Let's try to solve the now much debated engine ticking problem in the e500 starting with a few basic facts / assumptions.

These come from 1) previous threads and 2) personal experience.

1) No one has reported the problem with an E320
2) Therefore, w are talking about the e500 ONLY
3) Not all E500's have the problem
4) The engine ticking IS coming from THE engine
4) It is not the drive train, exhaust system, radio, brake cables, foot tapping, hand tapping, etc
5) Accoring to those that HAVE the PROBLEM, a) it is clearly AUDIBLE idling and low spead excelerating and b) it is clearly AUDIBLE inside and outside the car
6) This is not a new MB engine in 2003 (correct??)

Using this as a basis, lets get and post some real feedback by calling our dealers or better yet stoping in to have them listen to that 'ticking' sound.

Let's post answers identifying and solving the problem ...

 

OK, me first.


I called two dealers.

Dealer 1 indicated that 'if you stick your head under the hood, it is normal to hear a light ticking sound from the injectors opening and closing (Apperently this sound does not come from the valves). However, hearing this sound inside the cabin does not seem correct. He needs to have the car in front of him to determne if the ticking sound is normal, the sign of a problem or in my head.

Dealer 2 Indicated that a) it is normal to hear some ticking from the lifters and 2) that the aluminum engine is somewhat louder than previos MB engines. This engine has been out since 1998 and is common to a late model 500 series MB cars, including the ML.

HERE IS THE MOST TELLING PART OF THE CONVERSATION - MOST TECHS ARE JUST BEING TRAINED ON THE E SERIES STARTING THIS MONTH AND DO NOT HAVE THE SERVICE MANUALS.



More later!

 

my question is

does e500 use the same engine that s500 (or sl500) uses?

if it does, why haven't we heard the complains from s500 owners?

because not all of e500 have this problem, we should treat it as a individual problem.

 

Good point. I think the S500 at least is the same engine as the E500.

 

According to one dealer --- The engine has been out since 98. The overall engine design goes accross the entire MB lineup. The V8 is the same one used in all 500 series cars including the ML since that time.

 

yes sky is right in both posts, they we should show the dealers, and all the 500's right now, are in fact the same engines

 

A DTB has been issued to resolve this issue - your service department should know about it. Apparantly 2 motor mounts were the culprit.

It's a testament to MB workmanship that the only complaints are tiny ones like these.