Ticking Noise 1995 4.2L is it oiler tubes?

[8SidedPolygon]

When I started my 95' e420 up today I noticed this ticking noise, it wasn't there last time I started it which was like 2 months ago. I assume it's probably oiler tube. I was moving it out of the garage for a bit to put summer tires on my brother's car and didn't have time to really take a look at it. Some of the other videos I've seen of what the tick sounds like didn't really sound the same, so I wanted to verify that this is what it sounds like.
View attachment 1000008551.mp4

 

[R129 UK]

It could be an oiler tube but it could also be a collapsed lifter albeit less likely - see below.

If you aren’t sure if your engine has metal oiler tubes or not you can see through the oil filler cap without being intrusive. Plastic tubes are susceptible to failure when the end caps blow out.

The only way to tell for sure is to remove the valve covers and check.

I would run the engine for an extended period first to give the oil enough chance to fully warm up as this might fix a collapsed lifter.

If you do remove the valve covers, make sure you use genuine MB gaskets etc.

 

[gsxr]

Yep, exactly what a lifter tick sounds like. And yes, it's very likely a popped oil tube. The change from metal to plastic occurred around 1992. By mid/late 1993 USA model year, everything came with plastic oil tubes. Your 1995 will have plastic tubes.

You can replace only the 1 single tube with a new plastic one, but it's only a matter of time before another one pops. Best to replace all 16 with metal. Either find a set of used OE metal tubes, or shell out for the Rauch & Spiegel aftermarket anodized tubes (~$450/set).

You'll also need new valve cover gaskets if they aren't recent (OE only). The gasket kits are NLA and there are some bad supercessions, click here for details on what part numbers to buy. You also need new copper washers for the valve cover bolts. If you've never replaced the PCV hoses now is the time to do it. Those are supposed to be soft rubber, not hard plastic. OE only there also, ~$200/set. And, inspect the timing chain rails while the covers are off.

 

[8SidedPolygon]

Yep, exactly what a lifter tick sounds like. And yes, it's very likely a popped oil tube. The change from metal to plastic occurred around 1992. By mid/late 1993 USA model year, everything came with plastic oil tubes. Your 1995 will have plastic tubes.

You can replace only the 1 single tube with a new plastic one, but it's only a matter of time before another one pops. Best to replace all 16 with metal. Either find a set of used OE metal tubes, or shell out for the Rauch & Spiegel aftermarket anodized tubes (~$450/set).

You'll also need new valve cover gaskets if they aren't recent (OE only). The gasket kits are NLA and there are some bad supercessions, click here for details on what part numbers to buy. You also need new copper washers for the valve cover bolts. If you've never replaced the PCV hoses now is the time to do it. Those are supposed to be soft rubber, not hard plastic. OE only there also, ~$200/set. And, inspect the timing chain rails while the covers are off.

Thanks for the info, I'll probably buy everything, and just do driver side half for now as that's where the tick is. I'll do the other side whenever one of those tubes pops.

 

[R129 UK]

Thanks for the info, I'll probably buy everything, and just do driver side half for now as that's where the tick is. I'll do the other side whenever one of those tubes pops.

I would still run the car up to temperature to pump up a potentially drained lifter just in case.

I don’t see why leaving a car for 2 months would cause an oiler tube to fail.

 

[gsxr]

I would still run the car up to temperature to pump up a potentially drained lifter just in case.

I don’t see why leaving a car for 2 months would cause an oiler tube to fail.

Yes! If this started out of the blue after being parked for a few months, drive it normally and see if the noise goes away at full operating temp. You can't just idle the engine up to temp, the oil temp must also be up to normal, which requires driving under load for at least 15-20 mins.