Valve Lifters Play - 2006 ML500
#1
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Valve Lifters Play - 2006 ML500
Hi Everyone,
1- Because of leaky gasket, I removed the valve cover, driver side. Once removed, I checked the valve lifters. Most of them have some slack, couple of millimeters or so, side to side direction. Please see the attached video. I wonder if that's how they're supposed to be. A few of them though are rock solid, no slack at all. All of them are solid in up/down direction. Please give me some guidance. I do have ticking sound when the engine is cold.
2- The breather cover which is somehow glued to the main cover, also leaks but it doesn't come off. I tried prying, impact by mallet, hair dryer, acetone, WD-40, no luck; the glue/rtv is off white in color. The whole thing is so fragile I applied gentle force throughout. I wonder if I can use blow torch. Any suggestion please.
1- Because of leaky gasket, I removed the valve cover, driver side. Once removed, I checked the valve lifters. Most of them have some slack, couple of millimeters or so, side to side direction. Please see the attached video. I wonder if that's how they're supposed to be. A few of them though are rock solid, no slack at all. All of them are solid in up/down direction. Please give me some guidance. I do have ticking sound when the engine is cold.
2- The breather cover which is somehow glued to the main cover, also leaks but it doesn't come off. I tried prying, impact by mallet, hair dryer, acetone, WD-40, no luck; the glue/rtv is off white in color. The whole thing is so fragile I applied gentle force throughout. I wonder if I can use blow torch. Any suggestion please.
#2
MBWorld Fanatic!
You must use a non metal cutter/scraper to remove the vent cover. Screws must be replaced, as they are one time use.
Sealant is found at the bottom of the PDF.
#3
Super Member
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: Melbourne, Australia
Posts: 688
Received 284 Likes
on
227 Posts
2010 ML550 VIN WDC1641722A564750, 2010 B180
The solid ones are most likely the rockers that are under tension from the camshaft lobes. The loose ones should then be closed valves with no tension from the camshaft lobes.
To determine if the side to side movement is the same for all the rockers, turn the engine so those rockers that are now under tension from the lobes, run on the based circle of the cam. The valves for those should then be closed. Then check them for movement. I bet they will be the same. Every rocker will have some movement when its not under tension and the engine isnt running as the lifters are also hydraulic and won't have oil pressure to pump them up. You didn't state how many miles your car has done, but I'd bet what you are seeing is normal as if that level of play wasn't normal, your engine would be running pretty badly.
To determine if the side to side movement is the same for all the rockers, turn the engine so those rockers that are now under tension from the lobes, run on the based circle of the cam. The valves for those should then be closed. Then check them for movement. I bet they will be the same. Every rocker will have some movement when its not under tension and the engine isnt running as the lifters are also hydraulic and won't have oil pressure to pump them up. You didn't state how many miles your car has done, but I'd bet what you are seeing is normal as if that level of play wasn't normal, your engine would be running pretty badly.
Last edited by BlackML550; 12-28-2020 at 06:04 AM.
#4
Senior Member
Thread Starter
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1
You must use a non metal cutter/scraper to remove the vent cover. Screws must be replaced, as they are one time use.
Sealant is found at the bottom of the PDF.
You must use a non metal cutter/scraper to remove the vent cover. Screws must be replaced, as they are one time use.
Sealant is found at the bottom of the PDF.
Would you also please let me know the torque for the main valve cover. Thanks.
#5
Senior Member
Thread Starter
The solid ones are most likely the rockers that are under tension from the camshaft lobes. The loose ones should then be closed valves with no tension from the camshaft lobes.
To determine if the side to side movement is the same for all the rockers, turn the engine so those rockers that are now under tension from the lobes, run on the based circle of the cam. The valves for those should then be closed. Then check them for movement. I bet they will be the same. Every rocker will have some movement when its not under tension and the engine isnt running as the lifters are also hydraulic and won't have oil pressure to pump them up. You didn't state how many miles your car has done, but I'd bet what you are seeing is normal as if that level of play wasn't normal, your engine would be running pretty badly.
To determine if the side to side movement is the same for all the rockers, turn the engine so those rockers that are now under tension from the lobes, run on the based circle of the cam. The valves for those should then be closed. Then check them for movement. I bet they will be the same. Every rocker will have some movement when its not under tension and the engine isnt running as the lifters are also hydraulic and won't have oil pressure to pump them up. You didn't state how many miles your car has done, but I'd bet what you are seeing is normal as if that level of play wasn't normal, your engine would be running pretty badly.
#6
MBWorld Fanatic!
9Nm.
After seating the valve cover, make sure that the rear part of the cover's gasket is not out of place. Use a mirror to do so. Then torque it down,
Last edited by Maj. Dundee; 12-28-2020 at 02:53 PM.
#7
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Trending Topics
#8
Super Member
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: Melbourne, Australia
Posts: 688
Received 284 Likes
on
227 Posts
2010 ML550 VIN WDC1641722A564750, 2010 B180
If you have a problem it will most likely be the lifters that sit between the rocker and the camshaft. I'd say change the oil first and make sure you are using the correct grade oil and a good one at that. If the problem persists you will need to dismantle the valve train to inspect it. Only then will you know what the source is. Ticking when cold is almost always lifters. Lifters aren't the biggest job in the world, but it will still be reasonably expensive given you've got 32 of them plus labour. Maybe others have different experiences. I haven't seen valve train issues on the M273 noted here but they seem to be more common on the W166 and beyond on the V8s it seems.
