Omar140

Hello guys!
I have 98 SL500 140k miles. So I swapped out the Camshaft Adjusters the spare ones I had because the ones on the car were leaking a bit! and I was on a road trip 150 miles away 40 miles from the destination CEL came on and it'd flash If i went over 60MPH. I kept it under 60 and got to my destination and drove back! Car was consuming a lot of fuel! Right at 30 mile away from home car started making this strange noise which you'll see in the video! got home next day swapped the cam adjusters cleared the codes with my Star C3, popped the valve cover and one of the cam oilers was popped so i swapped that inspected the cam no signs of excessive wear marks or anything! and the noise is still there and car lacks power! ALSO last oil change I used Pennzoil 5w30 full synthetic! do you guys think noise is from timing chain because it is lose? I did remove the serpentine belt and noise is still there! Could it be bad timing chain tensioner? Any help would be great Thanks!

You Tube

mahunt

I changed out my variable cam timing adjusters on my V12 about 7 years ago due to oil seepage, but I didn't experience any issues.

You are talking about the round magnetic cam solenoids at the front of the engine that have a 2 prong electrical connector, right?

What were the codes you cleared?

That is an awful noise and I wouldn't start the engine again until the cause is found.

When you had the valve cover off, did the cam timing chain seem slack? It should always be taut in the valve cover.

I would drain the oil and look for glitter. The glitter will be very fine and sparkle when light is shined through it.

Omar140

Yep the round magnetic cam solenoids thats what I changed! But I think its my crank pulley! take a look!

You Tube

Omar140

codes were for the timing solenoid drivers side I believe! timing chain was tight no slack! Yea I think I am going to switch the 5w30 full synthetic to 10w40 conventional and see if that does anything!

mahunt

The pulley looks fine in the video (no wobble), it would only make noise if it was loose (shake it by hand with the engine off to check).

I like how you removed the serpentine belt to eliminate potential accessory noises.

What all did you do to the engine?

If you backed the engine up (socket on crank pulley nut) and rotated the engine backward (BIG no, no), the internal timing chain adjusters extend and cause damage. If the chain slips too much, the valves will contact the pistons.

For that kind of noise, I'd drain the oil and drop the pan to take a look. Hopefully, you won't find timing chain adjuster debris.

Omar140

Oh I also used seafoam in the crank case before the last oil change! because it that lifter ticking noise! ran it for about 20 mins and drained it, Used the recommended amount too! NO didn't manually spun the engine once so far, Which I will be soon to double check the timing! I think I am going to remove the crank pulley and hoping that'll eliminate the noise if it doesn't my guess is main bearings are shot!

Omar140

Timing is off by a mile! its no where near! bad Camshaft Adjusters solenoids caused the timing to jump I think! wonder if I could re time the engine without having to completely tear it apart!

Kebowers47

the noise IS NOT FROM CRANK PULLEY it is much too loud and broad band to be the crank pulley and no vibration is visible---look carefully at the ribbed belt pulley--the farthest out which would wobble the most.


Something inside the engine let loose. It might be failed chain guide or chain tensioner or water pump or idler pulley (or alternator) . Good luck

mahunt

Drop the pan.

mahunt

I've been reading that putting Seafoam in the crankcase of an engine with sludge buildup can send the sludge straight to the pan and clog the oil pump pickup.

Drop the pan and check the oil pump pickup.

Your engine sounds like its running with dry bearings from a plugged up oil pump screen or internal passages.

Word to the wise.