I have a 1991 190E 2.6 with 214,000. Whenever I start is up in the morning, it taps for a few seconds until the oil pressure goes from 0 to the top peg. (about 3 seconds) . This is a new occurrence lately. The oil filter has been changed along with the oil (Castrol 20 w 50). Is this the oil pump, lifters or timing chain? Any insight would be greatly appreciated.

I had the same thing happening on my '89 190E 2.6. I noticed it in the spring and thought it might be valve train noise. A few months later my timing chain broke. It may have been the chain. I'll never know. But, I just finished putting in new main and rod journals tonight and I get to pick up my cylinder head from the machine shop tomorrow (today?).

If your chain has not been replaced, do it now. My car had 220k. Not far from yours.

__________________
Michael LaFleur

'05 E320 CDI - 86,000 miles
'86 300SDL - 360,000 miles
'85 300SD - 150,000 miles (sold)
'89 190D - 120,000 miles (sold)
'85 300SD - 317,000 miles (sold)
'98 ML320 - 270,000 miles (sold)
'75 300D - 170,000 miles (sold)
'83 Harley Davidson FLTC (Broken again) :-(
'61 Plymouth Valiant - 60k mikes
2004 Papillon (Oliver)
2005 Tzitzu (Griffon)
2009 Welsh Corgi (Buba)

I believe that is most commonly the lifters. Try a lighter weight oil to see if that helps (10w 40 for example), that is what I was told to do when I thought I had that problem.
Also could be the timing chain...
Do a search on TIMING CHAIN and you'll come up with quite a bit.
If yours has never been changed, I recommend you do it soon!!!

__________________
2006 E350 w/ 155k miles (Daily Driver)

Previous:
1993 300E 3.2L Sedan w/ close to about 300k miles
2003 E500 Brilliant Silver (Had 217k miles when totalled!)
1989 300E with 289,000 miles (had for <1 yr while in HI)
03 CLK 500 cabrio (Mom's)
2006 C230k (Dad's)
1999 S420 (Mom's/Dad's)
2000 C230k Sport sedans
2001 CLK320 Cabrio (Mom's)
1995 C280 My First Mercedes-Benz... (155k miles. EXCEPTIONAL AUTOMOBILE. Was Very hard to let go of!)

Lighter oil will definitely help.

I had been using 10W-40 for many years and until recently switched to synthetic 5W-30.

With 10W-40, I always heard that noise before oil pressure was up after a cold start. Now with 5W-30 synthetic, the noise is gone.

I have always been afraid of the thin 5W-30 oil but I am now sold on this thin oil, only with synthetic, though.

Bo

What brand of oil filter are you using?

Sixto
91 300SE
81 300SD

I have used the following three brands of oil filters:

Knecht, Mann, and Mahler.

Bo

I meant the respondent with the engine noise

It amazes me that the Griot's catalog will display their tools with an exotic in the backdrop and a Fram filter.

Is it possible to check chain tension when the engine's not running? If you pull the valve cover and tug on the chain, how much slack should there be?

Is it possible to check if the tensioner is at full extension?

Sixto
91 300SE
81 300SD

I've been using Fram lately. What is involved in replacing the timing chain? I do a lot of work on my other cars myself, but don't know if I want to attempt this. How difficult is it, how much time will it require and finally, what would a mechanic charge for it? Thanks for the replies.

Buy a filter from FastLane or the dealer and replace the Fram. I'll pay for a new Fram filter if that doesn't fix the problem.

Sixto
91 300SE
81 300SD
... I sure hope Fram filters for MBs aren't expensive