Cold Start Rattle
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Oct 2016
Posts: 24
Likes: 1
2008 E350
Cold Start Rattle
Hello, has any heard this noise before and found what it was? It happens when the car sits for a day. I noticed it happens as the rpms rev down after the cold start. It lasts for a second or less. Its a quick short ratter sound. Heres a video of the noise.
08 E350
thank you!
08 E350
thank you!
Junior Member
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 35
Likes: 1
From: Georgia
2009 ML350 4matic, 2017 GLS450
I'm curious to see the replies on this.
My 2009 ML 350 does this exact thing... If it sits overnight, when I crank in the morning on a cold start it idles up just fine, but then the RPM's drop for just a second and it makes that exact rattle. It won't do it again for the rest of the day.
I made a service appointment today, and will try and drop mine off over the weekend. I'm happy to update if you are interested. I'm in an ML but I guess it's the same engine? Oh, for what it's worth my timing chain was replaced by Mercedes a couple years ago at 70k miles. I'm at 120k miles now.
My 2009 ML 350 does this exact thing... If it sits overnight, when I crank in the morning on a cold start it idles up just fine, but then the RPM's drop for just a second and it makes that exact rattle. It won't do it again for the rest of the day.
I made a service appointment today, and will try and drop mine off over the weekend. I'm happy to update if you are interested. I'm in an ML but I guess it's the same engine? Oh, for what it's worth my timing chain was replaced by Mercedes a couple years ago at 70k miles. I'm at 120k miles now.
Last edited by DATL; Nov 30, 2017 at 12:08 PM. Reason: typo
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Oct 2016
Posts: 24
Likes: 1
2008 E350
I'm curious to see the replies on this.
My 2009 ML 350 does this exact thing... If it sits overnight, when I crank in the morning on a cold start it idles up just fine, but then the RPM's drop for just a second and it makes that exact rattle. It won't do it again for the rest of the day.
I made a service appointment today, and will try and drop mine off over the weekend. I'm happy to update if you are interested. I'm in an ML but I guess it's the same engine? Oh, for what it's worth my timing chain was replaced by Mercedes a couple years ago at 70k miles. I'm at 120k miles now.
My 2009 ML 350 does this exact thing... If it sits overnight, when I crank in the morning on a cold start it idles up just fine, but then the RPM's drop for just a second and it makes that exact rattle. It won't do it again for the rest of the day.
I made a service appointment today, and will try and drop mine off over the weekend. I'm happy to update if you are interested. I'm in an ML but I guess it's the same engine? Oh, for what it's worth my timing chain was replaced by Mercedes a couple years ago at 70k miles. I'm at 120k miles now.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Oct 2016
Posts: 24
Likes: 1
2008 E350
Has anyone else heard this noise? Is it because the oil drains back into the pan, oil pressure, or could it be something else? Seems to come from the right side of engine area (passenger), only on the first cold start after sitting for a day.
Last edited by Marsaydeez; Dec 2, 2017 at 02:09 PM.
Super Member
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 809
Likes: 74
From: Dallas, TX
2008 E63 wagon (1 of 62)
Could be a bad camshaft adjuster or timing chain tensioner. Sounds like the oil pressure has bled back out of the component and its waiting to be pumped back up on startup.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Oct 2016
Posts: 24
Likes: 1
2008 E350
But if this is caused by lack of oil pressure because the car sat for a period of time and the oil drained, is there any solution other then starting the car more often?
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Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Oct 2016
Posts: 24
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2008 E350
It seems to happen more often now, every day theres a brief rattle noise on start up, only occurring on the first start.
Could it be failing cam solenoid magnets effecting timing, maybe oil fouled if they are old?
Could it be failing cam solenoid magnets effecting timing, maybe oil fouled if they are old?
Junior Member
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 35
Likes: 1
From: Georgia
2009 ML350 4matic, 2017 GLS450
Same here- it’s happening more frequently for me as well. Just the first start of the day.
I looked up what people experienced with bad camshaft solenoids, magnets, etc... and saw a lot of instances with symptoms like ours. Curious to see what MB says. Especially since they just replaced my timing chain a couple years ago at 80k miles...
