Noisy Engine on CLK 240!

[Simon Palmer]

Hi all.

I recently purchased a CLK 240 on an 02 plate with 31K on the clock. Having previously owned a 98 plate 320 I am surprised to find the 240's engine seems harsh in comparision? By this I mean it seems very intrusive in the car itself (almost tappety?) although sounds ok when I drive along with the window open. i.e. has that meaty sound of a mercedes straight six.

Would I be right in saying this is just how it is and i should put up and shut up or should I be worrying?

I do get the feeling that the build quality isn't that of the 320 as so far I have had to have new front anti roll bar bushes and am booked in for new front brake dicsa to cure the steering wheel judder under braking :-(

Any advice on the cabin noise would be greatly appreciated.

Cheers

Simon

 

[jberks]

I'm surprised. I'd have expected the 240 to be sweeter and quieter than the 320.

 

[Stu_CDX]

I never thought the 240 was a 6 cylinder?

I thought the 260 was the smallest 6 Merc did...

 

[Simon Palmer]

I'm surprised. I'd have expected the 240 to be sweeter and quieter than the 320.

Hi JB,

I was hoping so too but there just seems to be a lot of engine noise coming into the cabin?

Like i said it sounds ok when i drive along with the window open, very straight sixy if that makes sense and it pulls well but the engine noise is a pain.

I've just checked and it was only serviced 3k miles ago in August so it's not like it hasnt been looked after?

I didn't pick it up on the test drive for whatever reason, probably the sales bloke rabbitting!

Do you know of anyone in the Newbury area who would be able to cast an experienced ear over it?

Cheers

Simon

 

[jberks]

It may be that there is a cabin seal adrift somewhere so you can hear the exhaust or something.
My E240 seemed noisy when I got it (road noise) but strangely only from the passenger side. It thought it was me being daft but it bugged me and It took a few weeks but I discovered that a rubber boot was missing from the passenger door check strap and the door itself was tinnier than the others (missing a soundproofing pad). They denied it but I'm pretty sure it must have had a new door at some point to have suffered from these things. Once sorted she was quiet.
Ticking noises can come from the exhaust, especially if you can hear the pipe before the silencer. If, say, the seal under the gearshift was slightly unseated, that could give you the noises you're experiencing.
I'll leave it to more local folk to recommend an indie in your area.

 

[Simon Palmer]

It may be that there is a cabin seal adrift somewhere so you can hear the exhaust or something.
My E240 seemed noisy when I got it (road noise) but strangely only from the passenger side. It thought it was me being daft but it bugged me and It took a few weeks but I discovered that a rubber boot was missing from the passenger door check strap and the door itself was tinnier than the others (missing a soundproofing pad). They denied it but I'm pretty sure it must have had a new door at some point to have suffered from these things. Once sorted she was quiet.
Ticking noises can come from the exhaust, especially if you can hear the pipe before the silencer. If, say, the seal under the gearshift was slightly unseated, that could give you the noises you're experiencing.
I'll leave it to more local folk to recommend an indie in your area.

JB,

Thanks for the wise words, like you say it is also BUGGING the hell out of me. I've used pro tech in kingsclere before and they've always been helpful and willing to try things for free to see if it fixes the 'problem'. I'll run your idea's by them and let you know what they say. Hopefully they do find something as the next 4 years are going to be annoyingly loud otherwise

If anyone else also has any idea's i'll be eternally grateful!

Simon

 

[television]

Hi Simon,, it often pays to be a passenger, so that you can nose around in the car while it is being driven. when driving at the speed where the noise starts you can have a big soft duster to move around all of the door seals etc, and its easy to detect any change in the noise with this.

Engine noise can come in through electric fuse and relay boxes as this is how the wires get from the engine compartment to the cab, are all of the lids on OK

 

[Simon Palmer]

Hi Simon,, it often pays to be a passenger, so that you can nose around in the car while it is being driven. when driving at the speed where the noise starts you can have a big soft duster to move around all of the door seals etc, and its easy to detect any change in the noise with this.

Engine noise can come in through electric fuse and relay boxes as this is how the wires get from the engine compartment to the cab, are all of the lids on OK

Malcolm,

thanks for your input, i'll give that a go but it does mean having the wife drive and she loves those kerbs!!

i'm going to venture into the cold now and have a look at the electric fuse and relay boxes.

Cheers

Simon

 

[Simon Palmer]

Hi Simon,, it often pays to be a passenger, so that you can nose around in the car while it is being driven. when driving at the speed where the noise starts you can have a big soft duster to move around all of the door seals etc, and its easy to detect any change in the noise with this.

Engine noise can come in through electric fuse and relay boxes as this is how the wires get from the engine compartment to the cab, are all of the lids on OK

Fuse box etc were all ok but i did discover that the air conditioning filter/box was hanging off so thats now back on properly, have had a quick spin and can't really tell if it's made any difference but i did notice that the felt matting that goes 'round the back' of the engine doesnt appear to be in place properly. There is a half centimetre gap round the top where it looks like it should butt up against/link iinto a rubber seal. Before I bought it it had a new speedo fitted, would the felt matting of been removed to do this, if so I reckon it hasnt been put back properly? Also looks like quite a job, not sure i fancy tackling it myself!

