Tonygw
MB Enthusiast
Yeah, I was hoping to do lots of miles in it so hope to get it sorted soon. I'll def keep you posted once I know more cheers
C250 CDI 2012 mettalic rattle at cold start
- Thread starter Tonygw
- Start date
Marcbennett
New Member
Brilliant, cheers mate
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Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
SteveK9
New Member
Out of interest I found this thread searching for Timing Chain as the one on my 2012 E250 is rattling for a few seconds on start up, it was replaced (allegedly) about 100,000 miles ago so wouldn't have expected problems so soon as normally expect well in excess of 250,000 miles out of a chain (never had a problem before) the cars not yet done 300,000 miles and always been serviced on time with right oils. Anyone know what sort of a job a chain and tensioner is for DIY?
All I know its behind the engine and thus a PITA job... youtube has few videos
previously someone claimed tesnioner is improved, true yes but chain is still same single row POS... funny why mercedes is doing same error continuosly; someone in their financial department persuade their engineer department 'to save' and choose 'slighly lighter chain' (ok I admit OM642 and OM628 HAS problem with chain stretch too... mainly because hoge initial length of chain)
previously someone claimed tesnioner is improved, true yes but chain is still same single row POS... funny why mercedes is doing same error continuosly; someone in their financial department persuade their engineer department 'to save' and choose 'slighly lighter chain' (ok I admit OM642 and OM628 HAS problem with chain stretch too... mainly because hoge initial length of chain)
Tonygw
MB Enthusiast
I havent actually resolved my issue as the independent specialist in Loughborough have had the car a couple of times. But are reluctant to do any work on it as they havent been able to replicate the noise.
It is intermittent it seems on mine but I am beginning to think it might be a noisy lifter rather than the chain. A slapping chain seems to be a louder clack clack noise and mine is a higher pitched tap tap as if I was tapping a screw driver on a heat shield kind of noise. But not on every start and I cannot put any kind of pattern to when it will or wont do it.
But anyway... The MB specialist I use said to do the chains they had to buy a special tools so its not an easy DIY job. Basically its injectors out, rocker cover off. and then split the chain, attached new chain a rotate engine to feed new chain around sprockets then reverse of the above.
I am like you in that I would expect a chain to last 200K plus. I have read a lot of threads including this one stating a new tensioner can sort out these rattle issues. I was quoted £230 at the MB specialist to do it which seems a good price.
But he didnt seem to think it would make a huge difference? I really dont know. Looking at the tensioners, they are on a ratchet so should keep the right tension even when the oil pressure drops. Perhaps these wear out??
I dont know where to go from here... Weather I should persure getting some work carried out or not, since the garage havent been able to hear the noise on mine.. cars eh!
It is intermittent it seems on mine but I am beginning to think it might be a noisy lifter rather than the chain. A slapping chain seems to be a louder clack clack noise and mine is a higher pitched tap tap as if I was tapping a screw driver on a heat shield kind of noise. But not on every start and I cannot put any kind of pattern to when it will or wont do it.
But anyway... The MB specialist I use said to do the chains they had to buy a special tools so its not an easy DIY job. Basically its injectors out, rocker cover off. and then split the chain, attached new chain a rotate engine to feed new chain around sprockets then reverse of the above.
I am like you in that I would expect a chain to last 200K plus. I have read a lot of threads including this one stating a new tensioner can sort out these rattle issues. I was quoted £230 at the MB specialist to do it which seems a good price.
But he didnt seem to think it would make a huge difference? I really dont know. Looking at the tensioners, they are on a ratchet so should keep the right tension even when the oil pressure drops. Perhaps these wear out??
I dont know where to go from here... Weather I should persure getting some work carried out or not, since the garage havent been able to hear the noise on mine.. cars eh!
SteveK9
New Member
I'm tempted to try some Lucas additive and fresh oil even though it's only done about 3000 miles since last service, the problem came on very quickly so I'm wondering if there has been some sort of failure in the lubrication system as the noise stops within a few seconds on startup but is there if it's been off for more than about 5 minutes. If it works, great, if not it maybe back to a specialist but not the one who did the chain last time as they charged quite a bit. I am 'lucky' in that there are 2 1/2 specialists near me, one definitely VERY good (MB send their problems to him lol) but he's not massively cheaper than main dealer one who seems good and one about whom I have doubts, probably for no other reason than they quoted and then charged me over £400 extra for a job that should have been an easy fixed price thing (new valve body and contact plate in gearbox) and also did the chain before that. It only went to them because I couldn't program the new one in and I've done the job before on the old 5 speed boxes myself.