Hopefully ill I’ll get an update today!
I looked up what people experienced with bad camshaft solenoids, magnets, etc... and saw a lot of instances with symptoms like ours. Curious to see what MB says. Especially since they just replaced my timing chain a couple years ago at 80k miles...
Hopefully ill I’ll get an update today!
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 1,059
Likes: 73
From: DC Metro Area
2007 Mercedes E550
What I noticed is that your drive belt was making notice. If it were my car I would change (or inspect) the belt, and very closely look at the pulleys for wear or vibrations. I have owned 2 mercedes cars where one of the pulleys fails, and it is no fun.
Junior Member
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 35
Likes: 1
From: Georgia
2009 ML350 4matic, 2017 GLS450
The dealer states it is not making any noises uncharacteristic of this motor. They said they compared it to another vehicle with the same motor. The SA says these motors make quite a bit of noise, and the tech/foreman do not hear anything to worry about.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Oct 2016
Posts: 24
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2008 E350
Ok. Mine continues to make the rattle on the first start, the rpms jump a little then evens out, can feel the vibration and hear the rattle from inside the car. It doesnt effect the car yet but i wonder why the noise is more often now, instead of just from sitting for a day?
Junior Member
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 35
Likes: 1
From: Georgia
2009 ML350 4matic, 2017 GLS450
I told my SA I had found a video (your video) that showed the EXACT issue I am referencing. I told him it was not my car, but offered to send it anyways just so they heard specifically what I am referring to- since they are saying it sounds normal. I just wanted to make sure they knew specifically which noise I’m concerned about. He asked me to email it so he could show the tech and foreman. He he hasn’t responded yet, but I’ll let you know what he says FWIW
Last edited by DATL; Mar 2, 2018 at 02:19 PM.
Junior Member
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 35
Likes: 1
From: Georgia
2009 ML350 4matic, 2017 GLS450
My SA said they viewed the first video, and it sounds like it’s starving for oil. I guess you probably knew that. They had no recommendation, and couldn’t get mine to make the noise. I think because it was warm. I’m going to call some Indy shops and see if they have some experience with it.
I did ask about cam solenoids and/or magnets and they said the solenoid is just a sensor so wouldn’t do anything to help if it was making that noise.
I read somewhere about having check valves replaced/installed that help the oil to the top of the engine?
I found people on a Toyota forum talking about having this issue, and they just ignore it, and it’s been 100k miles making that cold start noise, so I’m confused if I should even do anything lol.
I did ask about cam solenoids and/or magnets and they said the solenoid is just a sensor so wouldn’t do anything to help if it was making that noise.
I read somewhere about having check valves replaced/installed that help the oil to the top of the engine?
I found people on a Toyota forum talking about having this issue, and they just ignore it, and it’s been 100k miles making that cold start noise, so I’m confused if I should even do anything lol.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Apr 2015
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From: dmv
2009 E550 2000 Honda civic mash n' go
cam adjusters or worn chain/chain tensioner.
the m278 video is infact defective chain tensioners and or it not having check valves installed. Oil bleeds off aftter sitting.
the m278 video is infact defective chain tensioners and or it not having check valves installed. Oil bleeds off aftter sitting.
Newbie
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 13
Likes: 0
From: Romania
W208-CLK200K, W163-ML55AMG, W164-ML320CDI, W251-R350-4m, W205 C350e
Anyone found the cause ?
I have the exact same issue, if car sits more days it makes the exact same rattle noise when dropping rpm from 1400 to lower, around 1200rpm. Noise appear, rpm drops to 1000rpm then comes back up a little when noise disappears. Sometimes the noise is louder , sometimes a bit softer. Here's a video of it when the sound is not that loud:
I have the exact same issue, if car sits more days it makes the exact same rattle noise when dropping rpm from 1400 to lower, around 1200rpm. Noise appear, rpm drops to 1000rpm then comes back up a little when noise disappears. Sometimes the noise is louder , sometimes a bit softer. Here's a video of it when the sound is not that loud:
Junior Member
Joined: Aug 2016
Posts: 18
Likes: 1
2006 C350 4MATIC
Hate to bump an old thread, but has anybody found a solution to this? My car makes the same sound on startup, but the grinding lasts a few seconds longer and the engine starts shaking like crazy, the rpms also start fluctuating up/down as well. Varies on the temperature as well. If it's 25F outside, it'll go on for like 5+ seconds and I panic and restart the engine, then it starts fine... If it's 50F outside it may only last 2 seconds. Maybe once a month it won't happen at all.
