joys of owning a mercedes 230te

[booyaford]

hi everyone,

some help if you could has above i own 230te its a great car looks fantastic for its age 21years and well would drive as well if only for a irritating tapping noise coming from top of camshaft cover.
i have done the usual search web and a multitude of options and opinions came up so i thought i ask the people with the most knowledge and experience (that's you lot by the way)
would i be right in thinking it tappets/rocker arms/lifters/cam shaft all or any how big a job and what price would be involved would be great to know.
oil has been changed with new filter and recent new water pump and coolant change and it runs like a dream if i could clear the tapping up i would be a very happy soul, i even hear it in my sleep.
god bless for any advice thanks booya

 

[brianbrian]

Whats the mileage

 

[television]

Hello and welcome to the forum


This sounds like the pads are worn, and the sprokets could be taken off and the cam shaft lifted to replace them.

Best done by a good indie,,they know how to do it correctly

 

[meanie]

If it's a tapping & not a rattle then I'd go for a hydraulic tappet.It's easy enough to remove the cam cover to take a look at the cam lobes to check for cam wear.
If the cam looks ok then I'd try a good oil flush (Forte).Do it a couple of times if need be.

 

[teddycatkin]

The M103 engine is VERY prone to rattle/tapping from hydraulic tappets on cold start ups ! --its not a thing to worry too much about unless alarmingly loud and can be sorted by just changing the oil and giving the engine a good run !-be aware that newer fully synthetics are not suited to this engine --you can change the tappets but unless they are worn --(really high miles and not serviced properley) then it will not alter the problem.
If its more of a ticking noise when the engine is hot however then it is the exhaust manifold gaskets that need replacing ???

 

[meanie]

The M103 engine is VERY prone to rattle/tapping from hydraulic tappets on cold start ups ! --its not a thing to worry too much about unless alarmingly loud and can be sorted by just changing the oil and giving the engine a good run !-be aware that newer fully synthetics are not suited to this engine --you can change the tappets but unless they are worn --(really high miles and not serviced properley) then it will not alter the problem.
If its more of a ticking noise when the engine is hot however then it is the exhaust manifold gaskets that need replacing ???

True,but this is a 102 engine.For some reason they were heavy on cams & chains, whereas the 103 engine (which was little more than a 102 with a couple of extra cylinders, wasn't). I have a theory that it was down to the harshness of the 102 engine.
Good point about the oil- a good quality semi synthetic is more than adequate.

 

[teddycatkin]

Yes if this is a 230 -4 cylinider it will of course be be a 102 engine --I stand corrected but just the same these items apply ?

 

[The Crooner]

I would change the oil and filter - use a genuine MB filter and semi synthetic oil.

Go to Halfords and look in the oil additives section, and there is a product for freeing hydraulic tappets.

Put the bottle in with the fresh oil and top up the oil to near the max.

Run the car, if you are lucky it will go away. If not you have very cheaply diagnosed you have a bigger problem.

This procedure was tried, tested and proved working in my car with 200k. No more tappet noise.

Tony

 

[The Crooner]

AS a follow up I put slick 50 in the oil at the next change.

When we drained the oil for the next change it was amazing what colour the oil was.

Its due another change fairly soon, and looking at the dipstick now it will come out fairly clean.

Tony

 

[television]

The 2 post by Crooner are good in that this can work,,so why not do this first

 

[booyaford]

morning all
thanks for replies mileage 129,000 quite good for age have changed oil and filter with semi synthetic,it is a tapping noise but it stays all the time even when oil temp is hot like i posted it runs like a dream but that infernal tap tap tap i feel like Fred Astaire.so to change tappets maybe wont cure problem as mileage is lowish,
and i suppose its vanity as well cars quite a looker (not unlike myself may i add) but now i get more looks but for the wrong reasons.i will look at exhaust gasket but iam sure its from inside cam cover.
i will try crooners advice sounds good i hope and pray to all thats good ginger will lose a dance partner.
regards my new merc friends

 

[booyaford]

great advice and it worked and then this happens

thought i would update this thread i started awhile ago on my tappy problem
well the advice for oil change and flush did work thank you all, and 230 was running sweet as a nut.(if there is such a thing).

and then this happens!


and with my ill gotten gains i purchased this


:lol: booya!

regards mark

 

[Tashman]

Wow... and she comes with a free car too!

 

[booyaford]

oh yes best deal i have ever had picked up a french wife
and german car who says euro is failing.

 

[MechPhil]

I should change the oil in my 260E! Maybe I can get a coupe as well!