300sel 3.0 engine question
 

I am wondering if it is possible to run the 3.0 engine with valve cover off.... Dumb? I have a noise up in the top end ...has anyone done this? I am not talking extended time...I am aware of oil bath theory!

Thanks
Warren

So what is the noise?
A ticking sound from a hydraulic valve actuators?

that would be a good choice...but I am not sure....somebody said be careful...driving it, could break, but I just cannot pull the head at the moment.

103 engine oil
 

If it is a light ticking especially at start up then most likely it is a hydraulic valve lifter .
As recommended by many experts i switched my oil to Chevron Delo Diesel. This oil with its special zinc additives stopped the ticking in one trip and has not reoccurred . A worthwhile switch
mak
300se !26

you can run it but it's going to be messy when the oil runs on to the exhaust manifold. Is it a slapping noise, knocking noise or a tick?

1991 300 SE
 

I have that same start up ticking. It only lasts for 2 seconds and it is year round. I tried many different filters, different oil, zinc additive in diesel oil. It is there most of the start ups only. But sometimes not. I just live with it. Car has 103,000 miles and is babied and it looks it and acts it. Could this be a chain slapping although it sounds like a lifter. It is only there at cold start up and 90% of time. Help.

I cannot tell if it is a ticking or a knock....knock sounds real serious! not that serious I feel...it runs great! just sounds like a diesel!!

IIRC in the owners manual it says that "ticking before oil pressure raises is normal". The reason you have ticking on start up is because it takes 2 seconds for the oil pressure to rise.

the rocker assemblies are steel bolts screwed into aluminum threads.the question is not IF the threads will break but WHEN.i have fixed many of these heads by helicoiling.good idea to check all the bolts holding rocker assemblies while valve cover off.as long as noise goes away after a short time it is lifters but if sustained check those bolts.

the noise is steady does not go away...when you come to a stop...it is there. of course running at increased rpm it goes away...going to check the rocker arms

Thanks for all the help...

Warren, another possibility is a faulty timing chain tensioner.

how would I know that? is there a way to check it???
Thanks

pics of top without cover
 

hope this works...what is all this crap on the lifters? How much play should the lifter arms have? the ones that ride on the cam. What torque should the bolts be set at? Is there a special tool that torques the head bolts? What size? Looks like a star

Thanks
Warren

I cleaned up all the sludge on the rockers and surrounding area, Removed the oil rail and the one inside the valve cover...cleaned completely...oiled rockers... checked the rocker bolts,put back together and the noise is gone! Go figure