E240 Cam Follower Replace????

stu1765

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Hi to all.

I have read the threads concerning "tappet/ticking" engine noise and I am at a loss about the best way to solve incessant ticking noise from my E240. Its now done over 190k miles but has been ticking away for the last 4 years.

Previous "merc indies" have said it is probably exhaust manifold internal cracks and to leave it due to the age (worth) of the car but I am convinced it is getting worse. It sound very much like its engine related to the point where now I feel I am driving a diesel!!!!

My question is at 190k miles should I just accept the fact that the engine will be wearing out or could I reasonably do a few DIY checks/procedures to try and rectify the problem?

I have tried Wynns additive to try and free up any potentially blocked cam followers but it hasnt had any affect.

1. Is it worth a full engine flush?
2. How hard is it to remove/check/replace the exhaust manifold?
3. How hard for a DIY job on the cam followers?
4, How likely is is to be the cam chain?

The car has a full service history with either MB or Merc Indies, has had regular oil/filter changes and does 80% motorway miles.


Any suggestions and recommendations would be appreciated.

Stu
 

television

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I can print off all of the work sheets for those jobs over the weekend, this is a very good engine, and I would love to hear the noise myself, the exhaust I do not follow :confused:
 

brianbrian

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Problem is when you start to undo the nuts on exaust manifold, the studs can break because off age, Just put up with it.
 

television

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Well we can hear the noise at the meet if it has not been fixed by then
 
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stu1765

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Thanks Malcolm - if you could send me the sheets I would be very grateful.

Where and when is the meet you refer to?

I am loathed to do the manifold precisely for the reason brianbrian is suggesting - possibility of shearing a stud. I always have been told its this but the engine "top end" does really exert a "tappetty" sound and its not just on start up to fill the lifters but all the time.

Doing the belt tensioner this weekend as that is also rattling but I am sure this is not the total cause of the noise.

Stu
 

wynanddb

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Hi Stu, Television.

I had the tappet noise as well, turned out to be a broken camshaft adjuster. Using a screwdriver or a piece of hose as a stetoscope the sound came from the front of the tappet cover. On a 190 000miles, it would be a good idea to change the camchain, mine on 180 000 miles the chain was stretched quite a bit. The tick in that case could be the chain starting to ride worn teeth on the timing gear I think - Television what do think?
 

television

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Hi Stu, Television.

I had the tappet noise as well, turned out to be a broken camshaft adjuster. Using a screwdriver or a piece of hose as a stetoscope the sound came from the front of the tappet cover. On a 190 000miles, it would be a good idea to change the camchain, mine on 180 000 miles the chain was stretched quite a bit. The tick in that case could be the chain starting to ride worn teeth on the timing gear I think - Television what do think?

I think that you are spot on here, the new chain can be pulled through on the end of the old one and 2 new sprockets would do no harm if the teeth are sharp.
 
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stu1765

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Malcolm/Wynanddb

Thanks for that advice.

Now the hard bit, is a timing chain/sprocket/adjuster replacement a DIY job? I am pretty handy on bikes but a novice on cars but willing to give it a go.


TV do you have a link to the Russian site you could point me to so that I can get the part numbers?

Thanks again for all your help.

Stu
 

television

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Stu,I have sent you 3 papers that cover most of the work, with car you can do it your self, its all a matter of getting the timing marks lined up correctly.

I can print off a paper for the adjust part I think
 
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stu1765

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Malcolm/Wynanddb - anyone!!

Malcolm - thanks for the papers you sent but it looks like they are not for my 112 engine??

I fitted a new V belt and tensioner today as that was definitely on the way out and rattling but it hasn't affected the "tappetty" sound.

I used Wynanddb's suggestion today and used a long screwdriver as a stethoscope to search for the tappety/ticking sound from the top of the engine. I think I may have discovered the source - I am sure it is coming from the fuel delivery tube which has all the injectors branching off it.

I listened around the cam covers on both sides of the V and I don't think its anything to do with the valve gear or chain - I maybe wrong but the sound changed from a "wooshing" from the valve gear (which from my bike experience is a pretty normal sound around the top end) to a tickety/tappety as soon as I placed the screwdriver on the fuel/injection line.

When driving the noise is definitely more defined under acceleration - which was where all the garages voicing an opinion previously have suggested its exhaust manifold resonance from an internal fracture (something they say is common with the M112/W210???) - but the sound is always there and rises/falls with engine revs.

The only time the sound appears to reduce somewhat is when "coasting" (i.e foot off the gas) - say down an incline etc when the engine is under less load which is now starting to make me strongly suspect whether it could be an injector or am I barking up the wrong tree??

Stu
 

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Malcolm/Wynanddb - anyone!!

Malcolm - thanks for the papers you sent but it looks like they are not for my 112 engine??

I fitted a new V belt and tensioner today as that was definitely on the way out and rattling but it hasn't affected the "tappetty" sound.

I used Wynanddb's suggestion today and used a long screwdriver as a stethoscope to search for the tappety/ticking sound from the top of the engine. I think I may have discovered the source - I am sure it is coming from the fuel delivery tube which has all the injectors branching off it.

I listened around the cam covers on both sides of the V and I don't think its anything to do with the valve gear or chain - I maybe wrong but the sound changed from a "wooshing" from the valve gear (which from my bike experience is a pretty normal sound around the top end) to a tickety/tappety as soon as I placed the screwdriver on the fuel/injection line.

When driving the noise is definitely more defined under acceleration - which was where all the garages voicing an opinion previously have suggested its exhaust manifold resonance from an internal fracture (something they say is common with the M112/W210???) - but the sound is always there and rises/falls with engine revs.

The only time the sound appears to reduce somewhat is when "coasting" (i.e foot off the gas) - say down an incline etc when the engine is under less load which is now starting to make me strongly suspect whether it could be an injector or am I barking up the wrong tree??

Stu

Mine does the exact same while coasting, thought it was the camshaft adjuster which I in turn replaced. :(, Although from inside the car mine sounds more like a bearing knock
 
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stu1765

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Seems phoenix may have accidently stumbled on the same problem - a faulty injector.

I will check mine out tomorrow.
 

television

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Good luck on the injectors, the 112 in my SL was silent
 
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stu1765

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Phoenix

Yes I can hear the ticking inside the car - that's what spoils my drive!

The injectors I checked all make the same tick so I am presuming its not them?

I have checked the exhaust brackets and heatshields and nothing appears loose or fouling another part.

I am wondering whether the injector ticking noise I hear when looking underneath the bonnet/hood is the same as I hear when driving?

The sound is definitely related to accelerator or engine load - when accelerating the ticking gets louder - when coasting/decelerating its still there but not as pronounced.

Wondering if it is indeed the exhaust manifold and/or gasket???
 

Dosco

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Regeneration Valve

Had the 'ticking' noise very similar to your description and a forum member suggested the above item might be the problem. Check it out it is item 5 on the Russian parts list under page 060 Closed Fuel Evaporation Control System The item on my E240 (petrol) is on the RH side next to and behind the washer bottle as viewed from the front. I could 'feel' the device ticking/pulsating as well as hear the noise, a replacement cured the problem.

May be helpful to you ;)
 
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stu1765

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Hi Dosco

I cant seem to find the link on the russian site - could you assist?

Many thanks

Stu
 
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stu1765

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hi again

I have disconnected what I think is the regeneration valve (it does occassionaly tick when idling but i presume this is normal?) and gone out for a quick spin - it hasnt made any difference - the tappety/tickety noise still there.

I now want to check the cam chain tensioner - but not sure where it is on my M112 V6 engine - can anyone help?

Thanks again for everybody's assistance!
 


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