Top End Rattle

[whammer007]

Hi all,

I have recently noticed a rattling noise from the engine in the wife's W210, it occurs when you blip the throttle past about 1500rpm. If you rev it past 1500it goes away, but reappears on the way down through 1500 again.
It sounds like a camchain rattle, and is quite annoying. Is this a common thing, and is it a sign of impending doom?
The car is a 2002 W210 E200 Kompressor, any advice is appreciated.

Regards,

Whammer.

 

[Ellsy Tanners]

It will be the inlet camshaft adjuster mechamism. i am not aware of a cure other than replacement which is a difficult job, so i would suggest a indie for the job. about 3.5hrs book time so bear that in mind when getting quotes.

 

[whammer007]

Thanks for the reply, much appreciated.
Is this something that will get progressively worse, or is it something that needs attention right away? What potential damage will this fault do if left unchecked?

Regards,

Whammer

 

[Ellsy Tanners]

It will most likely get noiser over time.

I have never seen or heard of one fail, thats not to say it wouldnt, if it were to then it would most likley cause damage similar to that of a timing chain snapping.

Hopefully we will get a few more guys experinces post up.

I would say it will only get noiser, but i dont wont to say that to you and it fail soon.

 

[whammer007]

Thanks Elly Tanners, does anyone else have any experience of this fault? I also noticed that oil can creep from the magnet in front of the camshaft, eventually reaching the lambda probe, MAF and ECU! I will have to check for this ASAP.

Regards,

Whammer

 

[Ellsy Tanners]

By the adapator loom, its not expensive and will save big problems later in life.

 

[whammer007]

I removed the connector from the camshaft solenoid and thankfully it is dry, I'll install the modded part to prevent any future problems as suggested.
Thanks again.

Regards,

Whammer

 

[dirtymonkey29]

what adapter loom?

 

[gravic]

Hi Whammer,
Just wondering if you have tried revving the engine with the connector removed. If the rattle disappears as with my 95 C220, it proves the Camshaft adjuster is the problem.

From my reading, concensus seems to be that it is not an urgent repair, albiet a fairly expensive one! Also it appears OK to run the engine with the connector unplugged at the expense of some loss in performance.

Perhaps you could try it and let us know the effect, my car is off the road due to accident damage, but seems happy to run unplugged. Personally I would prefer to run it like this than listen to the rattle.

regards,
Gravic

 

[whammer007]

Sorry for not posting back sooner. I went to my local indie to price the repair for the rattle, and he confirmed that it was the inlet camshaft actuator. He said MB quoted £300+vat for the part alone, then labour on top.
He also said he'd never seen one fail, let's hope mine is not the first. Swithering about getting it done, cos i'm thinking of changing the car.

Regards,

Whammer