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  #1  
Old 07-29-2003, 11:34 AM
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C230K Grinding Noise at Start, Only after sitting for a week

Has anyone had a problem with the 2.3 l kompressor engine where a second or so after starting the car there is a "grinding" noise for 1 or 2 seconds? The noise is loud enough to be heard over the engine. I've had this sound twice in the past month, both times after the car sat for 4-5 days. The sound does not appear if the car is started after sitting for a day or even two. Ideas?

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  #2  
Old 07-29-2003, 07:41 PM
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Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: east coast
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If I had to guess, sounds like lubricating fluid is draining (from somewhere?) completely from the long period of stagnation. Could be the fluid for the supercharger, and I don't know if this is common or not.

Does it happen when the HVAC air conditioning system is in the OFF position?
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  #3  
Old 07-30-2003, 10:29 AM
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I think the a/c has been off but I'm not positive.

Someone suggested that maybe it could be the starter trying to restart the engine. This would be consistent with the type of sound I'm hearing.

The starter is "automated" to the extent you turn the key and the electronics decide how long to crank the engine. Any idea how the sensors detect if the engine is started? Could the relevant sensor be impacted by the length of time it was sitting (or the temperature?).
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  #4  
Old 07-30-2003, 01:38 PM
JetForeman
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My wifes C230 kompressor makes a noise at startup similiar to the one you describe. It more so sounds like someone is turning the steering wheel and the tires are squeaking on the garage floor. Does that better describe what you hear or is yours a genuine grinding sound? By the way I have no idea what that sound is my wifes car makes after a cold start, but I do know it's done it from day one.
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  #5  
Old 07-30-2003, 04:34 PM
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Location: east coast
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The starter makes a very distinct noise when it binds with the flywheel - have you heard someone turn the ignition to start while the engine is running?

But that kind of binding is not the only trouble a starter can cause. And the fact that the car sits, and that the ignition. electricla system is envolved is not remote.
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  #6  
Old 08-04-2003, 11:27 PM
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yes this is a known issue for this engine. i beleive that it is the hydraulic cam chain tensioner "BLEEDING" down when it sits for awhile. this is a common isue with every 230k engine
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  #7  
Old 07-08-2005, 09:45 AM
SLK230
 
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: UK
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Smile

I have an SLK230 which has the same problem. Just booked it in at the dealer as it is still under waranty. I have been told that it could be the Cam Advance unit that is being starved of oil during startup. No real detriment to the engine, but will get worse with age. Best to fix. Parts cost aprox £80 labour ?? Will post another reply in a couple of weeks with the actual cause.
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  #8  
Old 07-08-2005, 05:04 PM
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Join Date: Apr 2000
Location: Location:Las Cruces NM. USA
Posts: 91
C230K Grinding Noise at Start, Only after sitting

I had experienced that same noise when the car would sit for a few days without being started. The wife complained about it so we took it in while still under warranty. The dealer repalced the Kompressor Clutch and waited for a few days to checke it then replaced the Kompressor. It still makes the noise when started after it sits for a few days, the longer it sits the louder the noise. It is no longer in warranty and I have learned to live with it. We still like the car, just wonder if it is going to self destruct some day.
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88 300E 250K Sold
2000 C230K Totaled @104K
2003 ML320 156K Sold
2009 E350 4Matic Sport 46K Sold
2011 ML350 60K Sold
2014 GLK350 46k
2012 GL450 55K
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  #9  
Old 07-14-2005, 04:44 PM
SLK230
 
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: UK
Posts: 2
Smile Noise Fixed

Hi Folks, Just had word from the shop today that the engine noise has been fixed.

Before I took it to the shop, I recorded the engine noise onto CD so the tech's could listen to it. Also I hoked up an engine vibration analyser and printed out a GOOD start and a BAD (after standing for 4 days) start vibration signatures.

I gave alll this stuff to the dealer who were very impressed.

They are 99.9% sure that the fault was caused by the Cam Belt Tensioner (too slack).

Hope this is helpfull to others with the same symptoms. If anyone would like a copy of the .wav file and waveforms please let me know(deonrowley@compuserve.com)

Best to get yours fixed under warenty too if you can as the labour costs may be high.
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  #10  
Old 09-02-2015, 12:48 PM
Kudan
 
Join Date: Sep 2015
Location: Seattle
Posts: 1
99 C230 (150K miles) cold start noise

My car just started making this sound as well. Only when cold and only lasts a couple of seconds (almost sounds like a heat shield vibrating but most certainly is coming from the area directly behind the cam adjuster magnet unit).

I've been told by my local wrench it is the Cam Adjuster Solenoid failing. I've disconnected the cam adjuster magnet and the noise stops (probably because the magnets actuate the solenoid, right?).

I'm wondering if anyone else has had this noise, ONLY replaced the magnet unit and been able to solve the problem? (The magnet is <$50 versus the solenoid which is closer to $1,000). Seems like even if it doesn't work, it might be worth TRYING the $50 solution first anyway.

Thanks for the help
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  #11  
Old 09-02-2015, 07:16 PM
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The M104 inline 6 from ~ 93 to 98 and some V8 motors use the same / similar setup. Have a look online and you will see how it works. The electromagnet pulls a valve at the end of the cam timing adjuster allowing oil to flow ( or be blocked off I don't recall ) the the sprocket moves on a helix relative to the camshaft. A key point is a piston with a helix on the OD and OD.

