UPDATE - Engine Tapping

[George Wilden]

Pulled my valve covers off and found out that my camshafts are just fine and not worn out. My rocker arms also looked fine. What a relief !!! Replaced the camshaft plastic oilers that were cracked and all is well now. Thank God !!! But the tapping noise coming from the top end of the #5 or #6 cylinder is still making noise at all times when the engine is operating. I will go ahead and have those lifters replaced and hope that it will solve the problem. Has anyone replaced lifters in a 420 SEL before have any comments or suggestions ? Is a valve spring compressor necessary ?

[JohninFla]

You DO need a special tool for removing the rocker arm to replace the lifter, (hydraulic compensator). How did you inspect the rocker arms without removing them? The wear takes place under the cam lobe, where it interacts with the rocker arm. The oiling problem you just solved may have left you with worn rocker arms. You may wish to invest in this tool, and remove the rocker arms where they are tapping. Look for a wear pattern on the arm, matching the cam lobe. Replacing the rocker arms eliminated the tapping on my 560SEL, without replacing the cam, (risking pulled head bolt threads). Of course, Mercedes says to replace the cam with the rocker arms. Good luck!