Hi all,

Noticed a strange noise this morning after driving for about 50 miles on my 94 S500 (didn't have it last night). The best way to describe it is it sounds like a diesel engine, more pronounced on the left side (ticking and tapping). I know its scarce, but what can I be looking at? The oil pressure is fine (3 while moving and 1 at idle), the power is fine (or looks that way). What can I be looking at here, potentially?

How many miles on the engine? What type of oil are you using, and how many miles since it was changed?

Might do a search on "oil tubes" as there is a good deal of info on a common problem on the M119 engine you and I have. There are tubes which direct oil to the valve train, and if the end plugs come out, new ticking noises will be heard. It's an easy fix.

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Steve
'93 400E

110K miles. Mobil1 synthetic 5w30 oil, last changed 4k miles ago. I was thinking about the tubes myself, but the noise seems a bit too loud for me.

Check out my page, Menu#19. If it's the 'tubes', it an easy fix although it does take some time. But the 'dieseling' noise is not a symptom of open tubes; not sure what it might be. But ticking and tapping surely is!

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Regards . . . . JimF
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'94 S500 Cpe

Visit my Mercedes Web Page

Although I can't say for sure it's related, I do know that MB has NOT approved Mobil 1 5w-30 for use in its engines. It's possible that it has gotten diluted over the last 4k miles and that's why the noise.

If it were me, I'd start by switching to Mobil 1 15w-50 or 0w-40, both approved viscosities, and see what happens.

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Steve
'93 400E

If your oil pressure is at 1 at idle, then you most likely have a popped tube. I just finished replacing mine on the S500. The torque on the cam caps is 89 inch pounds. Also, if you replace the top slide rails, make sure that you order all 3 pieces. Torque for the slide rails is 80 inch pounds. Valve cover torque is also 80i.p..

Cheers,
Steve

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97 S500 Coupe 139Kmi.
92 300CE 150Kmi. Sold
89 F250 Diesel 220Kmi. Dead
98 GMC 1500 160K.

Thank you all for response, Jim and Steve especially, going to take off the valve covers this weekend and look at the oil tubes. Will report back.

Arthur,
This sounds like a harmonic balancer issue. Do a search and you will find allot of info. Should be covered under warranty, take care ASAP because if this is the case you can have a severely damaged engine in a hurry.

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88 300E
02 911TT
17 VW Golf R
2008 Triumph Speed Triple

My pics --> www.BrettAdamsDesign.us

. . my suggestion in the third post? Was that chopped liver?

__________________
Regards . . . . JimF
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'94 S500 Cpe

Visit my Mercedes Web Page

Jim, it was your post that gave me the understanding, I just waited for this weekend to start the job. Your site and your expertise are the "rosetta stone" of the W140 realm, I apologize if my failure to mention your post seemed disrespectful.

PS. Looking now I did thank you in my post on 12-29.

senior moment! Glad you tackled the project and fixed the 'tick'!

__________________
Regards . . . . JimF
-------------------
'94 S500 Cpe

Visit my Mercedes Web Page