W210 E320CDI Engine clicking when hot

[DaveTheDrummer]

Hi Guys,

Still thoroughly enjoying my E320CDI Avantgarde even though it's cost me a bomb in servicing recently.
I had the front anti-roll bar drop links replaced as part of the last service to get rid of that low speed ticking noise that had been driving me bonkers. Thank you to those who posted about it.

Unfortunately that seemed to have been masking another noise that I'm a bit more worried about.
Start with a cold engine no worries. Everything is silent and wonderful. No noises, no clicking/ticking etc...
By the time the engine has warmed up I get a ticking/clicking noise under load from the engine at lowish engine speeds.
You can't hear it when stationery at idle but with a bit of a press on the throttle the noise turns up. More throttle to rev the engine to a couple of thousand and the noise gets louder and then goes away.
It's not diesel rattle or anything normal.
You can hear it very clearly when driving along my road at about 10-15-20 mph with the window down and on part throttle.

Does anyone have any idea what this could be ?

 

[renault12ts]

There is a rubber grommet at the end of the steering shaft where it passes through the firewall. These split and allow this noise to enter the cabin.

Check it, if it's split replace it. If it's not split then pack it (it's conical in shape) lightly with fibreglass insulation material. This will transform your car. The noise is normal.

 

[Norse]

I would guess a leaking injector seal is under development. About the same as I had on my 210. Got worse after a year, and eventually had to do all the seals within a year.

 

[DaveTheDrummer]

Renault12ts :
The noise isn't normal and you can't hear it in the cabin at all.
Only outside or when you have the window down at low speeds or you are stationery in neutral and revving the engine a little.

Norse :
An injector seal ?
I can't work out how that would cause a noise but I'll check it out.

Is it not possible that it may be something to do with the timing chain or the tensioner ?
You can't hear the noise at all under any circumstances until the engine is warm/hot. Then it appears.
That makes me think it's something to do with the oil thinning out with the heat.
I don't know what components react to oil pressure on this engine however.

 

[janjuhab]

Hi had the same issue. Changed the timing belt tensioner and all is much quieter now.

 

[panason1c]

As norse suggests, could be a failed injector seal, you will get a 'chuffing'/'ticking' sound when these (commonly) fail due to the compression in the cylinder blowing past the copper injector seal and usually more noticable on a warm engine.

 

[Damogsta]

15 cans of Stella is the cure. . . . . ?

 

[DaveTheDrummer]

Solved.

Finally got this one sorted.
Well sorted about 9 months ago anyway.
It was, as Norse and panason1c suggested, the injectors.
One or two were leaking a little and causing the noise. I really had no idea that could possibly have been a probable cause.
But there you go, I was about as wrong on that point as it's possible to be.
Anyway, I had them replaced and it's all tickety-boo.

Thanks guys.