SOLVED - Engine rattle on startup, timing chain rattle on low rpm driving
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Nov 2024
Posts: 47
Likes: 28
GLK350, SL500 (R230), E55 (w210)
SOLVED - Engine rattle on startup, timing chain rattle on low rpm driving
How: Disconnected the low-pressure oil pump solenoid on my m276 (2013 GLK 350)...
Solved:
- Engine rattle on startup (when hot)
- Low rpm rattle when driving around town
+ And the engine feels more responsive and smoother
I'll report back if any fuel economy change, but regardless I am leaving it unplugged. The engine feels much healthier and just like it should from the factory...
Pretty shocking, wanted to share. I was thinking about upgrade the timing chain tensioners... not anymore.
More info:
https://mbworld.org/forums/w212-amg/...solenoids.html
Solved:
- Engine rattle on startup (when hot)
- Low rpm rattle when driving around town
+ And the engine feels more responsive and smoother
I'll report back if any fuel economy change, but regardless I am leaving it unplugged. The engine feels much healthier and just like it should from the factory...
Pretty shocking, wanted to share. I was thinking about upgrade the timing chain tensioners... not anymore.
More info:
https://mbworld.org/forums/w212-amg/...solenoids.html
Last edited by Bertie_; Nov 29, 2024 at 12:23 PM.
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How: Disconnected the low-pressure oil pump solenoid on my m276 (2013 GLK 350)...
Solved:
- Engine rattle on startup (when hot)
- Low rpm rattle when driving around town
+ And the engine feels more responsive and smoother
I'll report back if any fuel economy change, but regardless I am leaving it unplugged. The engine feels much healthier and just like it should from the factory...
Pretty shocking, wanted to share. I was thinking about upgrade the timing chain tensioners... not anymore.
More info:
https://mbworld.org/forums/w212-amg/...solenoids.html
Solved:
- Engine rattle on startup (when hot)
- Low rpm rattle when driving around town
+ And the engine feels more responsive and smoother
I'll report back if any fuel economy change, but regardless I am leaving it unplugged. The engine feels much healthier and just like it should from the factory...
Pretty shocking, wanted to share. I was thinking about upgrade the timing chain tensioners... not anymore.
More info:
https://mbworld.org/forums/w212-amg/...solenoids.html
Super Member
Joined: Feb 2023
Posts: 728
Likes: 271
2011 GLK 350 4Matic
Interesting concept. Another case where chasing tiny incremental improvements in gas mileage (to meet CAFE standards) causes MUCH bigger problems than it solves.
My only question is, is there a similar (bad) system on the M272 engine? It seems to be devoid of most of the issues of the later version engines, and of course, the GLK never had an issue with the balance shaft problem since that was sorted by 2008...
My only question is, is there a similar (bad) system on the M272 engine? It seems to be devoid of most of the issues of the later version engines, and of course, the GLK never had an issue with the balance shaft problem since that was sorted by 2008...
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Nov 2024
Posts: 47
Likes: 28
GLK350, SL500 (R230), E55 (w210)
The m276 has TSB's on startup rattle for pre-2014 models
I had the symptoms and my engine falls within the "replace timing chain tensioner and check valve"
Deactivating this low-pressure solenoid just fixed it
I had the symptoms and my engine falls within the "replace timing chain tensioner and check valve"
Deactivating this low-pressure solenoid just fixed it
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Joined: Jun 2021
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From: South Texas
2014 GLK350 base model (active) ; 2001 E320 base (retired); 2001 Wrangler soft-top
Hmmm. There are folks with 2014+ reporting the same
What about this example (I may have misunderstood the diff):
https://mbworld.org/forums/glk-class...-rattle-2.html
There's an old saying, "only time will tell". 🙂
Where's confident evidence this works for others IN THE LONG TERM?? Doing this disconnect "fix" may alleviate the noise, but not the underlying issue
https://mbworld.org/forums/glk-class...-rattle-2.html
There's an old saying, "only time will tell". 🙂
Where's confident evidence this works for others IN THE LONG TERM?? Doing this disconnect "fix" may alleviate the noise, but not the underlying issue
Last edited by calder-cay; Nov 29, 2024 at 02:48 PM.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Nov 2024
Posts: 47
Likes: 28
GLK350, SL500 (R230), E55 (w210)
and made a decision for myself
Running at "normal" oil pressure has solved these problems for me
Last edited by Bertie_; Nov 29, 2024 at 03:04 PM.
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Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Nov 2024
Posts: 47
Likes: 28
GLK350, SL500 (R230), E55 (w210)
Hmmm. There are folks with 2014+ reporting the same
What about this example (I may have misunderstood the diff):
https://mbworld.org/forums/glk-class...-rattle-2.html
There's an old saying, "only time will tell". 🙂
Where's confident evidence this works for others IN THE LONG TERM?? Doing this disconnect "fix" may alleviate the noise, but not the underlying issue
What about this example (I may have misunderstood the diff):
https://mbworld.org/forums/glk-class...-rattle-2.html
There's an old saying, "only time will tell". 🙂
Where's confident evidence this works for others IN THE LONG TERM?? Doing this disconnect "fix" may alleviate the noise, but not the underlying issue
Car is running great and I'm happy
Will provide an update if I ever notice symptoms return
Until then, I'm happy to be running "normal" oil pressure
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2011 GLK 350 4Matic
From everything I read, it sure seems like a safe and sensible "modification". Basically all you're doing is to eliminate the "low oil pressure operation" of the engine under certain conditions. And given the issues that the M276 has with oiling, that can only be a good thing (IMHO, YMMV).
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From everything I read, it sure seems like a safe and sensible "modification". Basically all you're doing is to eliminate the "low oil pressure operation" of the engine under certain conditions. And given the issues that the M276 has with oiling, that can only be a good thing (IMHO, YMMV).
Different vehicle but same engine.
Here is the survey (linked in the big thread) of people with different models and engines unplugged: https://forms.office.com/Pages/Analy...g1Mkw1WkJVNS4u
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2011 GLK 350 4Matic
The linked threads (very long) do show diagrams of the location of the sensor. Looks like it's just to the right (car's right) of the crankshaft pulley, and reached from underneath (only). There are photos and diagrams showing the location.
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MBWorld God!
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MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jun 2021
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From: South Texas
2014 GLK350 base model (active) ; 2001 E320 base (retired); 2001 Wrangler soft-top
And this quote from Post #15 in this thread:
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MBWorld God!
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Newbie
Joined: Jul 2025
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2013 C350 AMG Sport+, 2006 ML320
I have a C350 2013 (M276) with startup rattle as well, and my engine also falls under the "replace chain tensioner and install check valve" category.
Might try this mod, since it fixed the startup rattle for you.
You still haven't replaced chain tensioners and installed check valve, right?
Another suggestion I got from a retired Mercedes mechanic was to try thicker motor oil.
Might try this mod, since it fixed the startup rattle for you.
You still haven't replaced chain tensioners and installed check valve, right?
Another suggestion I got from a retired Mercedes mechanic was to try thicker motor oil.
Last edited by gbm; Jul 10, 2025 at 09:33 AM.
