Guys,


Just picked up this 2008 E63, it's been great so far and seems like it was well cared for but I hear some unfamiliar noises and smell some familiar smells that need some clarification.


I'm hearing a quiet "tocking" sound from the top side of the engine that seems to correspond to one cylinder. It's not a rod knock but more of what I imagine a weak lifter might sound like. I'm also hearing a slight "woofing" from the exhaust that is timed perfectly with the noise in the valve train.


I've searched extensively and it seems like valve train noise is somewhat common with these engines but there's no clear answer if there's a solution or just "run it". I'd personally rather it not make any weird noises.


Secondly, I'm getting a whiff of burning oil when I stop the car and get out. I suspect a problem as basic and old as valve covers leaking on the exhaust manifold. Is this a common leak location for these engines?


I'm also seeing oil puddling in the lower cover under the front of the engine. The puddle can be seen by looking straight down the front of the engine from the top, between the engine and the radiator.


Thoughts?


Thanks!

__________________
-Evan


Benz Fleet:
1968 UNIMOG 404.114
1998 E300
2008 E63


Non-Benz Fleet:
1992 Aerostar
1993 MR2
2000 F250

Long time no see, congrats on the new car!

__________________
TC
Current stable:
- 2004 Mazda RALLYWANKEL
- 2007 Saturn sky redline
- 2004 Explorer...under surgery.

Past: 135i, GTI, 300E, 300SD, 300SD, Stealth

Hey TC, I see you on FB from time to time...

__________________
-Evan


Benz Fleet:
1968 UNIMOG 404.114
1998 E300
2008 E63


Non-Benz Fleet:
1992 Aerostar
1993 MR2
2000 F250

Nice. I would suspect leaking valve cover gaskets. Don't know enough about these engines to know about noise. How does it run/sound during WOT?

__________________
Jim

Have a look at missfire counts, you might be having an arcing coil / boot.

If you do see a cyl with higher than average missfire counts, move that coil / boot to another cylinder and see if the problem follows.

Past that I'd vote for a collapsing valve lifter / lash adjuster, a tight valve guide or even a broken valve spring.

Someone on this site used an audio recorder with a mic on on channel and a cylinder pulse on the other. ( Or did something similar ) They then put this through audio edit SW and located the point in time when the noise occurred. At that point they figured out what was moving to zero in on the noise.

You should pull the valve cover and have a look. Those engines put lobes though lifters occasionally. There's an updated carbide faced lifter... if you catch it soon enough.

__________________

90 300TE 4-M
Turbo 103, T3/T04E 50 trim
T04B cover .60 AR
Stage 3 turbine .63 AR
A2W I/C, 40 LB/HR
MS2E, 60-2 Direct Coil Control
3" Exh, AEM W/B O2
Underdrive Alt. and P/S Pulleys,
Vented Rear Discs, .034 Booster.
3.07 diffs 1st Gear Start

90 300CE 104.980
Milled & ported head, 10.3:1 compression
197° intake cam w/20° advancer
Tuned CIS ECU
4° ignition advance
PCS TCM2000, built 722.6
600W networked suction fan
Sportline sway bars
V8 rear subframe, Quaife ATB 3.06 diff

Thank you all for the great suggestions! I'm planning on pulling the rocker covers and replacing the gasket/o-rings anyway as well as verify if this engine has the updated head bolts.

The engine runs well and pulls hard but I'm not exactly used to 514 HP so even if it pulled with 450 HP it would still feel crazy.

__________________
-Evan


Benz Fleet:
1968 UNIMOG 404.114
1998 E300
2008 E63


Non-Benz Fleet:
1992 Aerostar
1993 MR2
2000 F250

X2........

LOL

I had a young lady and her hubby bring an SL600 (twin turbo v12) in with the complaint that it was "low on power". We go out for test drive with me driving and once out on the road she said to floor it. She said see what I mean. I asked her how she could tell and she said when the power was where it was supposed to be it would "spread her boobs apart on acceleration". I tried again while observing and could not tell one way or the other but I did almost take out a signpost. Anyway, it was the first time I've ever heard it described that way. I never did get to see exactly what she was talking about but I did find/replace a bad intercooler coolant pump.

__________________
Jim

What about the emissions controls on it. What're the miles on it? Wonder if it's your transmission.

I would expect some mighty pull from the 600, but I've never driven one or looked up the specs on one.