Hi, I'm new to this forum so I apologize if this topic may have been covered. I did a search but it didn't turn up with anything related to my questions.

My family's SL is having problems and all we've been getting from the dealership is bills, more bills and no answers. My first question is: was there a TSB regarding faulty/malfunctioning roof locks? The hard top wouldn't lock down completely a few months back and it'd be nice to have an idea as to why it is happening.

My other question is when the car is in gear (either forward or reverse) a loud ticking sound is emitted from the engine bay area. What could it be? I was looking at the engine block while the car was shifted into gear and the whole block sort of shifted. Could it be a motor mount problem? If it's of any use to anyone, the sound seems to coming from the lower, left hand side of the engine block (when looking into the engine bay from the front of the car).

I would appreciate any help at all, even if it's a wild guess at this point. There's only one official Mercedes Benz dealership here in Hong Kong and they're all a bunch of idiots in my opinion. Thanks for you time

It might be a rare chance, but, as for the block moving, do you feel alot more vibration with the engine??? My car used to have that tick sound, and I felt alot of the vibration. What it turned out is that one of my engine mount wore out and collapsed, thus the engine is tilt to one side a bit......

It might have nothing to do with your case, but just to let you know....

Sorry if I can't be any more help...
Andy Kuo

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• 1992 Mercedes-Benz 400SE
  
• Pearl Grey/Black Leather
  

ICQ#26950002
Mercedes Owners ICQ ActiveList ID#61730549
Mercedes S-Class Page
http://akry.homestead.com

There is a service bulletin reguarding the hydraulic cylinders in the windshield header. The cylinders weren't strong enough. I don't think your car is affected as I think this was corrected in service around 1995. I could be wrong.

As to your ticking, I would suspect the belt tentioner on the serpentine belt. I would find it hard to believe that motor mounts could cause a noise, vibration yes!.. noise..No.

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Steve Brotherton
Owner 24 bay BSC
Bosch Master, ASE master L1
26 years MB technician

Thanks for the replies guys.

akry - The more I think about it, the more I think that the motor mount might be worn out or something. The motor actually moves a good 2 inches or so in the engine bay when it is shifted in or out of gear. 'Course this is pure speculation on my part...

stevebfl - I was taking pot shots in the dark with my guesses So there are two problems that need to be addressed now. Is there any way for me to visually check the belt tensioner on the serpentine belt myself? I don't think I can come anywhere near to explaining this to the local techs... and would you know if I could do the same for the motor mounts? Should I look for cracks, debris, etc. around the areas in question?

The noise associated with belt problems has mostly to do with flopping of the belt. It is visably noticable to anyone who has seen it. All I can say is that if the problem is with the belt it should be visable.

Motor mount problems are not so distinct. I would guess that all problems of a motor mount nature would be easily detectable

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Steve Brotherton
Owner 24 bay BSC
Bosch Master, ASE master L1
26 years MB technician