M104 sudden lifter(?) noise - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

bsettlefl · #1 03-19-2009, 12:24 AM

Literally overnight my 93 300E 2.8 started up with a slight stumble and louding tapping noise. Compression tests OK, stethoscope doesn't identify a real smoking gun, but 5 and 6 exhaust valves seem loud. Bottom end sounds OK. Is it normal for lifters to go out this suddenly or am I chasing the wrong thing?

Mike@Exclusive · #2 03-19-2009, 12:28 AM

The lifters or "Elements" usually don't go bad, could be alot of carbon built up or sticking valves.

deanyel · #3 03-19-2009, 12:49 AM

Does the noise go away in a minute or two?

bsettlefl · #4 03-19-2009, 08:36 AM

The first time I noticed it the sound went away after a minute or two. I've started it a few times since and it doesn't go away. I've let it run for as long as 10 minutes while troubleshooting, but probably not to the fully warmed up state.

gmercoleza · #5 09-19-2010, 10:10 PM

Bump, my M104 just started doing this after an oil change. I did change oil types but did not expect this to happen. I normally run generic oil, whatever is on sale. Nothing thinner than 10W40 but all the way on up to 20W50. This time I put in DELO 400 which is 15W40 (right in the middle). Car was "normal" for about 10 miles, then it sat about 2 hours. Upon restarting, there is 1 loud lifter; it's pretty pronounced. Drove about 10 miles home and it ticked all the way. Any ideas? I hate to drain the DELO and put generic 10W40 back in there, but I'd rather do that than damage something. That's a lot of $$$ down the drain.

gmercoleza · #6 09-19-2010, 10:11 PM

By the way, the M104 has about 185K on it. Ran silky smooth until this oil change. Last oil change had about 5K miles on it. And yes, I already checked the level. It is fine. For reference, I put 7.5 quarts in it during the oil change.

Ferdman · #7 09-20-2010, 07:21 AM

gmercoleza, original factory fill in the 104 engines was 15W40 mineral oil so the Delo 400 should be fine, although I thought Delo was for diesel engines.

FWIW, I run Mobil 1 15W50 in our 104 engines year-round with no problem, and have for the last 10 years. Change oil & filter every 7,500 miles per the Maintenance Booklet.

gmercoleza · #8 09-20-2010, 08:24 AM

I have run DELO in all my other Mercedes for the past 12 years. I just hadn't made the switch in the E320 yet. I prefer DELO for its superior detergent qualities and zinc additive lacking in conventional motor oil. I wonder if the detergent broke something loose which is now obstructing an oil passage? I think I will leave it in there for now and see where the ticking goes. One of my 380s ticked like that for 3 years and never got worse. It was just a little annoying.

gmercoleza · #9 09-21-2010, 08:35 PM

Well the ticking will go away for quite a while, then come back for a little bit, albeit faintly. It's irregular now, but mostly it doesn't occur and the engine is quiet. I think I'm experiencing the effects of a gentle cleaning. Well if I wasn't sure there was a significant difference between oils before, I sure am now!

Rahulio1989300E · #10 09-21-2010, 08:42 PM

I think I will try a run of Delo 400 for my next oil change, right now I am running Mobil 1 0W-40 Euro Formula, but fear the lack of a large zinc additive could be causing extra wear on my M103.

sptt · #11 09-21-2010, 11:55 PM

....have a '91 300E that does that all the time near the back towards the firewall. I have no idea why. It's a "tick, tick" sound that comes and goes. I have 186K on the engine.

Steve

gmercoleza · #12 10-14-2010, 11:22 AM

Well I drained all the DELO after just a few miles and filled with standard 10W40. You guessed it, no change. I then pulled the oil filter and found it was the culprit. It had come unseated from the housing and went in crooked. There was a dent in it from where it was crammed up against the check valve. I reseated it properly and now the engine is silent again.

I am really upset that I dumped $40 of perfectly good DELO for nothing, but a lesson was learned. NEVER go with cheap STP oil filters from AutoZoo. I normally order my filters from this site, or get them from the dealer, and keep a spare in the trunk, but I ran out and needed one NOW. Next time I'll just wait or drive to the dealer.

oldsinner111 · #13 10-09-2016, 04:34 PM

guy today same problem

E_S · #14 10-10-2016, 03:37 AM

Filled and "prescribed" for all pre-ASSYST gasoline and diesel engines here in Europe is fully synthetic 0W-40, 5W-40 or 5W-40 with the correct MB approval. Practically "nobody" uses mineral oil on any engine anymore.

oldsinner111 · #15 10-10-2016, 06:56 AM

I think work man pay is higher over there.I've run 15w40 for years when temps are mild.And only syntheic during winter. It a market gimic to covince people to spend more money on these new oils.No one with any brains would let oil stay in a engine 10,000 miles.