I shall investigate access, and prices, if it looks like a possible DIY then as they say nothing ventured.... If there's anyone local who's done it I'd really appreciate some assistance but either way it may be a great learning curve. The alternative if we are looking at silly prices would be a trip to Germany and a Reconditioned engine, you can get them there fitted with warranty for under £2000 - plus holiday costs of course..
I shall investigate access, and prices, if it looks like a possible DIY then as they say nothing ventured.... If there's anyone local who's done it I'd really appreciate some assistance but either way it may be a great learning curve. The alternative if we are looking at silly prices would be a trip to Germany and a Reconditioned engine, you can get them there fitted with warranty for under £2000 - plus holiday costs of course..
SteveK9
New Member
Just as an aside, my previous two E classes both did over 500,000 miles and neither had any chain or other engine issues other than the odd injector being spat out.
Tonygw
MB Enthusiast
I was quote £600-£700 for a chain and tensioner replacement at the specialist in Loughborough, (google them) But I'm many miles away from you so probably not much use (closer than Germany though). is the sound a loud clacking for 2-3 seconds from the rear of the engine?
Maybe just a tensioner may sort it? If not you can change the chain afertwards and leave the new tensioner insitu.. That was going to be my course of action.. but still undecided what to do as mine is so intermittenet.
Maybe just a tensioner may sort it? If not you can change the chain afertwards and leave the new tensioner insitu.. That was going to be my course of action.. but still undecided what to do as mine is so intermittenet.
SteveK9
New Member
Many thanks Tony, yes exactly that, louder but same noise but same as I used to get on the old XK Jag engine back in the 60s when the tensioner gave up. This is the first of the new engines I've had and so far not impressed, but maybe just my bad luck, had hoped the engineers were back in control after the Chrysler era of unchangeable (well without a massive press) ball joints and price driven assembly and components but maybe these engines are a legacy?
Tonygw
MB Enthusiast
Hi Guys sorry its been a while but here my latest update.
So The car has done 90K and as it turns out it was indeed the timing chain.
The reason it was intermittent was because it has stretched only in a few places, so depending on where the engine was stopped as to wether it made the rattle or not, but it was getting worse.
The mechanic rotated the engine and checked the slack on the chain at each link over a full rotation and found this to be the case.
So new chain and tensioner fitted. Its been nearly two weeks since the work was done and so far so good. I havent heard the rattle.
In fact the engine sounds much nicer. And the best thing was it was very reasonably in price given the amount of work to replace it.
I can HIGHLY recommend MB Automotive in Loughborough, Leics (merc specialists). They carried out the work and the mechanic was EXTREMLEY hepful and honest and fitted me in even though they were stacked out with work.
So The car has done 90K and as it turns out it was indeed the timing chain.
The reason it was intermittent was because it has stretched only in a few places, so depending on where the engine was stopped as to wether it made the rattle or not, but it was getting worse.
The mechanic rotated the engine and checked the slack on the chain at each link over a full rotation and found this to be the case.
So new chain and tensioner fitted. Its been nearly two weeks since the work was done and so far so good. I havent heard the rattle.
In fact the engine sounds much nicer. And the best thing was it was very reasonably in price given the amount of work to replace it.
I can HIGHLY recommend MB Automotive in Loughborough, Leics (merc specialists). They carried out the work and the mechanic was EXTREMLEY hepful and honest and fitted me in even though they were stacked out with work.
GeorgeR
Active Member
Hello
Did they need to take the engine out in order to change the tensioner?
Also did they recommend to change the guide rails as well?
I have the same headache with the noise. See my dilemmas here >>>>
Perhaps you can comment.
Tonygw
MB Enthusiast
Hi there , no the engine stayed in. No need to do the guide rails just the chain and tensioner. Took them about a day. Said it wasn't to bad to do, the do it from the top of the engine. Covers off injectors out rocker cover off and then get to work on the chain. Cost me a little over £700 all in and its much quieter now. Garage said he had done a few now. Hope you sort it