The following users liked this post:
anavabi (12-28-2020)
#9
Senior Member
Thread Starter
If you have a problem it will most likely be the lifters that sit between the rocker and the camshaft. I'd say change the oil first and make sure you are using the correct grade oil and a good one at that. If the problem persists you will need to dismantle the valve train to inspect it. Only then will you know what the source is. Ticking when cold is almost always lifters. Lifters aren't the biggest job in the world, but it will still be reasonably expensive given you've got 32 of them plus labour. Maybe others have different experiences. I haven't seen valve train issues on the M273 noted here but they seem to be more common on the W166 and beyond on the V8s it seems.
#10
MBWorld Fanatic!
What was the last time you changed the oil?
Have you checked the oil level using a dipstick and checked the level via the Inst. Cluster?
Have you checked the oil level using a dipstick and checked the level via the Inst. Cluster?
#11
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Thanks Major, This car is only equipped with the red oil tube cap that is shown on the very beginning of the video. It's not a dipstick. I only go by the the cluster info panel. I check that periodically. I must say that the mileage has passed due date. But since it's only time related service time I haven't changed oil. Not much kilometers added since last oil change about 8 months ago. It has been mainly parked. But I'm changing the oil today as you suggested to see if it makes the ticking go away. I will report back later today. Thanks
#12
MBWorld Fanatic!
Here is the dipstick that you should order from ebay.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/17364582928...oAAOSwyDdgfSwb
Remove the red cap and slowly insert the stick until it hits the bottom of the oil pan. The stick is much longer than required, so don't think the entire stick must be inserted.
Oil change requires 9.1 qts.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/17364582928...oAAOSwyDdgfSwb
Remove the red cap and slowly insert the stick until it hits the bottom of the oil pan. The stick is much longer than required, so don't think the entire stick must be inserted.
Oil change requires 9.1 qts.
Last edited by Maj. Dundee; 01-19-2022 at 12:15 PM.
#13
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Here is the dipstick that you should order from ebay.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/17364582928...oAAOSwyDdgfSwb
Remove the red cap and slowly insert the stick until it hits the bottom of the oil pan. The stick is much longer than required, so don't think the entire stick must be inserted.
Oil change requires 9.1 qts.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/17364582928...oAAOSwyDdgfSwb
Remove the red cap and slowly insert the stick until it hits the bottom of the oil pan. The stick is much longer than required, so don't think the entire stick must be inserted.
Oil change requires 9.1 qts.
Since the dipstick only shows graduation, what would be the min/max on the graduation scale? Thanks.
#15
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Once the oil was changed, amazingly, and thanks to your guidance, the ticking sound is now completely gone Thank you.
I had to drive the car with ticking sound for about 20 miles, and now everything is fine, do you think any damage was done because of that short drive.
Also, why do we have to use 2 methods to check the oil level. I haven't received that dipstick yet, I only rely on the info by the cluster menu.
Thanks again for the help.
I had to drive the car with ticking sound for about 20 miles, and now everything is fine, do you think any damage was done because of that short drive.
Also, why do we have to use 2 methods to check the oil level. I haven't received that dipstick yet, I only rely on the info by the cluster menu.
Thanks again for the help.
#16
MBWorld Fanatic!
I doubt there was damage.
About the oil level, the Onboard Check will only tell you when you are low starting at 1 qt, and not before that. With your troubles, do you want to drive with low 1 quart?
About the oil level, the Onboard Check will only tell you when you are low starting at 1 qt, and not before that. With your troubles, do you want to drive with low 1 quart?
Last edited by Maj. Dundee; 01-21-2022 at 05:58 AM.
#18
Junior Member
W163 ML500 breather covers
Hi Everyone,
1- Because of leaky gasket, I removed the valve cover, driver side. Once removed, I checked the valve lifters. Most of them have some slack, couple of millimeters or so, side to side direction. Please see the attached video. I wonder if that's how they're supposed to be. A few of them though are rock solid, no slack at all. All of them are solid in up/down direction. Please give me some guidance. I do have ticking sound when the engine is cold.
2- The breather cover which is somehow glued to the main cover, also leaks but it doesn't come off. I tried prying, impact by mallet, hair dryer, acetone, WD-40, no luck; the glue/rtv is off white in color. The whole thing is so fragile I applied gentle force throughout. I wonder if I can use blow torch. Any suggestion please.
https://youtu.be/finEov9GBwg
1- Because of leaky gasket, I removed the valve cover, driver side. Once removed, I checked the valve lifters. Most of them have some slack, couple of millimeters or so, side to side direction. Please see the attached video. I wonder if that's how they're supposed to be. A few of them though are rock solid, no slack at all. All of them are solid in up/down direction. Please give me some guidance. I do have ticking sound when the engine is cold.
2- The breather cover which is somehow glued to the main cover, also leaks but it doesn't come off. I tried prying, impact by mallet, hair dryer, acetone, WD-40, no luck; the glue/rtv is off white in color. The whole thing is so fragile I applied gentle force throughout. I wonder if I can use blow torch. Any suggestion please.
https://youtu.be/finEov9GBwg
YouTube @TheLongRanger55
The following users liked this post:
Joshinator99 (11-15-2023)