 

[television]

Simon, all of your car is here

http://www.detali.ru/cat/oem_mb1.asp?TP=1&F=209361&VIN=

You can go to the different section like 68 Paneling.
http://www.detali.ru/cat/oem_mb1.as...722.696&GM=716.623716.634&CT=F&Cat=69M&SID=68

then go to 055

http://www.detali.ru/cat/oem_mb2.as...623716.634&CT=F&cat=69M&SID=68&SGR=055&SGN=01


do the same for the other air con parts

 

[Simon Palmer]

Simon, all of your car is here

http://www.detali.ru/cat/oem_mb1.asp?TP=1&F=209361&VIN=

You can go to the different section like 68 Paneling.
http://www.detali.ru/cat/oem_mb1.as...722.696&GM=716.623716.634&CT=F&Cat=69M&SID=68

then go to 055

http://www.detali.ru/cat/oem_mb2.as...623716.634&CT=F&cat=69M&SID=68&SGR=055&SGN=01


do the same for the other air con parts

Cheers Malcolm.

 

[jberks]

Before I bought it it had a new speedo fitted, would the felt matting of been removed to do this, if so I reckon it hasnt been put back properly? Also looks like quite a job, not sure i fancy tackling it myself!

Sadly no, the speedo is a purely internal job (pop out the old one and plug in a new one basically - 2 mins and all done from the driver's seat), no need to open the bonnet at all. But it does sound like you may be on the right track with the soundproofing, if that's come adrift ......

 

[MB TECH WARRINGTON]

a common cause of engine noise inside the cabin is the rubber boot around the steering column, where it goes through from inside to engine bay area. check this, if this comes adrift cabin noise does increase somewhat, with manifold being so close to this boot, the noise is very mechanical.

give this a try, easy to check,

 

[Simon Palmer]

a common cause of engine noise inside the cabin is the rubber boot around the steering column, where it goes through from inside to engine bay area. check this, if this comes adrift cabin noise does increase somewhat, with manifold being so close to this boot, the noise is very mechanical.

give this a try, easy to check,

Hi all,

Sorry to drag this thread to life again but the noise is still with me despite an awful lot of diagnosis. The rubber boot was mentioned but apparently it isn't that. However a closure may be in sight by all accounts. I am now told that the noise is a 'vacuum pipe' either split or loose. This pipe unfortunately can't be reached through the engine bay and requires the entire dashboard to be removed to get at it, this is a 9 hour labour job!! Does this sound correct guys or am i being led up the garden path by a desperate main dealer?

Cheers

Simon

 

[jberks]

Hi all,

Sorry to drag this thread to life again but the noise is still with me despite an awful lot of diagnosis. The rubber boot was mentioned but apparently it isn't that. However a closure may be in sight by all accounts. I am now told that the noise is a 'vacuum pipe' either split or loose. This pipe unfortunately can't be reached through the engine bay and requires the entire dashboard to be removed to get at it, this is a 9 hour labour job!! Does this sound correct guys or am i being led up the garden path by a desperate main dealer?

Cheers

Simon

Hi Simon,
Sorry, no idea about the diagnosis but 9 hours at normal charges is £900-£1000.
There are 2 questions I'd be asking.
Firstly - how confident are they? Are they prepared to put their money where their mouths are and guarantee a repair or no charge?
Secondly - What discount are they offering? Mention that you can get an indie to do this work for around £400.
Assuming he could guarantee a fix for say £500, I may be tempted .....

 

[Simon Palmer]

Hi Simon,
Sorry, no idea about the diagnosis but 9 hours at normal charges is £900-£1000.
There are 2 questions I'd be asking.
Firstly - how confident are they? Are they prepared to put their money where their mouths are and guarantee a repair or no charge?
Secondly - What discount are they offering? Mention that you can get an indie to do this work for around £400.
Assuming he could guarantee a fix for say £500, I may be tempted .....

I am seriously considering doing this. I have been to Mercedes Benz in Newbury who have to be fair been very helpful and spent a whole day fiddling for absolutely no charge. You're right with the pricing, they want the best part of £900.00

 

[stu1765]

Hi

I would intersted to establish what the vacuum pipe is serving and whether it could also be the cause of my long term "tappety" noise issue on my E240 W210.

Simon have they stated whereabouts the pipe is and what it is serving? I am also trying to get to the root of the ticking sound in my car. It is most pronounced when accelerating it has a sound that could well be air/vacuum.

I can fully appreciate your annoyance - it spoils what could be a great drive but £900 is a whopping cost though!!!!!!!!!!

Thanks

Stu

 

[Seeker_UK]

I never thought the 240 was a 6 cylinder?

I thought the 260 was the smallest 6 Merc did...

It is.

The 240 is 2.6.

 

[rpe2]

I am seriously considering doing this. I have been to Mercedes Benz in Newbury who have to be fair been very helpful and spent a whole day fiddling for absolutely no charge. You're right with the pricing, they want the best part of £900.00

There's a MB specialist in Headley, Protech, 01635 299811, by all accounts run by an ex MB Newbury guy.

 

[television]

If you guys need any papers on how to remove the dash etc just ask