OM642 tapping/ticking
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Oct 2019
Posts: 53
Likes: 7
From: Melbourne, Australia
R320, S211 wagon
OM642 tapping/ticking
Hey guys,
After changing the oil on my 2007 R320 (non DPF) with 91,000 miles using Liqui Moly Top Tec 4110 5w-40 it has started making this ticking/tapping noise (video linked below and noise is more noticeable at the end).
The noise was never there before the oil was changed. Over the past years after getting it serviced at the dealer it had always made this noise after the service and would slowly go away over time. I did bring the noise up with the dealer and of course they said it was fine. The oil I had in it previously was Titan GT1 Flex 23 5W-30. This makes me believe that this is an oil related issue but still not normal.
Does anyone have any thoughts on this Issue?
Thanks
After changing the oil on my 2007 R320 (non DPF) with 91,000 miles using Liqui Moly Top Tec 4110 5w-40 it has started making this ticking/tapping noise (video linked below and noise is more noticeable at the end).
The noise was never there before the oil was changed. Over the past years after getting it serviced at the dealer it had always made this noise after the service and would slowly go away over time. I did bring the noise up with the dealer and of course they said it was fine. The oil I had in it previously was Titan GT1 Flex 23 5W-30. This makes me believe that this is an oil related issue but still not normal.
Does anyone have any thoughts on this Issue?
Thanks
Member
Joined: Apr 2017
Posts: 106
Likes: 21
From: Northern Kentucky
2012 GL350
Do you think it sounds anything like this:
That ticking sound was the sound of the piston floating up and tapping the valves and the head because one of the big-end rod bearings was destroyed.
On the other hand, if it is just a top-end noise that has happened after every oil change, it could be a lifter. One of them could have been leaking down but pumping back up after the oil change and now it's stuck.
That ticking sound was the sound of the piston floating up and tapping the valves and the head because one of the big-end rod bearings was destroyed.
On the other hand, if it is just a top-end noise that has happened after every oil change, it could be a lifter. One of them could have been leaking down but pumping back up after the oil change and now it's stuck.
Junior Member
Joined: Sep 2020
Posts: 60
Likes: 9
E350
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Oct 2019
Posts: 53
Likes: 7
From: Melbourne, Australia
R320, S211 wagon
Thought I would update this thread if someone ends up having the same issue.
Noise still occurred no matter what viscosity oil is used.
I added one bottle of Liqui Moly Cera Tec and the noise stopped instantly and has not come back, i'm not saying this is an actual fix but having the noise stop should be better than it still ticking.
I also cut open the oil filter with 6000km on it, thoroughly inspected and found no metal shavings.
Noise still occurred no matter what viscosity oil is used.
I added one bottle of Liqui Moly Cera Tec and the noise stopped instantly and has not come back, i'm not saying this is an actual fix but having the noise stop should be better than it still ticking.
I also cut open the oil filter with 6000km on it, thoroughly inspected and found no metal shavings.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Oct 2019
Posts: 53
Likes: 7
From: Melbourne, Australia
R320, S211 wagon
It could be but when the engine was cold it never made the sound, only after about 5 minutes of driving.
The noise is worse (louder and most constant) after an oil change which is weird and would get quieter and less constant as the oil got older.
It does sound like the noise was coming from the bottom end.
The noise is worse (louder and most constant) after an oil change which is weird and would get quieter and less constant as the oil got older.
It does sound like the noise was coming from the bottom end.
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Joined: Jun 2022
Posts: 739
Likes: 328
From: WA State, USA
2014 Cummins, 2014 E250 Bluetec
Did you happen to try a dowel rod to isolate where the noise is coming from? Just like in the cab the engine bay can severely distort where sounds are coming from. Long screw driver or piece of wood rod or anything like that can help immensly on pin pointing a location. Assume you know how to use one but if not push it against various spots so it makes contact and have the other end push up against the front of the ear to close it off. Hard to explain.
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Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 261
Likes: 32
From: Where the Army sends me.
GL 350 Bluetec
Did you happen to try a dowel rod to isolate where the noise is coming from? Just like in the cab the engine bay can severely distort where sounds are coming from. Long screw driver or piece of wood rod or anything like that can help immensly on pin pointing a location. Assume you know how to use one but if not push it against various spots so it makes contact and have the other end push up against the front of the ear to close it off. Hard to explain.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Oct 2019
Posts: 53
Likes: 7
From: Melbourne, Australia
R320, S211 wagon
Did you happen to try a dowel rod to isolate where the noise is coming from? Just like in the cab the engine bay can severely distort where sounds are coming from. Long screw driver or piece of wood rod or anything like that can help immensly on pin pointing a location. Assume you know how to use one but if not push it against various spots so it makes contact and have the other end push up against the front of the ear to close it off. Hard to explain.