The electromagnet is just a coil of wire like an AC clutch coil. If it fails it is just like being unplugged. if it gets weak the valve will only open part way when commanded and partially shift cam timing.

The "Cam Adjuster Solenoid" is somewhat a mix of terms and it sounds like they are trying to describe the cam adjuster mech.

I'm thinking the timing chain tensioner ( if oil fed like most are ) is failing and it takes a few seconds to build oil pressure and tension the chain. However I don't know these motors specifically having just gotten a 99 C230 Komp parts car.

There are a few ways to test. After the motor has cooled to room temp, start the engine and let run until the noise goes away then turn off. let sit a min or so then restart, does it still make noise? Maybe even try a few hours sitting. If no noise I'd lean towards the tensioner.

Another way would be to drive car , unplug the fuel pump or relay, let car stall. Let car sit for however it usually takes to get the noise. With fuel still disabled, crank the engine long enough to build oil pressure ( it might not show on the gauge while cranking. ) . en enable fuel then start the engine. If no noise I lean towards the chain tensioner.

For another area to test, try unplugging the Kompressor clutch. There is a drive disc inside the drive that fails causes noise. On these cars the Komp is operated on a cold start to provide exhaust reaction air. When you unplug the cam timing magnet, it could affect engine smoothness enough to get out of the drive disc vibration range. Have a look at Eaton M62 superchargers for what you have, try these sites for some drawings and info CAPA : Eaton Superchargers 3800 Supercharger

If you turn the face of the komp clutch, you can drive the lobes, rock it back and forth and feel for clunking beyond some gear backlash.

Noises and harmonics are sometimes difficult to find.
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  #12  
Old 09-03-2015, 07:40 PM
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Join Date: Apr 2000
Location: Location:Las Cruces NM. USA
Posts: 91
C230K Grinding Noise

I no longer have my C230 but the fix for the grinding noise was to replace the
Cam Chain Tensioner. Once that was replaced we no longer had the noise even after sitting for a week or more. Since the original started to make noise after about 40K miles I bought a spare to have when it started making the noise again. Unfortunately The car was totaled before I needed the spare part.
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88 300E 250K Sold
2000 C230K Totaled @104K
2003 ML320 156K Sold
2009 E350 4Matic Sport 46K Sold
2011 ML350 60K Sold
2014 GLK350 46k
2012 GL450 55K
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  #13  
Old 09-04-2015, 03:55 PM
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Here is my experience. My son's 2000 C230K has about 115m. After sitting for 3-5 days, the car would start with a tremendous death rattle. Engine would briefly sound like it was coming apart. Not just a whine or squeal or minor roughness, this was a scary metal grinding rattle. If the car was driven daily, it was fine. Besides the occasional rough start, car runs normal.

I first suspected the kompressor. Checked out fine. Then I changed the camshaft adjuster magnet. This is the hat shaped thingie at the front of the engine. No change. I then changed the timing chain tensioner. No help there either. Car still sometimes has that scary start when not driven for a few days.

So far these are the parts referred to above. Can anyone sort these out?

hydraulic cam chain tensioner
cam advance unit
cam belt tensioner
cam adjuster solenoid
cam adjuster mechanism
cam chain tensioner

Thanks
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  #14  
Old 09-04-2015, 07:17 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by glenmore View Post
Here is my experience. My son's 2000 C230K has about 115m. After sitting for 3-5 days, the car would start with a tremendous death rattle. Engine would briefly sound like it was coming apart. Not just a whine or squeal or minor roughness, this was a scary metal grinding rattle. If the car was driven daily, it was fine. Besides the occasional rough start, car runs normal.

I first suspected the kompressor. Checked out fine. Then I changed the camshaft adjuster magnet. This is the hat shaped thingie at the front of the engine. No change. I then changed the timing chain tensioner. No help there either. Car still sometimes has that scary start when not driven for a few days.

So far these are the parts referred to above. Can anyone sort these out?

hydraulic cam chain tensioner
cam advance unit
cam belt tensioner
cam adjuster solenoid
cam adjuster mechanism
cam chain tensioner

Thanks
My 2001 SLK230 has done this since new. If I drive it daily, it doesn't make the noise at cold start-up. If it sits for any length of time, it makes the noise at cold start-up. I've noticed over the years that it isn't as bad after an oil change. I only use Mobil1 0-w40.

My cam adjuster was replaced a few years ago under a recall for the plug problem that cause oil wicking. It still makes the noise after sitting several days, but I've just lived with it.
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  #15  
Old 09-04-2015, 07:40 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by glenmore View Post
So far these are the parts referred to above. Can anyone sort these out?

1) hydraulic cam chain tensioner
2) cam advance unit
3) cam belt tensioner
4) cam adjuster solenoid
5) cam adjuster mechanism
6 ) cam chain tensioner

Thanks
Items 1 ,3 , 6 are the same part ( except on our engines we ahve a chain not a belt ) This is a device that maintains proper tension / take the slack out of the timing chain.

2 , 5 are the same part, they vary the intake camshaft timing relative to the crankshaft. This gives a broader flatter power band ( Rather than the engine being tuned to make power at a specific RPM , the adjuster broadens the power curve. As a side note, many intake manifolds use a long / short runner flap valve to help stretch out the power curve as well. )

4 This is a non part though in some sense the electro magnet coil and cam adjuster could be considered a solenoid system but no one in the USA is going to refer to it as such. ( Unless it as an artifact from German / English translation. )

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