Tick Tick Tick 560-SEL 1986 - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

Jason Lap · #1 11-08-2005, 02:59 PM

Tick Tick Tick 560-SEL 1986 I went on vacation for 3 weeks,and when I fired it up,I can hear a ticking comming from the motor.When I race the engine the ticking does not get any louder,

I always kept the oil changes ever 2,000 miles and took the best care.It has 118,000 miles and it will be in for a new timming belt.

Has anyone out there ever have something that sounded like a lifter ?

Thanks Jason
nikonls8000@comcast.net

MikeTangas · #2 11-08-2005, 07:02 PM

I had a couple flat cam lobes at about 200K that made a real loud ticking sound.

If your mechanic says you need a new timing BELT, find a new mechanic. Definitely need new upper rails given the age and mileage, might possibly need a new timing chain...chain stretch needs to be checked.

donbryce · #3 11-08-2005, 09:43 PM

So, you are saying that it didn't tick before you went away, but 3 weeks of sitting idle later, it now does? Could be a lifter isn't getting pumped up with enough oil, for several reasons. I'd try a good oil additive (recommendation depends on where you live), change the oil after it has done its work, and it may clear up by itself.

#4 11-09-2005, 10:13 AM

Both previous posters are correct. Adding to Don's recommendation, however, what I would do is change oil and filter putting in Chevron Delo Multigrade 15W40. This is an oil developed for diesel service but with all the latest gas engine certifications as well. It has a dramatic amount of detergents in its blend but has a very strong base stock.

This approach is extremely safe because you are using a proven blend rather than an additive that may or may not be a good balance for your existing oil.

After running the Delo about 500 or 1000 miles, drain it while the engine is HOT! This will get the gunk out with the oil. If it is still ticking do this again. If you drive the car on short hops, you need to take a few trips at least 30 miles or so at speed to bring the oil to operating temperature to help loosen any contaminants and draw them into the oil so that they will come out with the oil when drained.

Good luck,

autozen · #5 11-09-2005, 10:39 AM

Mike would be right if you had a 4.5, because the right front cam lobes always went South on the original cam, but that isn't the case with the 5.6 engine. Doing the oil changes like have been suggested might solve the problem. It's worth a try but if not, you are looking at a failed lifter. Easy job on an MB. You don't need to pull the intake like on Detroit POSs.

benzboy87 · #6 11-09-2005, 10:47 AM

Larry, I have been using Mobil 1 15w-50 in my '90 420SEL with 160,000 miles - I was using Mobil 1 10w-30 after I bought the car because I didn't like the Valvoline product they used in the car previosly. I now know that it was not a recommended oil (but didn't know it at the time). I have a little tick which has decreased since changing oil - but is loud sometimes on startup when it is cold. My question is this - can I use the Chevron Delo 15w-40 to see if that will clear up "the tick"? Will switching back to dino oil cause problems? The engine runs great on synthetic and I have no leaks but it is not as quiet as it once was.
I know this has been discussed before but I really respect and trust your advice.
Sorry to hijack the thread.

Alseim · #7 11-09-2005, 12:18 PM

I had a similar issue in the past on my 91 560 SEL. I found out that it was a exhaust gasket leak.

MikeTangas · #8 11-09-2005, 05:04 PM

autozen,

Right at 200K miles I had to replace both cams on the 560 due to flat lobes. Cylinders #2 and #8 had one flat lobe each. Once the hardening on the lobe surface wears through the lobes quickly degrade, but you already know that. At his low mileage it isn't the first cause one would look for but is still a possible candidate.

autozen · #9 11-09-2005, 09:29 PM

Mike,
That has to be an anomoly. I have never seen a cam failure on a 5.6 engine. I hope some other MB professionals can chime in here. I did replace a bent cam on a 560SEC once.

MikeTangas · #10 11-09-2005, 10:08 PM

Steve Brotherton listed some cam numbers a couple years back, I believe limited to the 86 year models. Seems there was a higher than normal failure of these cams where the hardened lobe surfaces wore through quickly. I think I have the numbers on my computer in CA...no access to it for a couple months though. Should still be in the archives though.

#11 11-11-2005, 01:31 AM

If a previous owner neglects oil changes the plastic cam oiler tubes get clogged up and then the cam face suffers.

Once the hardening wears through it's all over, usually wears the rocker as well though.

Matt.