I have a 2003 E320 with about 3k miles. After the first 500 miles, my engine began to make a loud ticking sound like a cross between diesel and a sewing machine at idle and low revs.

After listening to several other e320's at the dealership, we are convinced that our car is louder than the others we've heard. The dealership says the car sounds normal.

MB has informed me in writing, that because the dealership says the car sounds normal, they will not send a rep to evaluate the car.

Questions:
1. Has anyone else experienced this loud ticking noise from the e320 engine (not a motor mount problem), and what fix if any is out there?

2. What recourse do I have in NYS now that MBUSA will not cooperate?

 

can you try another dealer?

 

Sounds like the known problem with the purge valve. As you described, some are louder than others. Mine was loud until the dealer replaced it with a modified version of the purge valve. Ask your dealer about the modified version. I can get you the part number if they play ignorant.

 

Nanky, Can you give us the part number please , coz my service advisor said there's no buletin report about ticking noise on E320

thanks in advance

 

My understanding is that the noisy purge valve is intermittant, depending on buildup. The noise I am hearing is all the time.

 

I will call my service advisor later in the day for the part number. The ticking noise in my E was always there before the valve was replaced. It was not intermittent in my case. We had the same issue with a '01 C320 and that also turned out to be the valve.

 

I am waiting for my service advisor to call me back. In the interim, I found my receipt, no charge of course, for the work that was done. The part number listed is: 000-470-35-93.

The tech's findings as taken from the receipt are as follows: "Found engine noise coming from purge valve. Replaced with modified version of purge valve." I will post again if the information provided is different from what my advisor tells me.

 

Had the purge valve replaced (same part #000-470-35-93 as Nanky). Still not as silent as I would like it to be. Road tested two (2) '04 E320s with the shop foreman and both had the same ticking noise. I know this doesn't help much but at least you know where you stand and that you're not alone in this. By the way, my service narrative specifically states that the MB rep recommended that the valve be replaced.

 

That's true. It's not entirely as quiet as I would like it to be but definitely a whole lot better than before. I have to really listen closely on some days to hear it.

 

Thanks for your input. I will pursue the purge valve replacement, and get back to you with results.

 

I just posted a reply on another thread..my dealer told me over the phone that the noise..ticking..is a result of the the thinner Mobil One oil...a thicker grade would dampen the noise...does this make sense?

 

0W-40 Mobil 1 is essentially a 12W-40 true synthetic. What would they say if they used the 5W-20 petroleum based oil recommended by Honda and Ford?

I think they are handing you some BS but if it was me, I'd put in 15W-50 Mobil 1 to see if that fixes the problem. If not, I'd go back to Mercedes and tell them to come up with a new story.

BTW, synthetic oils may have lower pour points than petroleum based oils but they also maintain a much higher viscosity under pressure.

Calling 0W-40 *thin* simply shows they haven't a clue about what's going on.

 

Thanks for the reply...When I have my E500 serviced, I will suggest changing the Mobil 1 to a the heavier weight...I suspect they don't have a clue either...I will post the outcome.