Junior Member
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 61
Likes: 14
From: Richmond VA
'17 E400 wagon
It definitely sounds mechanical in the first video. The fact that its not immediately after starting but a few seconds after, makes me suspect its the chain tensioner. As the tensioner goes thru its range from loose (no oil pressure) to tight (good full supply of oil pressure). Somewhere in the middle of the range, it is contacting something or maybe the chain is contacting something. Then once its fully tight it no longer is contacting the part.
I just found this thread about the sprocket/chain issue. Could this be the noise? the chain and sprocket slipping teeth?
https://www.benzworld.org/forums/w20...t-problem.html
I just found this thread about the sprocket/chain issue. Could this be the noise? the chain and sprocket slipping teeth?
https://www.benzworld.org/forums/w20...t-problem.html
Junior Member
Joined: Jan 2019
Posts: 19
Likes: 11
E350
Try flushing the engine by adding one quart
to the crankcase for 25 minutes at idle and then immediately change the oil, but substitute one quart of the new oil with Marvel Mystery Oil. Use a Purolator Boss Filter. Repeat again after 500 miles. I had a much worse, mechanical rattle-at-startup disappear on my '08 E350 after 2,500 miles of using the Marvel Mystery Oil. An oil leak disappeared as well.
I've read the tolerances are very tight on the M272 engine and it is therefore sensitive to even minute amounts of sludge. After 30 years' experience with other MBs, I've found engines and transmissions can react negatively to seemingly invisible amounts of dirt, lacquer, carbon, etc.
I've read the tolerances are very tight on the M272 engine and it is therefore sensitive to even minute amounts of sludge. After 30 years' experience with other MBs, I've found engines and transmissions can react negatively to seemingly invisible amounts of dirt, lacquer, carbon, etc.
Newbie
Joined: Feb 2019
Posts: 7
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W211 E350 4matic
This is the solution - https://ml-club.ru/forums/topic/4300...0-w164/?page=9
I have the same problem, the car stays for few days and 1st start was the same. Also when cold, the car does it on the next morning, just after one night sitting. There is o-ring on the inlet of the oil pump. With the time this o-ring become hard like plastic so it can not do his job anymore. Part number of the o-ring is A0149973148. After changing the o-ring i have no more issues. It is russian forum, but can be translated to english if you want to read it from page one.
I have the same problem, the car stays for few days and 1st start was the same. Also when cold, the car does it on the next morning, just after one night sitting. There is o-ring on the inlet of the oil pump. With the time this o-ring become hard like plastic so it can not do his job anymore. Part number of the o-ring is A0149973148. After changing the o-ring i have no more issues. It is russian forum, but can be translated to english if you want to read it from page one.
Junior Member
Joined: Aug 2016
Posts: 18
Likes: 1
2006 C350 4MATIC
This is the solution - https://ml-club.ru/forums/topic/4300...0-w164/?page=9
I have the same problem, the car stays for few days and 1st start was the same. Also when cold, the car does it on the next morning, just after one night sitting. There is o-ring on the inlet of the oil pump. With the time this o-ring become hard like plastic so it can not do his job anymore. Part number of the o-ring is A0149973148. After changing the o-ring i have no more issues. It is russian forum, but can be translated to english if you want to read it from page one.
I have the same problem, the car stays for few days and 1st start was the same. Also when cold, the car does it on the next morning, just after one night sitting. There is o-ring on the inlet of the oil pump. With the time this o-ring become hard like plastic so it can not do his job anymore. Part number of the o-ring is A0149973148. After changing the o-ring i have no more issues. It is russian forum, but can be translated to english if you want to read it from page one.
