C63 AMG (W204) 2008 - 2015
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Timing Chain tensioner

Old May 12, 2018 | 08:22 PM
  #1  
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Timing Chain tensioner

Has anyone ever had to do any timing chain work on thier M156/W204 C63?

I have a noise from around 1500-2500rpm on light throttle that sounds like a tuk tuk tuk tuk noise that goes away when you lift off the throttle (suspect its there higher rpm but gets drowned out by engine/exaust.

I'm wondering if it is the timing chain or a guide or tensioner.... is it possible to check the tensioner or anything related without major work? ie pulling out the engine?

If timing chain needs replacing that's engine out job... does the head need to come off?
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Old May 12, 2018 | 11:39 PM
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I doubt its the tensioner or chain, never seen one fail - they are hydraulic with oil pressure. Its more likely to be a camshaft adjuster, camshafts or lifters. First thing id check into is your oil filter. is it oem? are you using good quality oil. Unless it's crazy high mileage a chain would be pretty out of the ordinary.
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Old May 13, 2018 | 11:55 AM
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Ive been trying to track down a noise for quite some time and my next move is to swap the tensioner. I have it sitting on the shelf but haven't had a chance to swap it. Looks easy enough once you pull the belt and move the alternator. Lifters changed, cam adjusters changed. Noise still there. Only happens when the oil gets over 225. My thinking is that the perhaps the seal in the tensioner is starting to fail and it cant hold pressure once the oil gets hot and thins out. Causing the chain to slap on the guide. Dealer cant get it right. Frustrating.
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Old May 13, 2018 | 06:56 PM
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Originally Posted by roadtalontsi
I doubt its the tensioner or chain, never seen one fail - they are hydraulic with oil pressure. Its more likely to be a camshaft adjuster, camshafts or lifters. First thing id check into is your oil filter. is it oem? are you using good quality oil. Unless it's crazy high mileage a chain would be pretty out of the ordinary.
I've changed the oil and oil filter recently - that helped with the lifter/cam ticking noise as its pretty much gone (Liqui Moli and Ceratec). I'm pretty sure that at least one of the cam adjusters needs replacing (rattle on startup) but I don't think that is the cause of this noise.

Mileage is 60,000KM.

Took a video of the noise this morning (this was when cold, not that it matters it will be there when warm as well). You can hear it betwen about 1000-1500rpm in the background as a quick knocking type sound and it goes away as the gear changes/engine revs drop back to 1,000. Listen about the 4-5 second mark in the background.

https://www.dropbox.com/s/j6sfkz5frg..._3242.MOV?dl=0

Keep in mind noise stops when i come off throttle and doesn't happen when in neutral so needs load to make it happen....
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Old May 13, 2018 | 06:57 PM
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Originally Posted by bentz69
Ive been trying to track down a noise for quite some time and my next move is to swap the tensioner. I have it sitting on the shelf but haven't had a chance to swap it. Looks easy enough once you pull the belt and move the alternator. Lifters changed, cam adjusters changed. Noise still there. Only happens when the oil gets over 225. My thinking is that the perhaps the seal in the tensioner is starting to fail and it cant hold pressure once the oil gets hot and thins out. Causing the chain to slap on the guide. Dealer cant get it right. Frustrating.
What is your noise? So tensioner is easy to change with engine in then? Do you have a WIS for it? Any estimate on how long it would take?
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Old May 13, 2018 | 07:17 PM
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Rod knock
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Old May 13, 2018 | 08:15 PM
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Originally Posted by fc63
What is your noise? So tensioner is easy to change with engine in then? Do you have a WIS for it? Any estimate on how long it would take?
I guess to describe the noise I'm hearing its like clack clack clack. You can only hear it with the hood up, oil hot and your ear somewhat close to right head in front of the fan. Certainly cant hear it while driving.

I don't have the WIS but Ive seen a few videos/pics of the m156 showing its position and it is right behind the alternator. You can access it from under the car once you remove the belt and unbolt the alternator completely and remove it or possibly rotate it enough to pull the tensioner out.

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Old May 13, 2018 | 08:58 PM
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Originally Posted by BLKROKT
Rod knock
Do you really think so?
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Old May 13, 2018 | 09:13 PM
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Originally Posted by fc63
Do you really think so?
Rather unlikely, but that’s what it sounds like. It’s a very distinctive rattle. Volume on your video is a bit low though so tough to say. Go look at some YouTube videos of “rod knock” and let us know if that’s what it sounds like.





Last edited by BLKROKT; May 13, 2018 at 09:20 PM.
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Old May 19, 2023 | 03:43 PM
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Originally Posted by fc63
I've changed the oil and oil filter recently - that helped with the lifter/cam ticking noise as its pretty much gone (Liqui Moli and Ceratec). I'm pretty sure that at least one of the cam adjusters needs replacing (rattle on startup) but I don't think that is the cause of this noise.

Mileage is 60,000KM.

Took a video of the noise this morning (this was when cold, not that it matters it will be there when warm as well). You can hear it betwen about 1000-1500rpm in the background as a quick knocking type sound and it goes away as the gear changes/engine revs drop back to 1,000. Listen about the 4-5 second mark in the background.

https://www.dropbox.com/s/j6sfkz5frg..._3242.MOV?dl=0

Keep in mind noise stops when i come off throttle and doesn't happen when in neutral so needs load to make it happen....
Hey man, I’m wondering did you ever find out what was that noise on your c63? The way you described it and how it sounded at low revs is exactly what mine is like so I’m curious? Any help would be appreciated.
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Old Jun 4, 2023 | 06:25 AM
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Originally Posted by SmithyWings
Hey man, I’m wondering did you ever find out what was that noise on your c63? The way you described it and how it sounded at low revs is exactly what mine is like so I’m curious? Any help would be appreciated.
Hey - Nope never did, 5 years, 50,000KMS later and no issues so who knows what the deal is
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Old Jun 5, 2023 | 03:06 PM
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Originally Posted by SmithyWings
Hey man, I’m wondering did you ever find out what was that noise on your c63? The way you described it and how it sounded at low revs is exactly what mine is like so I’m curious? Any help would be appreciated.
Mine has made that noise for the last 25k miles, no issues. It annoys me, but I chalk it up to the noisy M156. I should note that my upper pan gasket was leaking soon after I bought it (2018, 30k miles). When they opened everything up they found that the main bearing on the first journal started to move because when the upper pan gasket was previously done, but the old hardware was reused so it started to loosen up.
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Old Jul 18, 2023 | 08:53 PM
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Originally Posted by SmithyWings
Hey man, I’m wondering did you ever find out what was that noise on your c63? The way you described it and how it sounded at low revs is exactly what mine is like so I’m curious? Any help would be appreciated.
I had the very same noise at low rpm that started at around 1500rpm under load and the guide ended up breaking on a cold start


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Old Jul 31, 2023 | 10:48 AM
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w204 c63
Originally Posted by SmithyWings
Hey man, I’m wondering did you ever find out what was that noise on your c63? The way you described it and how it sounded at low revs is exactly what mine is like so I’m curious? Any help would be appreciated.
hi ,I have also encountered the same problem. Have you solved the problem
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