1994 S 600. Engine is making a ticking noise????
 

The oil look to be old. I have only had the car for a week and it drives like a dream !!! The noise is somewhat concerning. I hope the oil change will help. I have read several posts about timming chains and what not. Any help is GREATLY appreciated!!!

cj

My engine was making a ticking noise that made me feel sick to my stomach and it turned out to be the bolts on the harmonic ballancer where loose! It might not be as bad as it sounds.
Good luck

cj, how many miles on your S600? It would help if you were more specific about the source of the ticking, but it is likely due to sticking hydraulic lifters. Try Mobil 1 15W50 in your engine.

178,000. miles
 

I was told to try Valvaline Max Life. For high mileage cars. I know the previous owner and he took very good care of the car.

cdplayer
 

I found a beautiful 1984 500 SEC about 6 months ago. Had 230,000 on it. And everything works! Even the rear defroster. No tears or wear spots on the leather.
Anyway, at startup after setting a while there is a definate ticking more noticibly on the passenger side front cylinder. I put Mobil 1 15/50 in it about 3000 miles ago. Still no change. Just last night I read here Mobil 1 could take 10,000 miles to quiet down the lifters. Keep you posted.

Don't put that crap into an MB!
That's a conventional oil, NOT a synthetic. You have MB's TOP OF THE LINE model car for 1994. Use the best oil you can find. Mobil-1 0-40 is recommended according to Mobil's site.

Here is a good site for your S600:

http://v12uberalles.com/index.html

and along those lines:

http://www.baxnet.net/merc/

and for the ticking:

http://www.baxnet.com/merc/oilguides/story.htm

Maybe those sites can help you.

Is it possibly . . .
 

Is it possibly the plastic oil nozzles on the cams? I've heard that they sometimes become displaced and ticking from the top of the engine is the resulting symptom. That's not an expensive fix.