240D Making 'Tic Tic Tic' Noises while running
 

Hi, first post on the board. I have a 79 240D, 188k, Automatic, no problems. Just recently, about a month ago, had a valve adjustment.

Today while driving the car, things seemed very weak. At first I thought the car was in the wrong gear, but no, it was in drive. The car made a tinny sound, sort of tic tic tic, almost like a playing card on a bicycle. It was running underpowered, but the temperature never got above 90 on the thermometer. The oil was a bit low, and later on after it cooled down, I added another quart. Still, the tinny sound, every time I rev up and hit the accelerator. You could hear it echo down the street. I know this may not be the best description, but any thoughts?

Hopefully, if it sits a day or two, it will go away! And, BTW, nothing was leaking, smoking, or smelling, that I noticed. The car starts fine and it almost sounds like the noise is coming from the center of the car. THANKS!

clock noise
 

1.Check your valve clearance(s).
2.Check your timing chain "stretch"

did you
 

just fill it up?

maybe bad fuel? maybe gasoline in it? is this how it would sound if gasoline got in it?

tom w

Maybe a valve adjustment nut came loose.

It almost sounds that way too, sort of like putting in a low grade octane in a gas car. There is nothing but diesel in the car though.

Thanks, I'll call the mechanic who did the v.a.

tick, tick tick.
 

Fuel, glow plug or vave adjusment Also, it is a diesel and they do make noise. especially this time of year, if you live in a cold climate.

It was about 45 degrees last night. I'll top off with some fresh diesel and make sure to call the mechanic today. Thanks for the tips so far everyone, keep them coming!

You should keep diesels ans well as gas enignes full
 

of fuel, especially this time of the year, mositure. I'll bet it is either a valve adjustment or fuel, could be injectors also, My C280 injectors tap I have noticed in the cold, this is actually not a bad thing I was also told?

The valve adjust was done a month or so ago. I talked to my mechanic and he said to add a quart of transmission fluid into the diesel, and he mentioned a cranky injector was a possibility. We'll see. Thanks.

Never heard of adding transmission fluid to diesels
 

but I have never owned one either and if the mechanic is a diesel mechanic, then he must know. I still think it my second choice bad injector is the problem. Let us know?

Well I talked to the mechanic while running the car. Over the phone, he said it sounded bad and advised me not to drive it anymore before it can be checked out. Possible a bad engine rod or so forth. I asked, if that was indeed the case, would it be expensive to fix. His reply "exorbitant." He said it could be something simpler like a loose bearing or something and its best to have it looked at. So now I need to figure out how to get it towed over there, from FW to Dallas, about 40 miles. :( Very unsettling and if it is super expensive to fix.... it may be the end....

well dont
 

begin the mourning process just yet.

i have torn down a cluster of high mileage benz motors and have yet to see worn out bearings. usually with 250k on them we can reassemble with standard bearings. sometimes we dont even put new ones in.

i would be surprised if it is worn out bearings. the only way for that to happen is to run it low on oil or with a bad oil pump. and i have never heard of a bad oil pump yet.

tom w

well that is good to hear, I think. I am not familiar with most of this stuff, if the bearings are worn out, is that an expensive fix?

Easier to give advice while there...

First, Mercedes specifically advices against the use of ATF as a fuel additive. If it might be an injector something like chevron's techron additive can be used in IDE. BK-44 or something.
Also, I've thought my motor had strange noises and then changed the oil and filter, having them disappear!
Could be just loose carbon in the pre-chamber.

I'm not in the state right now... but when at home in Hurst I can take a look at these things. Are you patched into the local MBCA club? Perhaps a diesel addicted member could stop by and offer advice.

Michael