W220 S430 Funny engine noise help needed please

[dannp112]

Hi everyone

Ok need a bit of help here as the garage I bought the car from are sat round scratching their arses saying everything is fine on the car but I don't think so.

1999T S430 with 60,000 miles on it - full service history and last service 4,000 miles ago by main dealer.

For the past couple of days the engine has developed a funny sounds, initially when cold but stays when engine is warm.
I can only describe the sound as like a ticking noise - it is not there at idle or on very gentle acceleration but when pulling away between 2-4K rpm, might be there above this but engine noise covers the sound maybe.
To me it sounds like there is a cylinder that is not firing or something is not lifting right. I have double checked the oil and it is between mid and max level so that seems to be ok.
I did notice about a week ago under heavy acceleration just before the engine changed up it kicked out a bit of (clean) smoke something I haven't seen before.

Advise is required if anyone can help please.

 

[teddycatkin]

Change the oil and filtre --fill exactly to max with a good quality oil and see if its still there?

 

[dannp112]

it is going in for a full oil change on saturday but it was last done 4000 miles ago at merc (or so the print out says!)

 

[brandwooddixon]

Is the tempo of the ticking related to engine speed or road speed?
Is it more noticeable when pulling away or when stationary?
Do you hear it inside the cabin or is it mainly noticeable from outside of the car?

My car has the same engine as yours (I think) and it has made a tick that sounds almost like a noisy injector from one side of the engine for the last 90,000 miles with no ill effects.

 

[dannp112]

Hi Chris

Don't hear it inside the cabin as I have the double glazing so it is noticeable only when I have the window down.
Tempo of the ticking noise is related to the speed of the engine but is louder when the engine is cold and I also when I am pulling away.

 

[matrixabc]

I Have the same on my CL55 AMG, I assume it is possibly part of the exhaust system that is not sealing well when cold? I have yet to have a good look underneath.

Also it has been linked to a loose cat..hope not!

 

[tromppost]

can you hear it if you sit in the car with the door open a rev it slightly, does it come from under the car? if so it's the cat.

 

[dannp112]

Trompost - yes I can but only if the revs go over 2000 rpm - think it may be the cat - will get it checked out when it goes in for an oil service - there is no loss in power in the car so I am presuming that is isn't engine related.
I am presuming that a new cat is going to require a remortgage!?!

 

[tromppost]

Trompost - yes I can but only if the revs go over 2000 rpm - think it may be the cat - will get it checked out when it goes in for an oil service - there is no loss in power in the car so I am presuming that is isn't engine related.
I am presuming that a new cat is going to require a remortgage!?!

It should be around £550 per side all in. Do not leave it to long they can break up in side and blow back.

 

[drmw]

alternative

I had a cat unit break up on my SL500. Dealer price made your eyes water - went to this place http://www.tonybanks.co.uk/exhausts.htm - total craftsman, fabricated one in stainless steel, lifetime guarantee, £180 all in (& he fixed a botched up weld on the other side foc!). The above site is in Leeds, but go to http://www.longlife.co.uk/ who own the franchise & you'll find someone closer to you. Cannot overpraise, an education to watch

 

[dannp112]

drmw - thank for this - lucky for me I am about 10 miles from leeds every weekend so think I will pop in on saturday and see what they can do for me. Remember a guy in Leeds a few years ago called Tony Law and made a custom stainless exhaust for my race car so would like to see what they can do for the merc.
Does it sound any different with it been a stainless steel compared to standard?

 

[dannp112]

Hi Guys,

Thanks for everyone for their help on this problem. Just an update.

I have been the Tony Banks and leeds and they have checked the exhaust out, all the CAT's are fine. There was one broken bracket which they replaced for free (very nice of them and highly recommend them to anyone).

Problem is the noise is still there. It sounds like the exhaust is blowing/ticking noise on revs above 2,000 not as much when you get it to about 5,000 rpm. It sounds like and old car now which I don't like!

I did notice before this sounds started that the exhaust did kick out a load of smoke, not bad smoke but was like the exhaust had cleared it's self of a build up? This was at high revs changing from 2nd to 3rd in the manual part of the box. No loss or performace or mpg.

Any help is greatly appreciated.

 

[television]

I can just put up what is listed.

The rubber rings in the exhaust can do this,,MB say put the car in P and press on the end of the exhaust pipe with you foot to see if the noise changes or goes

 

[dannp112]

Thanks for the info television, will try and let you know the findings.
Is is a big job to fix?

 

[ncooper]

What about something as simple as a loose spark plug or less simple,a slight leak in the exhaust manifold gasket on one cylinder?
Either would produce the symptoms described,I think.

Regards,
Nick.

 

[LYNALL]

Could be the charcoal recirc valve as that makes an almost non stop ticking noise mounted on nearside front wing wing on m210 and wife 203, sound just like a noisy injector.



Lynall

 

[dannp112]

Ok I am lost, exhaust has been checked and it is fine. Have done the test television had suggested and noise still there.
The noise does come in from about 1500 rpm to about 4000rpm so not too sure what it is.
Any one know a good Indi in either West Yorkshire or near Watford way? I am happy to pay the money to get it looked at as it makes a very nice car sound like a bag of bolts

 

[dannp112]

Can someone recommend a good Indy in hertfordshire so I can get this checked out - don't want to take it to Merc

 

[Cole@MBS]

Hertfordshire merx.

Hes a member on here!

 

[Hertfordshire Merx]

I think I have spoken to the person who owns the 430. Was a while ago but I haven't been on here for a bit due to being busy (which I am not complaining about!!)....

If its not sorted out please give me a call, I will be only too pleased to help you.

Phillip