98 SL500 "ticking"
 

Just purchased, 52K miles, locally MB dealer serviced by PO, all services completed on schedule, no open recalls. Noticable intermitent tick originating from upper drivers side of engine. Just had MB local dealer service, Mobil 1. SA had can of "MOA" formula (whatevere that is) added, said it may take a week if that might resolve it. Drove 60 highway miles next day, tick gone for the day. Later that evening after a 15 mile drive, ticking resumed as I was pulling into the garage.

MB newbie would greatly appreciate your advice on what it may be and next steps. Should I start a home loan process to pay for repair?

There's a DIY article that describes the fix.
Look HERE.

Huh? Could you perhaps elaborate on this.

If it isn't a . . .
 

. . a broken oil tube, then might be an adjunct such as described in MENU#17 on my page. Especially read the UPDATE in "blue" toward the bottom of the page.

Let us know.

what
 

describe the ticking,
where does it come from


Ticking can range from a leaking exhaust manifold gasket to lifters.

Location
 

Sounds like it's coming from the upper drivers side, center portion of engine. Still comes and goes, not there all the time. Does not matter if it's hot or cold.

.
 

upper portion suggests from the rocker cover. If so then id guess a sticky lifter.