E220 (W212) 2014 - Cold Start Noise?

[Christopher Martino]

Hi everyone,

I'm new to the MB world, my E220 W212 with 92,000 miles on it has this random noise on cold start, it only lasts a matter of seconds (~4-5 seconds) and then completely goes away and sounds very smooth and healthy.

I've done a bit of research before posting and lots of people seem to either say "it's normal is a MB thing" or "OMG TIMING CHAIN GUIDES" etc.

I'd like some clarity of the seasoned guys on here...

Basically the closest sounding video I can find on YouTube is this:

Anyone have any ideas? It's had a full MB service history, all oil and filters etc. Meticulously maintained.

Thanks!

 

[LostKiwi]

Sounds like timing chain rattle.
Over time the chains wear and need replacing.

The noise goes away when the timing chain tensioner gets oil pressure and takes up the slack.

 

[Christopher Martino]

Sounds like timing chain rattle.
Over time the chains wear and need replacing.

The noise goes away when the timing chain tensioner gets oil pressure and takes up the slack.

Any idea on what the chain on one of these costs to get done?

 

[LostKiwi]

Sorry no idea.
Depending where you are we can recommend places we've used and trust if that's any help?

 

[Christopher Martino]

Newcastle.

I rang a local specialist and was quoted £1800.... oh my god :<

 

[star]

That’s too expensive.

 

[Christopher Martino]

That’s too expensive.

What would your place charge?

 

[star]

I’m away till Monday, if you call the workshop with your reg and ask for Chris, he’ll be able to quote the job.

 

[Christopher Martino]

Just an update on this incase anyone sumbles across the thread googling the symptoms.

Computer stated 60 days until B service. I had already bought the full service kit from the dealer for £200 (including genuine oil, filter, fuel filter, air filter etc)

So I had a few recommendations from some specialist mechanics to run an engine flush through and change the oil since the chain is oil pressure fed for the tensioner.

So pottered on this weekend done the full service and engine flush... looks like someone been resetting the service intervals on the computer or something, this doesn’t look like it’s been in 2/3 of a year.

Anyway... so service complete, oil flush complete and the noise... for the last 6 cold starts anyway seems to have completely vanished, maybe the oil had degraded to such a point that it struggled to build pressure up intitially.

 

[LostKiwi]

A good result then!

 

[star]

The new oil and filter might help lesson the noise on start up but the chain will still be worn and I suspect the noise to return.

 

[Wighty]

Just an update on this incase anyone sumbles across the thread googling the symptoms.

Computer stated 60 days until B service. I had already bought the full service kit from the dealer for £200 (including genuine oil, filter, fuel filter, air filter etc)

So I had a few recommendations from some specialist mechanics to run an engine flush through and change the oil since the chain is oil pressure fed for the tensioner.

So pottered on this weekend done the full service and engine flush... looks like someone been resetting the service intervals on the computer or something, this doesn’t look like it’s been in 2/3 of a year.

Anyway... so service complete, oil flush complete and the noise... for the last 6 cold starts anyway seems to have completely vanished, maybe the oil had degraded to such a point that it struggled to build pressure up intitially.

Some air filter service schedules are 4years/50k miles , so yours may have been in for 40k miles

 

[mrmb]

I don't know if it is too much and maybe I am too sensitive about it but I am changing all the filters once a year. I am doing this since I had W203 then W204 with M271 and now W204 with OM651 and so far no problems. It doesn't cost much and filters from MANN or Knecht I would say will do the same job as OEM however for oil filter I am only buying OEM.

 

[Wighty]

I don't know if it is too much and maybe I am too sensitive about it but I am changing all the filters once a year. I am doing this since I had W203 then W204 with M271 and now W204 with OM651 and so far no problems. It doesn't cost much and filters from MANN or Knecht I would say will do the same job as OEM however for oil filter I am only buying OEM.

I pretty much do the same , it's cheap enough when you DIY it .

 

[steveq]

In the service manual on my E220 with the OM651 engine, the air filter is to be changed every 4 years or 46,500 miles.

The filter in the OP's picture above looks like it has done that -- is it the original?

It looks very dirty and is (over)due a change. I would say that it could be impacting the performance & efficiency of the engine being that dirty and clogged.

I understand the logic of changing the engine oil & filter annually but I don't get the logic of changing the air filter every year (unless you are doing 46K p.a.).

 

[mrmb]

I am doing about 30 000km a year.

 

[Christopher Martino]

An update on this...

Still no noise and I've been listening intently on morning cold starts. I have however got 20 days warranty with AA Inspect and Protect remaining.

I've booked it in at a local specialist garage who are going to try and process it under warranty. I've owned the car 2 1/2 months and it has 92,000 miles on it. Policy wording states it includes timing belts but in particular what worries me is it states the following is not covered "Wear and tear where the vehicle has covered more than 60,000", not sure if the timing chain would be categorised as that?

The garage has been instructed by the warranty that a full strip down is required before the company will authorise it... on the OM651, that's a full engine and box removal MB quote a 50 labour hour job. So I'd already be fully committed financially to the work if they came back and said no it's not covered.

The garage has quoted me £1650 for the job in total if I have to pay to complete the work, if warranty say no.

Let's see how this pans out...

 

[star]

Remove the engine and box? Really.

 

[Christopher Martino]

Remove the engine and box? Really.

As per Mercedes guidelines, yes

 

[star]

Well we all know Mercedes like to eeek out a job. I know it’s not necessary to remove engine for a chain replacement.