CLK500 Ticking / Clacking engine noise
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2013 E550 Cabriolet; 2004 CLK500 Cabriolet Designo (sold)
CLK500 Ticking / Clacking engine noise
Others have described a ticking or diesel sounding engine noise and I'm trying to determine if that is what I am experiencing. Most describe hearing the noise when the engine is cold. I hear the noise after the engine has warmed up. Some reports have also indicated that replacing the engine mounts or the purge valve. My Mercedes mechanic (not a dealer) checked both and said they are fine and also said that it is a common problem with that engine. Perhaps that's true, but I only started hearing it in the past few months and I've had the car for 4 years. It only has 44,000 miles on it. Any suggestions for next steps? Really appreciate it. I can't stand the noise.
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From: A Canadian in Dubai, United Arab Emirates
'05 C200K SS, '05 Kleemann CLK500K, '08 Hummer H3 & '92 Z34 5sp (track car in Canada)
I have some slight lifter noise but nothing major, I'm going to replace the lifters when I do the cams anyways. Question for you Mike, when your mechanic said "that it is a common problem with this engine", what did he mean? What is the problem he is making note of?
I'm interested to hear what he has to say. Ticking sounds like lifters, 'clacking' could be far worse, aka, bearings.
I'm interested to hear what he has to say. Ticking sounds like lifters, 'clacking' could be far worse, aka, bearings.
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2013 E550 Cabriolet; 2004 CLK500 Cabriolet Designo (sold)
There are a few folks who have described a similar noise. To me, it reminds me of a diesel engine. I would not personally call it ticking cause that sounds too light. It clacks, louder than my '67 Chevy Nova used to. The mechanic said that it is a common problem with the 5.0 liter, but I am going to call the dealership tomorrow.
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From: A Canadian in Dubai, United Arab Emirates
'05 C200K SS, '05 Kleemann CLK500K, '08 Hummer H3 & '92 Z34 5sp (track car in Canada)
I'm still wonderng what he means by common problem... The common problem isn't the noise, it's what's making it. Interested to hear what the dealer tells you. Hope it's not bearings or a rod knock.
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2013 E550 Cabriolet; 2004 CLK500 Cabriolet Designo (sold)
Ah, I see what you're saying. I asked what was causing the noise and they had no answer. There is a TSB that seems to address this: 070021D. "ENGINE TICKING (PISTON SLAP) NOISE COMPLAINTS WHEN ACCELERATING BETWEEN 1200 AND 3000 RPM. MODELS E500, SL500, CLK500 MY2003." Of course it specifies MY2003 and mine is a 2004.
I will update here once I speak with the dealership. Thanks for your help!
I will update here once I speak with the dealership. Thanks for your help!
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From: Chicago
V8, Flat 6, V6, & Turbo flat 4
I also have a 2004 CLK500 and just hit 44k miles.
Mine does the same thing.
We are currently looking at 2 issues, bad fuel with weather change or oil change needed a lot sooner than the computer recommmends.
How often do you change your oil?
Mine does the same thing.
We are currently looking at 2 issues, bad fuel with weather change or oil change needed a lot sooner than the computer recommmends.
How often do you change your oil?
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Thread Starter
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2013 E550 Cabriolet; 2004 CLK500 Cabriolet Designo (sold)
I would not classify it as a "tick." That implies a light or quiet sound. This sounds like a diesel engine. The noise is "clacking." The noise appears after the engine warms up.
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2005 Mercedes CLK 500
Others have described a ticking or diesel sounding engine noise and I'm trying to determine if that is what I am experiencing. Most describe hearing the noise when the engine is cold. I hear the noise after the engine has warmed up. Some reports have also indicated that replacing the engine mounts or the purge valve. My Mercedes mechanic (not a dealer) checked both and said they are fine and also said that it is a common problem with that engine. Perhaps that's true, but I only started hearing it in the past few months and I've had the car for 4 years. It only has 44,000 miles on it. Any suggestions for next steps? Really appreciate it. I can't stand the noise.
Maybe they use the wrong oil or non synthetic and oil is breaking down sooner. Also wonder if our cars need valve adjustments.
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From: Chicago
V8, Flat 6, V6, & Turbo flat 4
I purchased the car in 2007 with 39,000 miles on it. Obviously I don't put many miles on a car. I change the oil with the regular service intervals (i.e., service B, service A).
I would not classify it as a "tick." That implies a light or quiet sound. This sounds like a diesel engine. The noise is "clacking." The noise appears after the engine warms up.
I would not classify it as a "tick." That implies a light or quiet sound. This sounds like a diesel engine. The noise is "clacking." The noise appears after the engine warms up.
Curious to see what the dealer tells you as I probably have same issue.
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2013 E550 Cabriolet; 2004 CLK500 Cabriolet Designo (sold)
Thread Starter
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2013 E550 Cabriolet; 2004 CLK500 Cabriolet Designo (sold)
Well the dealership called today. The noise I was hearing was the CATALYTIC CONVERTER!! How my mechanic did not hear that is beyond me. However, the best news is, it's covered under WARRANTY!! Woo-hoo!!! Thanks everyone for your input in trying to help me get this sorted out.
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From: Chicago
V8, Flat 6, V6, & Turbo flat 4
Well the dealership called today. The noise I was hearing was the CATALYTIC CONVERTER!! How my mechanic did not hear that is beyond me. However, the best news is, it's covered under WARRANTY!! Woo-hoo!!! Thanks everyone for your input in trying to help me get this sorted out.
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From: Slovakia
09C63AMG, 03E320
Well the dealership called today. The noise I was hearing was the CATALYTIC CONVERTER!! How my mechanic did not hear that is beyond me. However, the best news is, it's covered under WARRANTY!! Woo-hoo!!! Thanks everyone for your input in trying to help me get this sorted out.
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From: vancouver, bc CANADA
03 clk500, 06 qx56
lol i had the same problems too. the ticking noise turned out to be just the actualator (i think that's what the mechanic said) ticking, located on the top right engine side, which is normal but gets louder as the car ages, but the other noise was in fact the catalyic converter so i had to delete that and now, the problem is solved...
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From: Chicago
V8, Flat 6, V6, & Turbo flat 4
lol i had the same problems too. the ticking noise turned out to be just the actualator (i think that's what the mechanic said) ticking, located on the top right engine side, which is normal but gets louder as the car ages, but the other noise was in fact the catalyic converter so i had to delete that and now, the problem is solved...
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From: waldorf md
clk500
I have a 2003 clk500 and my car was making the same valve tapping noise. it stopped after i changed my oil by mixing weight (half 0w 40 and half 5w 30) also make sure the filter is installed correctly. when installing filter push it up all the way until you can't see the line on it anymore. I haven't heard the noise since,by changing oil every 6,000 miles.
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2013 E550 Cabriolet; 2004 CLK500 Cabriolet Designo (sold)
The CLACK is BACK
So this clacking noise has returned. Does the CLK500 have TWO catalytic converters? I think it does, but I'm not sure.
Also, I believe the dealer is required to replace a faulty CAT up to a certain number of miles. Anyone know what the mileage limit is?
THANK YOU!
Also, I believe the dealer is required to replace a faulty CAT up to a certain number of miles. Anyone know what the mileage limit is?
THANK YOU!
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NO LONGER ACTIVE
The CLK500 has two catalytic converters - one on each side. Also, there are a pair of "secondary cats". On your car, those may actually be cats, but on later models, they were just resonators. As for the EPA-required emissions warranty, it's 80K miles/8 years, whichever comes first.
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2002 Mercedes-Benz CLK 320
