Lifter noise - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

#1 10-31-2003, 10:39 AM

I have recently developed a tapping noise on the right bank of my 1994 E 420 MB. They tell me it sounds like a lifter making the noise. The Auto has 126,000 miles on it. I change the oil and filter every 3000 miles, use Valvoline 10W-40 oil? Is there any way to get rid of the noise, aside from doing lifter job? Could the rocker arm have loosened up? I am looking for a quick fix to this problem if there is any. I love the auto but the noise is driving me crazy. My wife tells me it sounds like a marble in a tin can. Thanks for any help that I can get or suggestions that you may have for me. Ben

deanyel · #2 10-31-2003, 03:43 PM

Under the heading of "at least it's cheap", they do make oil addtives to unstick and quiet noisy lifters. I had a 420 that when I let it sit for more than a week or so the lifters would misbehave. On start up it would knock and shake for a few minutes, and then it would be fine. It could be a stuck lifter or oil in the lifter leaking down. Then it fills up again and it's OK. At the time my mechanic recommended the additive, which I put in, but I can't really say if it did any good because I decided never to let it sit for a week. Another thought - could be an oil flow problem - clogged oil tube or something like that. It would be good to figure out where it's coming from.

#3 10-31-2003, 03:56 PM

Deanyel, what was the name of the addtive that they told you to use?? My lifter is noisy from the time I start the auto, (it sounds like it is only one making noise ) until I shut the auto off, even after driving it at highway speeds. I do not even know where to look for the problem. I know that it is coming from the right side of the engine (passenger side). Thanks, Ben

deanyel · #4 10-31-2003, 09:40 PM

Sorry, but I don't remember the name. A good auto parts store should be able to recommend something.

jim16671836 · #5 10-31-2003, 10:29 PM

I had a bad lifter noise and my brother-in-law picked up a additive at one of the auto parts stores and it worked.....yellow plastic, about a pint or so....I will find out tomorrow and add it to this reply..it is CD2 and I have seen it at all major Auto Parts Stores and also Walmart...sometimes it takes 2 doses...jim

#6 11-01-2003, 09:57 AM

I appreciate all the help that I can get. Is it real complicated to try and change a lifter in the E 420 on the right bank?? Has anyone else used any additives to their oil with good success? If anyone has any oter ideas, I surley would appreciate and threads on the matter or any and all replys. And again thanks to all who give their ideas and any and all help that I receive. Ben

ericnguyen · #7 11-01-2003, 12:03 PM

Dear bigben3:

The best additive to unstick and quiet noisy lifters is Marvel Mystery Oil (now owned by TurtleWax). Search the forums for long threads about this additive.

BTW, try to switch to a different oil brand or use Valvoline Maxlife Engine Oil. Maxlife Oil has very good cleaning additives and seal-stop leak additive as well. I tried it on some old cars and it was like a miracle.

Eric

#8 11-02-2003, 12:03 PM

Thanks for the information, I guess that on Monday I will drain a quart of oil out of the MB and add a quart of Marvel mystery oil to it. How long do I leave the marvel in the auto, does it stay in until the next oil change?? I appreciate all of the help that I am getting from everyone in the forum. If anyone else has any suggestions on my problem with the noisy lifter in my 94-E420. I would love to hear from them. Any and all help is greatly appreciated. This is all new to me and I was looking under the hood and saw all of the cosmetics covering the engine and I am a little scared to try and tackle the problem. Again thanks you to all of you, that have replied and taken the time to try and help me. Have a great day and again thanks to all who have replied. Ben

jim16671836 · #9 11-02-2003, 01:08 PM

If Marvel does not help you(it will be a surprise if it does) then please get a engine flush from AMS Oil and flush and then change your oil to AMS Oil Synthetic and not a synthetic mixture..I think this will cure your problem...if you are not ready to change your oil then try some CD2 from any auto parts store including Walmart...Jim

sixto · #10 11-02-2003, 01:19 PM

Before resorting to chemicals, try the search feature

I found this statement from a previous post in a few seconds:

>
If it is coming from the engine and you have the old 4 cam 32v
M119 V-8, there is a pretty good possibility one of the valve tappet oil delivery-tubes has lost it's end plug.
The oil to one lifter is lost, oil pressure drops and the lifter starts
"tappin" . removing the valve cover and inspecting all the little
brown plastic tubes between the cams is a good place to start.
if one is missing the little plug at the bottom, that is your culprit.
If one has failed, replace them all. pn# 119 180 03 66.

AGAIN, THIS ONLY APPLIES TO THE OLD M119 32V V-8.
and is a mere suggestion of a known problem.
>

Sixto
95 S420
91 300SE
87 300SDL
83 300SD

#11 11-02-2003, 03:51 PM

Hello again, I don't want to sound to awfully stupid, but how do I find out if I have the old M119 32V V-8 engine. I surly appreciat all of the imput from everyone, again thanks to all, Ben

sixto · #12 11-02-2003, 05:09 PM

I'm not sure what he means by old M119 engine unless he's distinguishing between the 4.2l and 5.0l M119 and the 4.3l and 5.0l M113.

Sixto
95 S420
91 300SE
87 300SDL
83 300SD

deanyel · #13 11-02-2003, 09:30 PM

With a 94 model I would say you have the "old" 119 motor, i.e. it's pretty much like the original in 92, i.e. it has two distributor caps and rotors. Later 119 motors had coil packs instead. But it was the early cars that had better, metal oil tubes. Later 119s had plastic oil tubes that were more likely to fail. But the early ones can fail too, so I would agree that is something you should look at. BTW all that black plastic "cosmetic" stuff comes off in about five minutes and leaves you with a conventional looking V8 - tight but conventional. Once you figure out how to do it it takes about a mintue.