mention I just wrote in another post here I also have been dealing with the Adjustor/Actuator issue since last year. After a cold tough winter of short trips and not being able to use my garage (Severe service that will create sludge in the engine) I started to get the Adjuster rattle for a second or two on start up. (Cold and hot) The dealer told me I needed 4 adjusters and actuators for $5600.00 but I cleared most of it up with an engine flush. I only get maybe a half a second of rattle now once every 30 start ups.
10-18-2015, 01:03 PM
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10-18-2015, 09:07 PM
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C63
I have a 2013 and had the noise at start up both warm and cold. Dealer replaced a cam adjuster and the noise returned after a few weeks. I took the car back and was told its normal. Its hard to believe that could be normal. I am planning to go back in for oil service and will mention it again.
10-18-2015, 09:33 PM
#24
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Having owned my car for a few years and having utilized the warranty/ELW to the maximum, I am realizing that this car is chock full of noises!
10-18-2015, 09:50 PM
#25
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I have a 2013 and had the noise at start up both warm and cold. Dealer replaced a cam adjuster and the noise returned after a few weeks. I took the car back and was told its normal. Its hard to believe that could be normal. I am planning to go back in for oil service and will mention it again.
