Start Up Noise after Oil Change
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Jun 2018
Posts: 11
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From: middle GA area
1983 300D; 2016 E350 Wagon
Start Up Noise after Oil Change
I changed the oil for the first time on my newly-acquired 2016 E350 Wagon. (I have done oil changes on other M276 motors I have owned before). After adding the oil, getting the filter back on, etc., I started it and for about 2 or 3 seconds the motor rattled and even "dragged" just a bit before it smoothed out. After 3 seconds or so, it was back to normal and has driven fine. Of course, this got me worried. Is this an unusual occurrence?
Junior Member
Joined: Jul 2025
Posts: 41
Likes: 9
From: Connecticut
E350 Sedan, SLK320, XFire Roadster
When you changed the oil and filter the oil was probably very warm before you started to drain it. This is a good thing and especially if you let the oil completely drain. When you refilled the crankcase with new oil and installed the new filter the valve lifters were slightly depleted of oil as a result of draining. When you started the engine it took a few seconds for the new oil to fill the filter canister and reach the valve lifters. This is a typical occurance and does not cause any damage. You can minimize this by adding a small amount of oil to the filter canister before insatalling the cover.
Out Of Control!!
Joined: Apr 2019
Posts: 11,921
Likes: 6,769
From: Silicon Valley
W212 MY'14 M276-3.5NA @75kMi
STOCK START-UP RATTLE
I changed the oil for the first time on my newly-acquired 2016 E350 Wagon. (I have done oil changes on other M276 motors I have owned before). After adding the oil, getting the filter back on, etc., I started it and for about 2 or 3 seconds the motor rattled and even "dragged" just a bit before it smoothed out. After 3 seconds or so, it was back to normal and has driven fine. Of course, this got me worried. Is this an unusual occurrence?
All you need is to identify what rattle type you're dealing with:
tensioners $$$
intake phasers $$$$
> FREQUENCY:
The rattling may be either random condition once a while or happen more frequently whenthe oil drains out of 4x VVT phasers + 2x secondary tensioners.
It's up to you to repair or ignore rattles:
-- A little rattle after 4 weeks... ok!
-- Rattle every morning... cause camshaft CEL!
-- It's best to be proactive before both intake camshafts reluctors go out.
-- This is a gentle failure you have some time to schedule around.
> QUESTIONS:
- What oil filter did you use ?
- What's the current mileage ?
- What's your favorite oil ?
- Repairs DIY or Dealer/Indy ?
- Have you inspected CPS connectors ?
Last edited by CaliBenzDriver; Oct 25, 2025 at 12:56 PM.
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Jun 2018
Posts: 11
Likes: 0
From: middle GA area
1983 300D; 2016 E350 Wagon
Though I've been around Mercedes all my life, I've only had the one other M276 so I'm still learning all the ins and outs. I used a Purflux oil filter. The current mileage is 91,500 miles. The oil I used was Mobil 1 FS 5W-40. I do some repairs myself (especially on the '83 300D) but if it is something I don't feel I will be able to see through, I will take it to the dealer or a local indy. I'm fairly adventurous with trying something myself, but I don't go crazy with it.
I have inspected the CPS (and cam magnets) for oil in the harness and thankfully there is none. I have already put the sacrificial wiring pigtail on the magnets and I plan to order the CPS soon and install them myself. I'm a little concerned about the 4th CPS that is under the intake manifold. I have watched a lot of videos on how to remove the intake manifold but hoping that I can just loosen it some without having to remove the whole thing. (The hard to reach vacuum connections at the firewall give me a little worry.) I'll take any advice you have on that.
By the way, tell me what CEL means. Thanks for all your help. I am wide open to hearing advice.Thanks!
I have inspected the CPS (and cam magnets) for oil in the harness and thankfully there is none. I have already put the sacrificial wiring pigtail on the magnets and I plan to order the CPS soon and install them myself. I'm a little concerned about the 4th CPS that is under the intake manifold. I have watched a lot of videos on how to remove the intake manifold but hoping that I can just loosen it some without having to remove the whole thing. (The hard to reach vacuum connections at the firewall give me a little worry.) I'll take any advice you have on that.
By the way, tell me what CEL means. Thanks for all your help. I am wide open to hearing advice.Thanks!
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Dec 2020
Posts: 2,412
Likes: 1,482
From: 122W, 37N
2016 E350 4Matic wagon, 2019 Ford Expedition, 2019 Chevy Bolt EV
CEL is the Check Engine Light. you need an ODB code scanner to find out what the CEL means.
I've always used MANN filters on my various Mercedes, afaik, they are still the primary maker of the Mercedes OEM filters. I used them on my old Volvos too, for the same reason.
I've always used MANN filters on my various Mercedes, afaik, they are still the primary maker of the Mercedes OEM filters. I used them on my old Volvos too, for the same reason.
Out Of Control!!
Joined: Apr 2019
Posts: 11,921
Likes: 6,769
From: Silicon Valley
W212 MY'14 M276-3.5NA @75kMi
DIY 100K ITEMS
Though I've been around Mercedes all my life, I've only had the one other M276 so I'm still learning all the ins and outs. I used a Purflux oil filter. The current mileage is 91,500 miles. The oil I used was Mobil 1 FS 5W-40. I do some repairs myself (especially on the '83 300D) but if it is something I don't feel I will be able to see through, I will take it to the dealer or a local indy. I'm fairly adventurous with trying something myself, but I don't go crazy with it.
