Daveskee

I mentioned to my service advisor today (having some warranty work done) the ticking noise coming from my engine sure didn't seem right. I asked if the CLK430 engines have ever had any lifter or cam problems. He calls the Master tech over who leans into the open engine compartment and listens for a few seconds and says "That sounds like its within acceptable limits". The Master tech says there haven't been any problems with these engines. They are just milled much thinner than older MZB engines and tend to be louder. "Tick, Tick Tick". I'm standing two away from him and I can clearly hear "tick, tick, tick".

Now let me also set the stage by telling you there is a semi with it engine running 25 yards away, cars driving up and down wet streets, and a service area full of cars and people. "Tick tick tick", clear as day. They promise to have someone take a look at it.

Anyone else here this?

brianw430

Yes, I too have asked about this ticking souind and I got, "it's the electricasl smog pump"(?). It doesn't do it all the time only sometimes. I can even here it inside the cabin and I'm having my mechanic look it over.

I'll let you know if he comes up with a fix.

RJC

The newer modular line of MBZ engines have significant valve train noise, since MBZ looked for cost savings the newer 3 valve single over head cams and thinner blocks are 50% cheaper to manufacture than the previous 4 valve dual overhead cam engines...The previous 320,420&500 engines are oh so quiet.

RJC

scorchie

Daveskee, to give you some information or ammunition...

My C43 M113 engine goes, "tick tick tick"... and I am pretty sure it didn't used to do this. My CLK55 M113 engine doesn't "tick tick tick" at all.

So, I am somewhat concerned. Could it be the harmonic balancer on its way out? Could it be a belt tensioner? Whatever it is, it's not doing it in my other car. Yet.

(Yes, these engines do have a significant problem ... the harmonic balancer tends to fly off.)

-s-

BANSASN

How does it sound like again?

BANSASN

nickm

Mine sounds like kr kr kr instead of tick tick tick...
This was discussed in some very old posts and the conclusion was that it is normal since all 430 engines do it at some point or another...

ktm

I've got it too. 02 CLK 320 with 3500 pampered miles. The noise has always been there. Sounds like a rod or lifter and comes and goes. I have ALWAYS used 94 Octane from the same station. I just hope I don't have a resale prob because of this!!!!

woodyww

Had this problem with my C280 sedan within the first 2,000 miles. It turned out that the head gasket had a small leak. This was discovered by the service dept. when the car was in for a routine (for me) oil change and fixed. No more ticking.

sLickfITY

yea i hear a kr kr kr/tick tick tick sound on a ML320 that i am looking to buy. i just dont want to buy some problems. anyone know what this is?

mbtech208

I'd really have to hear this noise in person to determine what the ticking is, but based on your information, it might just be the normal sound of the fuel injectors snapping open and shut.

Daveskee

Well after talking to many others about it, it appears its normal for these 430 engines to make this noise. The mechanic who looked at it says nothing abnormal. I had an independent mechanic who works exclusively on MBZ look at it too and he came to the same conclusion. They just don't make them like they used to.

Pffelan

mine also ticks quite loudly but again my dealer reckons this is normal... btw.. my c coupe 230k also made a ticking sound... guess you buy a lexus if you want silence..

mmgrad

Oddly enough, the day I lowered my car, my girlfriend noticed my car was 'tick tick tick'-ing during light acceleration. At first, I thought the shop screwed up something when they lowered the car, but I thought, wait, its Brabus, so probably not.

Pulled over to the side, put it in N and then in P and tapped the gas, and yup, its coming from the engine.

Have we all decided that this is 'acceptable' and 'normal'? I was planning to take it in to MB to have it checked out. Just trying to get a feel for what to expect.