Z8 Dave

On the way home a week or so ago a message came on the display that showed the "airmatic" symbol with the word malfunction underneath of it. I took it to the dealer this week and they said that this has happened to a number of ML's(350/550/63). While I was there I told them that I was hearing a slight ticking sound that didn't go away after the car warmed up, (unlike my Z8 which does away after the engine has warmed). I stopped by the dealers today to check on the car and the entire top end of the engine is ripped off! They are replacing all four camshafts(intake and exhaust) to fix the problem! The mechanic told me that he thinks it was the spindle on the end of one of the exhaust camshafts but Mercedes told him to fully replace all 4! Hopefully this fixes the problem. Make sure that you listen to your engine real well as this is not a pronounced sound.
-dave

FlymanPS

I have same sounds like a bearing is broken, but it then go down after engine is warmed.

Blk04cobra1

Ive been told by our mechanics that the 63 engine will tick slightly until warm...not a knocking sound, but a slight tick...sorry to hear about your troubles, but looks like MB warranty will take care of you

Sunny55

wow...that sounds crazy....hope they g et that resolved.

But what happened to your air suspension? Didn't you take your car in because of the air suspension light coming on?

Z8 Dave

Yes, They replaced the pump and motor for the AirMatic system. Apparently this is a problem on a number of ML's and GL's. My buddy has a GL and he had the same problem. I still haven't got my car back(it's a week today), so I am not sure what all is being done to it. When I spoke with the mechanic on Friday he was replacing all four camshafts. I'll post what the final verdict was when I pick my car up, hopefully later today or tomorrow.

nantucketsleigh

The airmatic compressor seized on my GL at 2000 miles damaging some relays and wiring. Dealer said it was such a common defect on many airmatic vehicles that they keep replacement parts in stock. My repairs were completed in one day.

Len73

i had an accident and got broadside on the left side of my 2007 ml 63 and after driving home and parking. i notice my car is not being lowered when am in park and locked , so i went back inside and start her up and its still not rising up or down so i press the button to raise the car and the car started to rise and i hear this clanking sound and it raise up and i press the button to lower it and it makes that clanking sound again. so now its at the collision repair centre and they are telling me that the car is fix and i told them no its not. i told them that whenever my car is locked and park it lower it self over the wheels and its not doing that. I also remind them that when it started it should rise up to the standard level and its not. because of the accident they had to replace the spindle and wheel bearing and either fix or replace the water pump.so after reading the post of @z8dave and others i think they need to replace pump and motor for Airmatic compressor.