I have inspected the CPS (and cam magnets) for oil in the harness and thankfully there is none. I have already put the sacrificial wiring pigtail on the magnets and I plan to order the CPS soon and install them myself. I'm a little concerned about the 4th CPS that is under the intake manifold. I have watched a lot of videos on how to remove the intake manifold but hoping that I can just loosen it some without having to remove the whole thing. (The hard to reach vacuum connections at the firewall give me a little worry.) I'll take any advice you have on that.
By the way, tell me what CEL means. Thanks for all your help. I am wide open to hearing advice.Thanks!
I have inspected the CPS (and cam magnets) for oil in the harness and thankfully there is none. I have already put the sacrificial wiring pigtail on the magnets and I plan to order the CPS soon and install them myself. I'm a little concerned about the 4th CPS that is under the intake manifold. I have watched a lot of videos on how to remove the intake manifold but hoping that I can just loosen it some without having to remove the whole thing. (The hard to reach vacuum connections at the firewall give me a little worry.) I'll take any advice you have on that.
By the way, tell me what CEL means. Thanks for all your help. I am wide open to hearing advice.Thanks!
At near 100k mileage my opinion is your engine is ready for replacing:
- 6x Sparkplugs + boots (+ 6x coils?)
- [PCV + HPFP + roller]
- air filter
- 6x intake green-seals
- empty intake oil
- replace secondary tensioners
- inspect VVT Phaser locks
The key is to group DIY maintenance items so you don't need to duplicate steps about
-- Plenum removal for plugs + VVT + CPS + PCV...
-- High-pressure pump for VVT + PCV...
Last edited by CaliBenzDriver; Oct 25, 2025 at 05:51 PM.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 2,616
Likes: 160
From: Southeastern USA
2010 E350 Luxury Sedan, Engine 272 (V6)
I changed the oil for the first time on my newly-acquired 2016 E350 Wagon. (I have done oil changes on other M276 motors I have owned before). After adding the oil, getting the filter back on, etc., I started it and for about 2 or 3 seconds the motor rattled and even "dragged" just a bit before it smoothed out. After 3 seconds or so, it was back to normal and has driven fine. Of course, this got me worried. Is this an unusual occurrence?
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MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: May 2018
Posts: 6,600
Likes: 6,543
From: Jakarta-Indonesia
2014 - W212.065 - E400 ( M276.820, 3 liter Turbo) RWD not Hybrid
Typical oil pressure build up at engine oil filter during cold start with engine been turned off a few days is about 5 seconds.
If you want near zero noise due to oil starvation after oil change, you can use the Xentry compression test feature to crank-no-start and drive up oil pressure a bit,
like pre-lubing the engine with oil at 200 RPM ( cranking speed is 200 RPM ).
Do the Xentry Compression Test 3 times. By doing this, the oil pressure build up at engine oil filter during cold start will be 1.5 seconds or sooner.
Below is Xentry compression test. In fact BMW reccomends doing this style of pre-lubing using starter motor : https://mbworld.org/forums/e-class-w...l-priming.html
For M276 , is of no use when you try to fill oil into its oil filter metal base/body....it will drain.
.
This is 60 days of my engine first start, having zero oil in it for 60 days, because I replaced its oil cooler which is special order from Germany 45+ days...dugghh.
The long crank is because I removed the high pressure fuel pump and did many parts refresh on my engine/car.
I did 4 time Xentry compression test to aid the pre-lubing.
Some high pitch noise you are hearing is the turbocharger wastgate rattle ( normal ).
Note : the noise shield of the injectors were still removed too.
====================
This is how slow oil pressure build up at the engine oil filter, my oil pressure sensor is there. This is COLD start, at 30C ambient temp.
All engine sound shield install, but hood is open as you can see. You only need to watch the first 20 seconds, enough.
.
------
What you do not want to hear is VVT famous dance knocking like below video :
Fast dance
or/and
Still a slow dance
Decent dance
.
If you want near zero noise due to oil starvation after oil change, you can use the Xentry compression test feature to crank-no-start and drive up oil pressure a bit,
like pre-lubing the engine with oil at 200 RPM ( cranking speed is 200 RPM ).
Do the Xentry Compression Test 3 times. By doing this, the oil pressure build up at engine oil filter during cold start will be 1.5 seconds or sooner.
Below is Xentry compression test. In fact BMW reccomends doing this style of pre-lubing using starter motor : https://mbworld.org/forums/e-class-w...l-priming.html
For M276 , is of no use when you try to fill oil into its oil filter metal base/body....it will drain.
.
This is 60 days of my engine first start, having zero oil in it for 60 days, because I replaced its oil cooler which is special order from Germany 45+ days...dugghh.
The long crank is because I removed the high pressure fuel pump and did many parts refresh on my engine/car.
I did 4 time Xentry compression test to aid the pre-lubing.
Some high pitch noise you are hearing is the turbocharger wastgate rattle ( normal ).
Note : the noise shield of the injectors were still removed too.
====================
This is how slow oil pressure build up at the engine oil filter, my oil pressure sensor is there. This is COLD start, at 30C ambient temp.
All engine sound shield install, but hood is open as you can see. You only need to watch the first 20 seconds, enough.
.
------
What you do not want to hear is VVT famous dance knocking like below video :
Fast dance
or/and
Still a slow dance
Decent dance
.
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