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From: New Hampsha
'17 GLS450, '14 GLK250, Grandpa's Roadster
Junior Member
Joined: Dec 2022
Posts: 29
Likes: 5
R 320 CDI D6 BRABUS
Hey guys,
After changing the oil on my 2007 R320 (non DPF) with 91,000 miles using Liqui Moly Top Tec 4110 5w-40 it has started making this ticking/tapping noise (video linked below and noise is more noticeable at the end).
The noise was never there before the oil was changed. Over the past years after getting it serviced at the dealer it had always made this noise after the service and would slowly go away over time. I did bring the noise up with the dealer and of course they said it was fine. The oil I had in it previously was Titan GT1 Flex 23 5W-30. This makes me believe that this is an oil related issue but still not normal.
Does anyone have any thoughts on this Issue?
Thanks
After changing the oil on my 2007 R320 (non DPF) with 91,000 miles using Liqui Moly Top Tec 4110 5w-40 it has started making this ticking/tapping noise (video linked below and noise is more noticeable at the end).
The noise was never there before the oil was changed. Over the past years after getting it serviced at the dealer it had always made this noise after the service and would slowly go away over time. I did bring the noise up with the dealer and of course they said it was fine. The oil I had in it previously was Titan GT1 Flex 23 5W-30. This makes me believe that this is an oil related issue but still not normal.
Does anyone have any thoughts on this Issue?
Thanks
My R320 CDI is making the same exact noise, I'm 95% positive it's the main bearing on the crankshaft, the closest one to the harmonic balancer (A common issue on OM642). I already started purchasing seals and o rings for an engine out job. I'll be doing it with a friend since a dealer job would cost close to the actual value of the car.
Best Regards,
Francis
Junior Member
Joined: Aug 2023
Posts: 39
Likes: 6
R350 CDI
Sounds more like an hydraulic lifter to me. Main bearings rumble.
Any updates from anyone about this?
(The other vid where the piston is hitting the head is Eeek!. I read the story on that one - mega job!
)
Any updates from anyone about this?
(The other vid where the piston is hitting the head is Eeek!. I read the story on that one - mega job!
)
Junior Member
Joined: Dec 2022
Posts: 29
Likes: 5
R 320 CDI D6 BRABUS
Hi,
I'll make a video with and without belt hopefully the difference is audible. I'll be doing a semi rebuild as I won't be removing the heads, just main bearing (noise culprit imo) oil cooler (preventive maintenance) and swirl flaps upgrade. Also with the engine dropped it will be a good idea to check the timing chain guides as Mercedes only replaces the chain and the tensioner (I got the job done 20k km ago). I'd like to make a thread about the "rebuild" on the R subforum.
kind regards
Francis
P.S. Mercedes bulletin about main bearing noise/ticking https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/tsbs/20...35950-9999.pdf
I'll make a video with and without belt hopefully the difference is audible. I'll be doing a semi rebuild as I won't be removing the heads, just main bearing (noise culprit imo) oil cooler (preventive maintenance) and swirl flaps upgrade. Also with the engine dropped it will be a good idea to check the timing chain guides as Mercedes only replaces the chain and the tensioner (I got the job done 20k km ago). I'd like to make a thread about the "rebuild" on the R subforum.
kind regards
Francis
P.S. Mercedes bulletin about main bearing noise/ticking https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/tsbs/20...35950-9999.pdf
Last edited by stars_gatherer; Sep 14, 2023 at 07:04 AM. Reason: Additional link
Junior Member
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 25
Likes: 2
2007 E320 W211 Bluetec
OMG I am so sorry. I would cry if I heard that sound coming from my car.
whatever it is there are $$ all over it. It does not sound like valve noise. It has a deep sound to it but who knows.
whatever it is there are $$ all over it. It does not sound like valve noise. It has a deep sound to it but who knows.
Junior Member
Joined: Dec 2022
Posts: 29
Likes: 5
R 320 CDI D6 BRABUS
Engine running without V belt
Hi,
Here
you can listen to the sound of the engine without V belt, instead here
(not mine) you can hear the main bearing tapping/knocking, I could describe the sound as someone tapping on the exhaust heat shield with a screwdriver 😅, probably as soon as next week I'll "start" to drop the engine and begin the open heart surgery.
Best regards,
Francis
Here
Best regards,
Francis
Last edited by stars_gatherer; Sep 16, 2023 at 10:24 AM.
Junior Member
Joined: Dec 2022
Posts: 29
Likes: 5
R 320 CDI D6 BRABUS
The engine above is running with a v belt, sounds exactly like mine without. Also I'm pretty sure that the OM642, for example the .950 versions are slightly noisier than the Bluetec and post 2011 ones. One thing I failed to add is that I don't have my lower engine cover (sound proofing) on as I recently replaced one strut and needed additional space to put a jackstand.
