Ticking Hydraulic Lifter(s) - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

mikep · #1 08-19-2006, 11:31 AM

My '95 S500C 5.0 V8 just had the oil tubes replaced. After about
2,000 miles a ticking noise returned, it occurs just for a few minutes
at cold start up, them disappears as the engine warms up and the oil circulates.
When I was away I left the car sit for three weeks, when I started it up, the engine ran rough for a few minutes while it made the ticking noise, then it ran smooth and the noise stopped. I run it in a regular basis now, the ticking noise is still there at cold start up, but the roughness has had not re-occurred.

The dealer told me it is the Hydraulic lifters, and they need to be replaced.
The car has had regular oil changes and has about 90,000 miles
on it. I use Quaker State 5W50 synthetic, is it worth trying a different weight such as 10W50 or brand.
as I am due for an oil change.

Do you think it might be worth trying an engine flush first, before I have the work done?
Wynns has one that is suppost to free hydraulic lifters?

Also to replace the lifters does the timing chain & tensoner need to be
removed.

Thanks in advance for your replies.

mike

ctaylor738 · #2 08-19-2006, 02:32 PM

A friend of mine got rid of a ticker in his 560SEL by adding a quart of Risalone, and running it for several hundred miles before an oil change.

I did the same with my 560SL, and switched to Castrol "part synthetic" at the oil change. Most of the noise went away.

If you are only getting noise at start-up, I wouldn't worry about it. Given that you have taken good care of the engine and used synthetic, I doubt if something like Risalone would help. You probably have a follower, not a stuck one.

Can't help you with your other question as I have not messed with an M119.

t walgamuth · #3 08-19-2006, 04:46 PM

on my 84 500sec with 135k on it, it will tick in the hydraulic valve adjusters with 15w40 rotella til the car has 1500 on the oil change. with 10w30 mobil one it never ticks.

maybe you should try some 10w30 mobil one.

tom w

JamesDean · #4 08-19-2006, 04:55 PM

question...wouldnt the tick mean that the lifter isnt operating properly? and consequently not adjusting the vlv properly...?

Snibble · #5 08-19-2006, 09:15 PM

My 1990 560SEL with 68k miles has ticking sounds coming from the driver side rear. It occurs when I hit the accelerator and goes away once I gently take my foot off of it. I run Mobil1 15w50 synthetic. I've recently filled the gas tank full with premium along with a bottle of techchron/chevron. After all this, there's still the ticking sound coming. At idle, there's no ticking, it only occurs when revved and I can control the sound as mentioned... but taking my foot off the accelerator. When I give it a nice push on the accelerator, it starts ticking again.

From my description, is this consistant with hydraulic lifters?

If no, what could cause the ticking sound?

If yes, is this a simple fix? What is involved in replacing hydraulic lifters and what tools(special or not) are needed to do the job? If the valve cover is removed, is it required to replace the valve cover gasket with a new one?

TIA

t walgamuth · #6 08-19-2006, 10:18 PM

they are not true hydraulic lifters as in a us pushrod engine. they are hydraulic adjusters. my car would tick on startup and eventually stop when it was very warm. they tick in that instance because when shut off the oil drains out of it and then it is also stuck and doesnt fill up right away when the engine is restarted.

ticking when under acceleration only sounds like pinging. are you familiar with pinging? sorry if you are way advanced beyond this.

for the first poster i suggest trying the thinner oil as i did.

tom w

Schmohey · #7 08-19-2006, 10:31 PM

During winter when it is less than 30 - 40 degrees, is it normal for it to tick at startup?

Snibble · #8 08-19-2006, 10:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by t walgamuth

ticking when under acceleration only sounds like pinging. are you familiar with pinging? sorry if you are way advanced beyond this.

tom w

Hi Tom...no I don't know what "pinging" is although I heard that term before. Can you explain what it is and how I can tackle this problem?

TIA

mikep · #9 08-20-2006, 11:15 AM

I think I will try the Mobile 10W30. I am not sure if I should use the Wynns
internal engine cleaner before changing the oil, I know MB does not recommend any oil additives I am aware of. The ticking sound is only evident at cold start up. If the engine is warm or partially warm on start up there is no noise. Maybe a few oil changes and/or different oil may resolve the problem.

Thanks,

Mike

Snibble · #10 08-20-2006, 12:09 PM

Seems after doing a search on "pinging" it refferes to what the engine does when it doesn't get the proper octane gasoline. I run 91 or 93 octane at all times and the last tank had 91 with techron/chevron additive added. It still ticks.

Running a search on my problem yields threads that describe problems like mine... but NONE have answers or follow-ups from the person posting.

Ferdman · #11 08-20-2006, 12:21 PM

Mike, I suggest using Mobil 1 15W50 instead of 10W30. The higher viscosity number should be at least 40, and Mobil 1 doesn't sell a 15W40. Realize that the "factory fill" in the newer engines is Mobil 1 0W40.

JamesDean · #12 08-20-2006, 12:24 PM

When I used 15w40 in my m103 190 the ticking went away for a little while. It came back later then I added a little more Chevron 15w40 Delo and it went away for quite some time. It would come back and go away...so i finally said I have had enough and just had the lifters replaced.

DanielW · #13 08-20-2006, 02:40 PM

Using the MB Recommended Mobil 1 0W-40, I have never had any hints of any ticks. (101K now) Some cars seem to have a lot of trouble with clicks at idle.

Also it is my opinion that the 0W lower viscosity may help in the cold starts as well as possibly keeping oil pressure from rising too much on a cold start. This is most likely what blows out those "plastic" oil transfer tubes. Never race up a cold engine on start up, especially when temp outside is really cold.

It would be important to be able to identify source of your noise. IF it is from a chain guide wear or guide break it would be heard as an irregular sound perhaps not tightly connected to RPM.
If it is only a lifter, and not as much to worry about, it should be heard as a very regular single ticking sound that follows RPM as you vary the speed up a little or down a little. Might go away completely at a fast idle -1500 and up.

I have heard it said that cars whose oil has not been changed on a regular basis are more prone to lifter ticks.

I once drove a 400SE, (same 119 engine), that ticked very loud at idle. I declined to buy it --- but a friend of mine DID purchase it. He changed the oil right away upon purchase, the ticks reduced but could still be heard. He changed again in under a 1000 miles because the oil darkened quickly, and all traces of ticking went away. Mobil 0W-40 is what he used. Always change oil with engine hot.

Get a tech who you trust to identify if it could be chain slap sounds. If it is you must repair right away !!

Luck to you
DanielW

DanielW · #14 08-20-2006, 02:51 PM

When you change oil, check for any signs of particles of plastic or nylon type pieces. These could be broken chain guide parts that have fallen into the crankcase. Look carefully in your oil filter canister also. This might tip you off to guide breakages, which must be repaired before you have a major lock up when chain jumps teeth because of slack.

kidMoBile · #15 08-21-2006, 09:38 AM

FYI:
Mobil does sell 15W40 synthetic oil; It's called Delvac 1 because it is the synthetic version of their diesel engine oil.
Brian