Tick tick sound after engine warm up at idle
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 18
Likes: 0
2006 Mercedes E350 4Matic (W211.087)
Tick tick sound after engine warm up at idle
Hi all,
My W211 engine makes tick tick sound once it's warmed up at idle. That noise comes from the bottom of the engine.
In most cases, this tick tick noise comes from valve lifter at cold start, I think. However, my W211 doesn't make tick tick noise at cold start. Only after the engine is warmed up like 85-degree C.
Where is this noise coming from and what is the solution to remove it?
Thank you in advance.
My W211 engine makes tick tick sound once it's warmed up at idle. That noise comes from the bottom of the engine.
In most cases, this tick tick noise comes from valve lifter at cold start, I think. However, my W211 doesn't make tick tick noise at cold start. Only after the engine is warmed up like 85-degree C.
Where is this noise coming from and what is the solution to remove it?
Thank you in advance.
Last edited by astrobike; Oct 18, 2014 at 02:34 AM. Reason: More details
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 18
Likes: 0
2006 Mercedes E350 4Matic (W211.087)
Thank for your comment, MasterMoparSB. 
Below is a W211 video shot in Youtube which has a same noise as mine. Please focus on the noise after 00:52 of this video. The ticking noise can be heard easier outside of the fender than inside of the engine room.
Below is another video shot in Youtube. Please hear the ticking sound 1:00 to 1:30 in this video.
Any idea to remove this noise?
Below is a W211 video shot in Youtube which has a same noise as mine. Please focus on the noise after 00:52 of this video. The ticking noise can be heard easier outside of the fender than inside of the engine room.
Below is another video shot in Youtube. Please hear the ticking sound 1:00 to 1:30 in this video.
Any idea to remove this noise?
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 467
Likes: 1
From: Long Island, NY
A few toys & 07' E350 4matic w/AMG sport packg.
My car sounds identical to the first video, IMO nothing is wrong at all. I'm sitting in my car right now and it sounds just like that, and it has for quite some time now, probably for the last 30k or so, I have 65k now.
The second video sounds like a timing problem, and sounds pretty bad
The second video sounds like a timing problem, and sounds pretty bad
Junior Member
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 68
Likes: 0
06 E350
My 06 E350 sounds exactly like the one in video 1. Car runs perfect, but the sound is annoying when the engine gets hot. What causes that and how to fix the problem? Not all of them develop this issue though, so this is not a typical overhead cam behaviour.
Junior Member
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 65
Likes: 8
2003 W211 Avantgarde (Sport), 2007 E550 Sport package
I had a tick that really concerned me, found that it's the Evaporator purge vacum valve solenoid. Like you I could hear it outside the car as well. I put my hand on it and I could feel the solenoid ticking in perfect time with the sound. I've read you can clean them with MAF cleaner. Just a thought
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Junior Member
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 65
Likes: 8
2003 W211 Avantgarde (Sport), 2007 E550 Sport package
the solenoid does run intermittently, on mine it clicks when I first start the car for several minutes then occasionally after that. I had spent a fair bit of time tracking the tick down and initially I thought it was coming from the motor, either the front of the motor or down low by the A/C pump with the hood open. look behind your drivers side headlight assembly and you'll see a solenoid mounted on a rubber insulator mounted to the radiator support. It has 2 hoses going to it. Start your car (be careful of turning belt) and put your hand on the solenoid and you will feel it working. Thats how I discovered the scary ticking under the hood. Hope this helps you
Member
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 135
Likes: 2
2009 E350 4Matic Sport sedan
tick, tick, tick...I hear you!
Craigc's diagnosis and comments are right on. When I first acquired my '09 E350, I swore I was hearing a bad lifter. But the dealer's best tech immediately pointed out the Evaporator purge valve as the culprit. FYI-they would not replace it under warranty...said that noise is "normal".
60K miles and 4 years later, it's still there...no worse, no better.
relinuca
60K miles and 4 years later, it's still there...no worse, no better.
relinuca
Senior Member
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 485
Likes: 31
From: Concord, CA
'13 E350 . M276
Mine makes that ticking noise if gear is in drive or reverse after car has warmed up, e.g. when I arrive home and drive into my garage you could certainly hear it. However, not when in neutral. How about you guys?
Junior Member
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 65
Likes: 8
2003 W211 Avantgarde (Sport), 2007 E550 Sport package
Once I discovered the source of the tick I cleaned it by following a DIY link with MAF cleaner but it didn't help with the sound level coming from it. I know its working so I never investigated when it runs or does not. If it stops working you will get a code. It does run intermittently when its operating correctly so I don't bother with it any more.
Senior Member
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 485
Likes: 31
From: Concord, CA
'13 E350 . M276
the solenoid does run intermittently, on mine it clicks when I first start the car for several minutes then occasionally after that. I had spent a fair bit of time tracking the tick down and initially I thought it was coming from the motor, either the front of the motor or down low by the A/C pump with the hood open. look behind your drivers side headlight assembly and you'll see a solenoid mounted on a rubber insulator mounted to the radiator support. It has 2 hoses going to it. Start your car (be careful of turning belt) and put your hand on the solenoid and you will feel it working. Thats how I discovered the scary ticking under the hood. Hope this helps you
Senior Member
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 485
Likes: 31
From: Concord, CA
'13 E350 . M276
Yes, mine is very noticeable when car is warm and in gear. I think I'm gonna clean this solenoid with MAF to see if noise would quite down. Is taking it off just involves removing electrical plug and 2 hoses going in and out?
Senior Member
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 485
Likes: 31
From: Concord, CA
'13 E350 . M276
I am updating my ticking noise problem. A couple of days ago, I finally got a new purge valve solenoid and changed it in a couple of minutes. The ticking sound is now gone. One "amateur mechanic" had told me my lifters were bad. I'm so relieved to know he was wrong. I owe it to this forum for having guided me on this issue. Thanks konigstiger for providing me with the most updated part number. Thanks guys!
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 3,184
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From: Highlands Ranch, Colorado
2014 BMW M235i
Might try this... have what seems to be a noisier lifter (it's pretty much remained the same the entire life of the car though) but seems to be noticeable more when the car is hot. How much was the fix?
Newbie
Joined: May 2021
Posts: 4
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2010 E350
Thank for your comment, MasterMoparSB.
Below is a W211 video shot in Youtube which has a same noise as mine. Please focus on the noise after 00:52 of this video. The ticking noise can be heard easier outside of the fender than inside of the engine room.
2008 E350 w211 Ticking Noise - YouTube
Below is another video shot in Youtube. Please hear the ticking sound 1:00 to 1:30 in this video.
2012 Mercedes Benz E350 Engine unusual noise - YouTube
Any idea to remove this noise?
Below is a W211 video shot in Youtube which has a same noise as mine. Please focus on the noise after 00:52 of this video. The ticking noise can be heard easier outside of the fender than inside of the engine room.
2008 E350 w211 Ticking Noise - YouTube
Below is another video shot in Youtube. Please hear the ticking sound 1:00 to 1:30 in this video.
2012 Mercedes Benz E350 Engine unusual noise - YouTube
Any idea to remove this noise?
