Clacking Sound On Start Up??
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 440
Likes: 2
2001 CLK55 AMG
Clacking Sound On Start Up??
When I got my new engine put it, the mechanics said it had a clacking sound when they started it up for the first time. We figured it's because the engine hadn't been started in over 2 years. So we wrote it of because after they let it idle for about 5 minutes it went away.
I wasn't there when they started it for the first time and heard the clacking sound.
So I haven't stared my car in about a month because I've been working on my suspension. I started it tonight and heard the clacking sound. Didn't sound good at all! But it went away after 5 minutes of letting it idle.
It sounded like it was coming from the bottom end.
Any ideas???
I wasn't there when they started it for the first time and heard the clacking sound.
So I haven't stared my car in about a month because I've been working on my suspension. I started it tonight and heard the clacking sound. Didn't sound good at all! But it went away after 5 minutes of letting it idle.
It sounded like it was coming from the bottom end.
Any ideas???
Super Member
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 502
Likes: 3
From: Bay Area
02 clk 55, 13 GL 450
"Clacking" may be a different sound to you than me. "Clacking" is a higher pitch to me and that is usualy valve train. "Thumping" is a lower pitch to me and usualy a problem in the lower end. A rod knock doesnt just go away after a few minutes of running. Does it still make noise if only let sit for a few days? May just be a "lifter" bleeding down.
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 440
Likes: 2
2001 CLK55 AMG
Its not a thudding sound. It's Weird haha. If I let it sit for a week and then fire it up the sound isn't there. Sounds Only there if its sitting for more than 2 weeks. It just worried me!!!
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 3,589
Likes: 68
From: Texas
C63 507 AMG DA Car #19
Our ML500 and my clk55 sometimes does this after it sits for a while.....then goes away after warm up.... then not present for days/weeks/months...... I was thinking lifter pump up..... but purely guessing. Reminds me of aftermarket roller rockers that need a shim from my domestic product days 
Super Member
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 502
Likes: 3
From: Bay Area
02 clk 55, 13 GL 450
Like many others, mine too will make a little valve tick on start up if I let it sit for a few weeks. With the road you've just been down I'd be nervous too! Doesnt sound like you have something to worry bout this time though.
Junior Member
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 74
Likes: 0
BMW 528i
Sounds like it's probably valve train/lifter noise.
After the car sits long enough, residual oil coating drains and thins out at the top of the engine. 1st start gets to ticking/light clackety until oil pump creates enough pressure at the top of the engine to fully restore oil coating.
Not unusual, when I leave a car sitting for a while (+ months), I normally pull the fuel relay and give it a couple start turns to get some pressure built up before plugging the relay back in for a "real" start.
After the car sits long enough, residual oil coating drains and thins out at the top of the engine. 1st start gets to ticking/light clackety until oil pump creates enough pressure at the top of the engine to fully restore oil coating.
Not unusual, when I leave a car sitting for a while (+ months), I normally pull the fuel relay and give it a couple start turns to get some pressure built up before plugging the relay back in for a "real" start.
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