Regards,
Francis
Last edited by stars_gatherer; Sep 17, 2023 at 04:48 PM.
Junior Member
Joined: Aug 2023
Posts: 39
Likes: 6
R350 CDI
Im struggling to hear with the second short clip. Possibly more clunky like a rod. They seem quite noisy for a modern engine, with the hood up and the quiet exhaust and intake. The Fiat / Vauxhall / Saab 1.9 16 valve I had before was very quiet. The V6 also has a characteristic rar! just off idle on low throttle, where it sounds like all the combustion chambers are fighting each other. I can tell if a Sprinter or ML is setting off nearby! Load it up and that immediately stops. Then it turns into a virtual turbine as you accelerate.
The 2.2 Isuzu derived 8 valve in my previous Saab was a proper bag of nails. Very recognisable (like a 1960s tractor) in traffic. I heard one in the harbour from the top of the cliff at Scarborough on a still, summer day. Clatter, clatter and heavy diesel sounds. Gutless though. My wife's 1.3 VVTi Toyota is a quiet little sewing machine. BMW airhead bike like a lawn mower and all the ones with lightweight flywheels have (low volume) transmission rattle when you let the lever out.
My V6 has a ticking - like a watch. But then every vid I hear of this engine seems to do that. Not a tapping, not a clunking, just like a big Rolex. I may get a big screwdriver out and hunt it down. I've had loose tappets and stuck lifter on other cars and they are a lot more 'urgent' in sound i.e fix me!
The 2.2 Isuzu derived 8 valve in my previous Saab was a proper bag of nails. Very recognisable (like a 1960s tractor) in traffic. I heard one in the harbour from the top of the cliff at Scarborough on a still, summer day. Clatter, clatter and heavy diesel sounds. Gutless though. My wife's 1.3 VVTi Toyota is a quiet little sewing machine. BMW airhead bike like a lawn mower and all the ones with lightweight flywheels have (low volume) transmission rattle when you let the lever out.
My V6 has a ticking - like a watch. But then every vid I hear of this engine seems to do that. Not a tapping, not a clunking, just like a big Rolex. I may get a big screwdriver out and hunt it down. I've had loose tappets and stuck lifter on other cars and they are a lot more 'urgent' in sound i.e fix me!
Junior Member
Joined: Aug 2023
Posts: 39
Likes: 6
R350 CDI
So I threw a container of comma diesel cleaner into a tank of fuel, and the ticking has suddenly reduced to almost zero. So it is an injector (or fuel system) noise. Ive had Wynns cleaner in before (which worked on my Saab) and that made no difference. I also noticed a regen yesterday (which I haven't before) in that the idle speed went to about 900 and it felt like a bonfire had been lit under the car when I came to a halt. Talk about heatwave - wow!
There is no black death on mine and also no leaky cooler. When I changed the fuel filter (annoyingly difficult) I got a torch all around every injector and under the filter area. Dry.
Just need to swap the 100,000 mile transmission fluid as it has the odd 'jerk'. Which my Saab used to do before a fluid change.
The only real problem I have now is fuel economy. After changing the air filters, fixing the thermostat, fitting a catch tank and replacing the oil PCV the engine is feeling much more sprightly. I now need my right foot recalibrating..... Both my bikes accelerate in a rapid manner. BMW 860 is zippy. Yam 1300 tries to pull your arms off. The Merc just gathers speed 'stealthily'
There is no black death on mine and also no leaky cooler. When I changed the fuel filter (annoyingly difficult) I got a torch all around every injector and under the filter area. Dry.
Just need to swap the 100,000 mile transmission fluid as it has the odd 'jerk'. Which my Saab used to do before a fluid change.
The only real problem I have now is fuel economy. After changing the air filters, fixing the thermostat, fitting a catch tank and replacing the oil PCV the engine is feeling much more sprightly. I now need my right foot recalibrating..... Both my bikes accelerate in a rapid manner. BMW 860 is zippy. Yam 1300 tries to pull your arms off. The Merc just gathers speed 'stealthily'
Last edited by dogshome; Oct 20, 2023 at 01:48 PM.
Newbie
Joined: Dec 2024
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
OM642 Ringing/Rattle
Hi, I have an R280 which I love. The engine developed a ringing/sqeeking/rattle at idle. My Indy repair shop investigated my injectors and idler pulley, but to no avail. Fortunately they then identified the simple fault, an exhaust bracket had snapped. Welded it together and refitted - good as gold. A really cheap fix to a long term and very annoying problem. Hard to identify though because the sound was unusual for that kind of fault.
