Sound produced by the engine

[Bleakerje]

Greetings, everybody.

Thank you in advance for any thoughts or ideas.

I have just purchased my first Mercedes vehicle and want assistance in discerning an unfamiliar sound emanating from under the hood, a sound that I have not encountered in my previous experiences with other automobile brands. This phenomenon occurs while the car's engine is in a state of idling and manifests as a distinct clicking or ticking sound, like the regular ticking of a clock every second. Should I be worried about this? What is the potential origin? If anybody is interested, I have captured the audio and published it to YouTube for anyone who would want to listen.

 

[Starat]

Possibly an explosive device...

Seems quite ordinary to me

[Finestey]

It seems somewhat louder than my 350d, or maybe the phone recording amplifies the sound.

Was the recording made when the engine was in a cold state?

[Bleakerje]

Thank you for your response. Are you aware of the specific component from which it is originating? I have not had that issue with any of my previous vehicles, which were all equipped with 6-cylinder diesel engines.

[Bleakerje]

Thank you for responding. The engine had a consistent sound regardless of its temperature, as far as I could discern. Indeed, the volume may have been intensified in the video due to the proximity of my phone to the engine. However, the noise is sufficiently enough to be audible even when the car's hood is closed and one is standing behind it.

[Bleakerje]

Does anybody else have any more ideas? I am interested in determining the specific component responsible for producing the noise and understanding the underlying cause.

[AmericaMonster]

Does it occur continuously or sporadically? Both of my E-class vehicles had a similar sound, originating from the region behind the driver's door. Despite having different engines, the sound was consistent across the two vehicles and only occurred sporadically. However, the sound was not as loud, until it was magnified by the phone. I attributed it to DPF-related issues and did not encounter any difficulties. I am also curious to learn what it is, however.

[Cincoon]

Upon hearing the video, the timing chain immediately comes to mind.

[Bleakerje]

I took the vehicle for a trip this morning and listened to it both before and after. When the engine was not warmed up, I did not perceive any sound. However, after returning from a trip of around 30 minutes, I noticed the presence of a clicking noise.

[Bleakerje]

I appreciate your suggestion. Does timing chain noise persist consistently independent of the engine's temperature?

[MundeDas]

To resolve the issue, I recommend taking your vehicle to a reputable shop for a thorough inspection. They will be able to accurately diagnose any potential problems.

Please provide an update on the diagnosis.

[Bleakerje]

After conversing with the garage, they provided me with the assurance that Mercedes-approved vehicles undergo comprehensive inspections prior to being sold. Additionally, they told me that any potential issues would be detected during the diagnostic process. Although I am inclined to trust them, there is still some scepticism. The sound is incongruous to me, but it might be typical for Mercedes vehicles. I was seeking clarification or identification with the assistance of others on this site.

[Jollyno]

This is a typical occurrence for a diesel engine, since they operate at much greater compression levels compared to petrol engines. The popping noise is a result of the injectors forcefully injecting gasoline into the engine.