bj'sbrabus

I purchased my first Mercedes last week, a CLK 500 Brabus. I love the car and the styling but.......When I started the car the first morning, I noticed a ticking noise that sounded like a hydraulic lifter was not filling properly. It occurs with each engine revolution and is especially apparent under any degree of acceleration. I took the car in to the dealer for resolution and after keeping it overnight to do a cold start, they proclaimed the sound normal. Finding it hard to believe, I test drove another new CLK 500 and to my surprise, the same ticking noise was evident. I then drove a CLK 55 AMG and no noise was apparent. The rental car they gave me (430 I think) did not exhibit any noise. Has anyone else experienced this problem and been given a more comprehensive explanation than "normal".

I have looked through tech bulletins and service letters to no avail. Only similar noise was the exhaust manifold air compressor or altenator.

It seems to be getting louder and I am very uncomfortable fearing it might be a valve or rod bearing.

JLee81

did you ever hit a puddle hard enough to splash the water higher than your car? I am pretty sure that you did, if you are hearing the noise(only when the engine is cold- goes away and comes back while driving) even though you don't remember it now.
I had that ticking nose that sounded like it's coming from the engine when I had W203 C320 about 1 1/2 year ago. It definitely ticks during low engine temperature.
Guess what! the water got in the engine room and it ****ed up the car pretty badly..
Well, I traded the car and got my clk and I don't have to live with it anymore.
Good luck and hopefully it's not as serious as the problem I had with C320.

MikeL

There's a **** load of TSB's and a few recalls for MY 03 CLK500. You can check www.alldata.com for all makes and models. Recalls and TSBs. Ill list a couple TSB's that could be your problem of a ticking noise.

TSB's
S-01_30-15 Engine - cylinder wall damage assesment
P-07_00-21F Engine - piston slap sound on acceleration

These could be it? Below is a copy and paste of all recalls/TSB's for MY 03 CLK500. Hope this helps.

Bulletins for 2003 Mercedes Benz CLK 500 (209.375) V8-4966cc 5.0L SOHC (113.968)

Safety Recalls

TSB Number Issue Date TSB Title

1. 2003120006 JAN 04 Recall - Seat Belt Buckle Replacement

General Recalls

TSB Number Issue Date TSB Title

1. 2003110006 APR 04 Campaign - Engine Cooling Fan Malfunction

Service Bulletins

TSB Number Issue Date TSB Title

1. P-46_20-16 APR 04 Steering - Leaks at Line/Rack Housing Connection
2. S-07_61-039A MAR 04 Engine Controls - DTC Trouble Shooting
3. P-00_45-77 FEB 04 Interior - Squeaking/Creaking Noise Kit
4. P-82_95-305 FEB 04 Emergency Contact/Alarm System - System 'Runaway'
5. P-07_00-28F FEB 04 Engine Controls - Lack of Power/Hesitation/MIL ON
6. P-33_15-10 FEB 04 Steering/Suspension - Alignment Requirements
7. P-82_00-228B FEB 04 Audio System - Mutes Randomly
8. S-01_30-15 FEB 04 Engine - Cylinder Wall Damage Assesment
9. S-49_10-08 FEB 04 Exhaust System - Rattling/Hissing/Humming Noises
10. P-40_10-43 JAN 04 Tires - Michelin Pilot Sport A/S(R) Tires Not Approved
11. P-54_65-104A JAN 04 Parking Assist System - Triggers for No Reason
12. P-47_10-27 JAN 04 Fuel System - Fuel Filler Cap Hard to Remove/Install
13. P-20_40-26 DEC 03 Engine Controls - Cooling Fan Runs Continuously/DTC's
14. P-82_30-316 DEC 03 Wipers/Washers - Erratic Intermittent Wipe Explanation
15. S-18_00-16A DEC 03 Gasoline Engine - Oil Sludging
16. P-82_30-279B NOV 03 Wipers/Washers- Poor Wiper Performance
17. S-54_21-101 OCT 03 Engine Controls - ECM Flash Process Change
18. P-82_60-292 SEP 03 Audio System - Volume Knob Damaged
19. P-62_00-06 SEP 03 Body - Water Leaks Into Front Footwells
20. P-82_85-288 SEP 03 COMAND(R) System - Unable to Enter New Destination
21. P-54_18-98 SEP 03 Battery - Disconnecting Requirements During Vehicle Svc.
22. P-80_57-24 SEP 03 Drive Authorization System (DAS) - Component Diagnosis
23. P-18_00-22 AUG 03 Engine - Oil Fill Capacity Correction
24. P-07_07-34 JUL 03 Engine Controls - MIL ON/Multiple DTC's Set
25. P-82_85-264 JUL 03 Navigation System - Inoperative/Erroneous Guidance
26. P-07_00-21F JUL 03 Engine - Piston Slap Sound on Acceleration
27. P-14_30-15 JUL 03 Emissions - MIL ON/DTC P2003 Stored in Memory
28. P-54_30-87 MAY 03 Instruments - Clock Inaccurate
29. P-20_10-23 MAY 03 Cooling System - Water Pump Leakage
30. P-54_65-86 APR 03 Parking Assist System - Apparent Erroneous Activation
31. P-42_45-23E MAR 03 ABS/Traction Control - DTC's C1140/C1145
32. P-82_70-222 MAR 03 Cell Phone - Phone Won't Fasten Into Cradle Holder
33. P-67_00-09 MAR 03 Body - Windshield/Rear Glass Body Seam Corrosion
34. P-54_18-84 MAR 03 Battery - Disconnecting During Service
35. S-07_61-27A MAR 03 Engine Controls - ECM Reprogramming Procedure
36. P-80_57-20 FEB 03 Audio System - RF Interference Explanation
37. P-46_20-10 FEB 03 Steering Rack - Connector Leaks
38. P-82_10-217 JAN 03 Lighting - Parking/Tail Lamp Bulbs Inoperative
39. P-82_85-210 NOV 02 Navigation/GPS System - Various Malfunctions
40. P-82_30-209 NOV 02 Wipers/Washers - Wiper Blades Noisy
41. P-77_20-18 OCT 02 Body - Sliding Pop-Up Roof Reverses When Closing
42. P-82_62-169B OCT 02 Audio System - Various CD Player Malfunctions
43. P-72_10-28 OCT 02 Power Locks - Lock Knob Jumps Up and Down
44. S-82_70-135B OCT 02 Fiber Optics System - Configuration/Version Coding
45. P-18_00-17A JUL 02 Engine - Approved Engine Oils
46. P-82_85-198 JUL 02 COMAND(R) System - No Sound/Whistling
47. S-07_08-001 JUL 02 Engine Controls - Software Calibration Number Coding

bj'sbrabus

Mike,
Thanks a million. That web site is more comprehensive and easier to use than the site I looked up. The piston slapping bulletin seems to fit better but it does not show up for the 2004 model. I will call the service adviser and ask him to look up the TSB number. Maybe they will take me more serious.
Brad

bj'sbrabus

Turns out the problem is an issue with front engine mounts on some of the CLK 500's that will cause a ticking noise that sounds like "piston slapping". The dealer replaced the front engine mounts and problem is completely solved. Thanks to Mike L for the TS information.

jyg e500 maybe

wht year. I thought motor mount problem was fiixed and was only on e-class v-8

bj'sbrabus

The car is a 2004 CLK 500 Brabus purchased new just 3 weeks ago. It appears the service bulletin was originally issued on the 2003 but the mounts were revised again with a different type of rubber, according to the service rep.