I read about this symptom in the 500E roll call thread - now it's happened to my beloved 500E! I switched to Mobil 1 2000 miles ago. I've just been commuting since, with occasional opportunities for high speed on the freeway (not more than double the limit), but no overheating, leaks, or oil discoloration. Yesterday I made one quick full-throttle launch from a stop-light, then got right back out of it. When I started it at lunch-time after that, the engine clattered at start-up, and the lifters were noisy for about a minute. The oil pressure gauge stayed pegged at 3 until the engine was fully warm (about five minutes). After that, it was mostly normal, the pressure dropped at idle, but there were a few times when the pressure would fall to an indicated 1.5, then suddenly drop to a normal 1.2 or so.

I had a pressure relief valve problem on a BMW 2002 long ago. I'm wondering if this is the same thing? Maybe the Mobil 1 dissolved some sludge that lodged in the valve? Is the oil circuit in the car designed so that the top end loses pressure if the relief valve dumps, even though the oil pressure gauge is topped out? Can I wait a week until I'm due for a regular service, or should I stop driving until I bring it in? That sudden drop in pressure after the car was warm looked like it might be a sender problem, but the clatter indicates that there's a pressure problem as well. Maybe I have two problems here?

__________________
Mark Stetson
1995 E320 Wagon Moonstone Grey/Parchment 106K mi.
2007 E63 AMG Graphite/designo 75K mi

My 1/2 second of clatter, which occurs only after the car has sat for an extended time (4-5 hours) began maybe 6 months ago. I'm at 87k mi, and have run Mobil 1 since I bought it at 43k mi. It's very brief, so doesn't soncern me too much. I'll send it in for a replacement of the oil check valve within the next few weeks and will advise of my results...I'd like to avoid the expense of doing a chain & rails just now!

__________________
"If God had meant for us to walk, why did he give us feet that fit car pedals?" Sir Sterling Moss

Michael
2014 E63S Estate
2006 SLK55
1995 E500
1986 Porsche 944 turbo

I might beat you to the garage. If so, I'll let you know how mine turns out. I found the recommended fixes on the shop forum; I'm relieved to hear that it's not uncommon. One wrinkle: mine is intermittent - some mornings there is no noise at all! Does that affect the diagnosis?

__________________
Mark Stetson
1995 E320 Wagon Moonstone Grey/Parchment 106K mi.
2007 E63 AMG Graphite/designo 75K mi

another possiblity may be a stretched timing chain. if you havent had it changed, you might want to have it checked. Also have the chain guys checked at the same time. if your chain jumps you could be in a pile of deep poo. just a possibility to not over look.

I saw a 190 in the shop yesterday with the timing chain broken. The valves hit the pistons and now requires major work. The job of rolling in a new chain is simple. This is the number one weakness of a M/B as far as I can tell. While the job is being done the shop can also check the condition of the camshaft oil galleries (plastic) which do get broken from the hammering of the oil pressure on start up. These, too, are cheap and easily replaced.

My father suffered the jumped chain on a 420 a few years ago. It happens.

i agree with you on that.

Thanks primarily to Dwight Hinton's advice on the same problem being chased on the "500E owner Roll Call" thread, my startup clatter has been fixed. My local dealer is Mercedes Benz of South Bay. Large as it is, they had no knowledge of the service bulletin that Dwight references. Nevertheless, they were inquisitive and responsive, and when I brought my car in, along with printed diagrams of the oil filter housing showing the check valve, the notes from Dwight regarding the check valve upgrade, and basically a diagnosis and solution path for them to follow, they got right on board.

Note the same dealer replaced the timing chain a few thousand miles before. They were unable to get a copy of the service bulletin (which they described as an internal document and were mildly surprised that I had the number for them). Nevertheless, when they pulled the oil filter housing, they found the old style check valve, and had the newer-style part in stock. Result: start-up clatter is GONE, and lifter noise when cold is GREATLY REDUCED. It cost me about 315 bucks.

Thank you all! I love this place!!!

__________________
Mark Stetson
1995 E320 Wagon Moonstone Grey/Parchment 106K mi.
2007 E63 AMG Graphite/designo 75K mi

I just pulled the oil filter housing this morning and installed the updated valve. It is clearly different than the one that was in there. It has a longer bore so that the valve cone rides in there smoother.

I'll report if my startup clatter has been resolved. I also changed the oil and filter and started up the engine...no clatter. I let it idle for 10 minutes or so while checking underneath for any leaks...none. I shut off the car and came back 25 minutes later and started it back up...no clatter. Hopefully problem solved.

For those interested, I DO have an extra pressure relief valve repair kit from MB (I ordered two by accident because I thought my first order didn't go through and I already paid for it).

If anyone is interested, please let me know. It's brand new in the bag. Part No: 119 184 01 30.

Regards,

Satish
(248) 737-4229

PS, the price for the part is $9.50 plus shipping (small so should be under $3.00 or so I would imagine for Priority Mail).

Satish

Guys,

I'm happy to report that there has been no startup clatter at all since I've installed the updated valve. I've since started the car at least 25 times over two days (at least) in all different timeframes and engine temps with not a hint of clatter.

Replace that valve!

Regards,

Satish
PS - this forum is great!! My dealer wanted to change the timing chain, rails, chain tensioner, valve cover gaskets, upper guide rails, etc. at the tune of $3000! What the hell? I fixed this problem for $20 and 1 hour's time.

I echo Satish in saying that if you have not already done so, replace that valve. The peace of mind and the benefits of having oil on those cams and lifters IMMEDIATELY is critically important to the sustained life of your engine. Its about a 2 hour job. At 168K I had a lot of "Gunk" to clean off my housing. I suggest you get a new set of bolts to do the install BEFORE you start. I severely damaged 2 of the hex bolts which hold the filter housing onto the block and ultimately wound up having to slip a 12pt 12mm socket over one to remove it. They were REALLY TIGHT!! It was only about a $75 job

__________________
Regards,

Albert
aldedmon@yahoo.com

An update on the oil pressure relief valve that I installed last October. Since the installation, I've NEVER NEVER EVER had the startup clatter recur from the cam advancers!!

Great forum!

Satish

Having had my dealer replace the oil filter check valve and the oil pump pressure relief valve as well, I still get occasional light start-up clatter. It seems to occur when it's filled with Mobil 1 0W40; I haven't heard it with Mobil 1 15W50. Satish, what oil are you using?

__________________
Mark Stetson
1995 E320 Wagon Moonstone Grey/Parchment 106K mi.
2007 E63 AMG Graphite/designo 75K mi

I'm using Mobil 1 15W-50 trisynthetic. Never heard the startup clatter in nearly 8,000 miles nor 5 months since.

Satish

Good news. I think for me it's Mobil 1 15W50 from here on out. Thanks for the info.

__________________
Mark Stetson
1995 E320 Wagon Moonstone Grey/Parchment 106K mi.
2007 E63 AMG Graphite/designo 75K mi