Hello, I have a 00 ML320 with 64k with maintenance up to date. Ive noticed recently after the initial crank it sounds like the valvetrain (lifters/rockers) ticking/knocking and then immediately goes away. I didnt know if this was part of the common lifter problem or just from oil not being in the heads on crank up. Either way, just checking to see if any one else has experience this type of noise. Ive got an ext warranty so hopefully if it is a problem, itll get corrected.

THanks in advance,
Brian

Have you narrowed the noise down to the engine compartment? There is a notoriously bad fan in the fuse box that typically makes noise at startup. Mine was more of a buzzing noise though.

Seems to be a common problem. See http://mbca.cartama.net/showthread.php?t=7936

I've noticed my ML430 started this last spring.

The "lifter sound ie. knocking sound" does it always start up this way or only when you have not been running the ML for a while. Say you were just at the store do you have the knocking sound when you start up to go home? Or you have this shound when you have not been driving the ML for more than a week?

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