Hey all,
I'm looking at getting back into the AMG world and drove this car yesterday. It's a 2007 previously CPO, now with about 130k on the clock.

Based on my research, it sounds like it may be the cam adjusters, but the sound was constant. It never quieted down. The sound was most pronounced as I put my ear right near the top of the intake. I couldn't differentiate if it was coming from one side or the other.

I'm not extremely afraid of doing work on this car and I have the resources to likely do it well and on the cheaper side with an excellent mechanic.

I know this video sounds BAD, but any specific thoughts or comments are extremely welcome.

I did my research and know all about the serial numbers on the engines that needed new cams and cam adjusters.... that very well may be the issue here. If that's the case, I'd be looking at about $6k in work if I were to go to the dealership I believe.

Here is the link to the 10 second video I loaded up. Take a listen please!


Thanks!

 

sounds like bad lifters

 

And quite possible the cams are chewed up. Looks like you would need to budget for full top end. Head bolts/gaskets, cams, lifters, maybe adjusters if needed.

 

If it's MB CPO, take advantage of the 1yr unlimited miles warranty..

 

This. The M156 is known for having this issue, from what I understand it's some type of oil starvation problem where the lifters are not properly actuated and you end up scoring the cams. I would stay away.

 

my engine once made noise similar but MUCH louder...after driving for 2 minutes it went away...but at idle it wouldn't go away...never came back. supposedly the lifters in our engines are crap.

i couldn't advise in this situation to be honest. maybe ask that the car be inspected valve covers off at your local Mercedes?

 

+1. If the center of the lifter is caving in, the cam or cams are also shot. The more the engine is run in this condition the worse the damage will get. I have seen one ignored and the motor locked up due to one cam actually freezing in the head. Lots of metal spread throughout. Catch it early and you can fix it. The cam adjusters(gears) typically make a noise on startup and then goes away in a few seconds.

So I guess it depends on what kind of deal you are getting.

 

what is this car selling for ? If it has some cam wear, that's a pretty pricey fix