Rattle at 1500 RPM

Paul Slater · Nov 15, 2013

I have a slight grating noise/rattle at 1500 RPM.

MB main dealer says needs Camshaft adjuster sprocket & Solenoid & quoted £1400

Spoke to MB Independent specialist who says if it was his car he wouldn't bother will it do any damage if I leave it?

Could this affect the Cam chain & cause failure?

Love the car but want it right.

Bimmel · Nov 25, 2013

The noise at that RPM (mine was ~1400) does sound like the camshaft timing adjuster magnet. I had mine replaced right after I bought the car (40,000 miles) on Mercedes Good Will Assistance (free) at Mercedes of Westmont (Illinois) and it was replaced again by the dealer under a recall at ~75,000 miles. The second time I don't remember any flutter noise, the dealer just did it at the time of service because of the service bulletin/recall.

I don't know if driving it like that could hurt your car and since I never paid I don't know if your quote is competitive. It's very common for the SLK230 so you should find lots of threads on it. Search for flutter or rattle or camshaft timing magnet.

tonyee · Dec 10, 2013

Paul Slater said:
I have a slight grating noise/rattle at 1500 RPM.

MB main dealer says needs Camshaft adjuster sprocket & Solenoid & quoted £1400

Spoke to MB Independent specialist who says if it was his car he wouldn't bother will it do any damage if I leave it?

Could this affect the Cam chain & cause failure?

Love the car but want it right.

Could also be worth looking at the clutch on the turbocharger. Best way of testing this it to see if the noise starts when the clutch cuts in which is around 1500 RPM. Let me know if you need any help with this as I an in the process of dismantling mine.

dandywarhol · Dec 21, 2013

tonyee said:
Could also be worth looking at the clutch on the turbocharger. Best way of testing this it to see if the noise starts when the clutch cuts in which is around 1500 RPM. Let me know if you need any help with this as I an in the process of dismantling mine.

Ermmmm - I'd be getting a bit more genned up on the mechanics of it if you're dismantling the turbocharger!

tonyee · Dec 24, 2013

Hi have removed my turbo charger and it seems ok apart from the oil that has leaked thought due to the head gasket that had failed. lots of cleaning before I can reassemble everything, If your TC is working I wouldn't worry, mine makes a noise when above 1500rpm but to renew the 'clutch' on this isn't cheap so as long as you still have performance I wouldn't bother.

dandywarhol · Dec 24, 2013

It's a supercharger - a turbocharger is exhaust gas driven.
If the supercharger is noisy it may be the clutch but if its only noisy when engaged, its more likely to be a bearing in the supercharger.

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Subby_ · Dec 24, 2013

from memory the cam adjuster magnet kicks in like 4000rpm? it makes no noise on or off - it shouldnt anyway

if it is the s/c clutch genetly rev the car to about 2000-2200rpm in N or P and you will hear it engage or get someone to watch it in the engine bay.

if it IS making noise then it probably needs adjustment. i did this to mine few days ago. and yeah can be done whilst s/c is on the car.

1) undo the 8mm bolt - yes this can be tricky as the clutch will spin while doing so but if you have strong hands you can grip and and crack it free

2) shove a small allen key into the bolt hole

3) slowly slide it out whilst the allen key is in the hole - this is important otherwise the small washers will fall out. then gently slide it all back.

4) here you can add or remove shims to get to the factory spec of the air gap. air gap is 0.25mm - 0.40mm. to check the gap get a feeler gauge and measure it at all 3 rivents on the pulley. you are aiming for the lower limit of around 0.25mm. note you wont get all 3 perfect so dont stress.

5) while your there check the 3 rivets on the clutch face sometimes they get loose. this is what usually makes the noise if you get a hammer and tap the rivets again (dont do this on car) take the clutch face off and do it on a table.

6) if its still anoying you, you can remove the washers and tighten the bolt back up - this will permantly engage the clutch as a quick fix so its always on. ive done this before and there is no benifit from a performance point of view but if you want to save about $700 for a new clutch it might be worthwhile.

7) when putting that little 8mm bolt back on clean it and apply loctite 243 (blue). so it doesnt vibrate loose (if you dont it WILL come loose)... it sets in about 15min and fully cures 24hrs.

tonyee · Dec 25, 2013

Hi Super charger is now off the car. 8mm bolt on shaft is tight so don't wont to force but if you can tell me a simple cure to the clutch problem I would appreciate it.

thanks

Rattle at 1500 RPM

Paul Slater

Bimmel

tonyee

dandywarhol

tonyee

dandywarhol

Subby_

tonyee

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