₦airaland Forum

Good morning
On ML350 2013
The car would rev when engaged the gear to drive but car won’t move.

The first time it happened the mechanic came and discharge some transmission oil and it pick.

Yesterday it happened when I drove to church after service I engaged the gear to drive and car would rev up but won’t move, I had to turn it off and on then engage and lucky for me it now moved.

Please what’ could be the problem and solution.
Expecting solutions. Am in abuja.

RyanAutomotive:
Good afternoon sir,

Thank you for the clear description — that short, loud cracking sound for 1–2 seconds on cold start is a classic symptom that needs a measured, scan-first approach. Below is a full Ryan Automotive Limited diagnostic reply in our standard format so you can post it professionally on Nairaland.

⸻

🔧 Professional Diagnostic Insight

1️⃣ Primary Causes — what most commonly makes that cracking on cold start

• Timing chain / tensioner slack (chain slap):
When the car sits for hours oil drains from the tensioner and guides. On some Mercedes engines the chain can “slap” the guide briefly until oil pressure builds and the tensioner takes up slack — this sounds like a loud cracking/ticking that fades.

• Hydraulic lifters (valve tappets) or VVT actuator delay:
If lifters or hydraulic valve actuators are slow to pressurize (old/contaminated oil or weak lifter), valves can make sharp noises on first crank until lubrication reaches operating pressure.

• Starter engagement / Bendix kick-back:
If the starter’s engagement doesn’t fully retract or the ring gear has damaged teeth the starter can make a harsh mechanical noise that may continue briefly during start. Usually this noise is during cranking rather than after the engine is running.

• Exhaust or backfire/popping on cold start:
Unburnt fuel igniting in the exhaust or a loose heat shield/manifold can make sharp popping/cracking noises for a second on cold start, then stop.

• Accessory / pulley / injection noise (less common):
A failing belt tensioner, pulley, or a sticking injector can cause a transient loud noise that stops as oil/temperature stabilise.

⸻

2️⃣ Symptoms that point to each cause (what to listen for / observe)

• Chain/tensioner: metallic slap or clack from front/top of engine, usually rhythmic or slightly irregular, occurs only on cold start and fades after oil pressure rises. May sound louder on cold mornings.

• Lifters/VVT: sharper ticking around the head that stops after a few seconds of running. Noise often changes with RPM.

• Starter: very loud mechanical clunk or grinding during cranking; if it continues after start, suspect starter not retracting fully.

• Exhaust/backfire: more like pops from the back of the car; accompanied sometimes by rough idle for a few seconds.

⸻

3️⃣ Correct (non-guess) Repair & Diagnostic Steps — scan-first, inspect-second
1. Record the sound — a short phone video from the engine bay during a cold start helps a lot.
2. Check oil level & history — confirm correct grade/viscosity (use Mercedes spec). Very old or wrong-thickness oil causes slow pressurisation. Top-up/change if dirty or low.
3. Full OBD scan (include engine & transmission modules) — look for related codes (timing, camshaft, injector misfire, starter).
4. Cold-start observation — mechanic to watch/feel oil pressure gauge (if fitted) or use a mechanical/diagnostic oil pressure readout to confirm slow build-up.
5. Visual inspection — timing chain cover area (if accessible), valve cover for oil leaks, starter location and ring gear teeth, exhaust manifold and shields.
6. Specific checks:
• Remove and test lifters/inspect cam phasers if indicated.
• Check timing chain tensioner operation and guide wear.
• Starter bench-test and inspect ring gear.
7. When confirmed: replace the failed component(s) — tensioner/guides, lifters, starter, or repair exhaust — rather than swapping random parts. Follow Mercedes recommended parts and torques.

⸻

⚙️ Ryan Automotive Workshop Professional Take

We see this exact cold-start cracking most often on Mercedes engines where oil drains overnight and the hydraulic tensioners or lifters need a pressure moment to stabilise. In our experience:
• 40–60% of such cases are timing chain tensioner / guide related (especially on higher-mileage cars).
• 20–30% are oil-related (wrong/old oil or low level) or hydraulic lifter issues.
• Starter and exhaust causes make up the remainder.

We always recommend scan first + listen on a cold start — targeted parts replacement after diagnosis gives the best value and prevents repeat visits.

⸻

🧩 Professional Summary & Next Steps

Short-term:
✅ Don’t ignore it — continued chain slap or failed lifters will cause faster wear or engine damage.
✅ Check oil level and top up with the correct Mercedes-spec oil immediately. Try a cold start after that and record the sound.

If it persists:
➡️ Bring the car for a cold-start inspection and full diagnostic at Ryan Automotive Limited. Please bring the car cold (parked for several hours) so we can reproduce the noise. We will:
• Run OBD and pressure checks
• Observe a cold start and record the sound professionally
• Inspect timing / valvetrain / starter and advise an exact repair plan with cost

When you post next time on Nairaland, please include: Brand (Mercedes-Benz), full model name (e.g., E200, C300), year, engine size/code (e.g., M272, OM642), mileage, and any recent oil/maintenance history. That lets us give an even more accurate first-response.

⸻

Ryan Automotive Limited
Precision. Transparency. Excellence.
Professional Auto Diagnostics • Engine & Transmission Experts • Genuine Parts & Cooling Division
Lagos, Nigeria
Contact via profile/signature
Ryan Automotive Workshop Division

Thank you for this comprehensive guide towards finding the problem. I am in abuja. Would have brought the car to you if you were in abuja or can you refer me to a company in abuja you feel is competent in handling this issue

Good evening here

Please who has had this problem and a solution

When I start my Benz in the morning it makes this loud cracking sound for max 2 seconds and the engine goes to quiet running. Happens when car is parked for some hours a day and when you start it that loud cracking noise comes up and fades. Please what could be the problem and solution. Thank you

Thank you

But am in Abuja

RyanAutomotive:
From your description, it sounds like your 2010 Mercedes E350 is experiencing rapid oil level drop without visible leaks. Since you drive the car infrequently, the most common causes include:
1. Internal engine consumption – Worn piston rings, valve seals, or cylinder walls can allow oil to burn internally, which doesn’t leave external leaks. This aligns with your mechanic’s observation that the engine may be “weak.”
2. Oil quality and grade – Using the wrong oil type or extended intervals between oil changes can accelerate internal wear and consumption.
3. PCV (Positive Crankcase Ventilation) system – A clogged or malfunctioning PCV valve can cause excessive oil consumption or pressure issues.

Next steps we recommend:
• Perform a compression and leak-down test to assess the internal condition of the engine.
• Inspect the PCV system for proper operation.
• Continue monitoring oil levels, but if internal wear is severe, a replacement or rebuild of the engine may be the long-term solution.

At Ryan Automotive Limited, we offer engine diagnostics, compression testing, and professional advice to help determine whether a repair, rebuild, or replacement is necessary.

Ryan Automotive Limited
Precision. Transparency. Excellence.

📍 Lagos, Nigeria
📞 +234 911 306 9560
📧 ryanautomotivelimited@gmail.com

We can help you identify the exact cause and recommend the most reliable solution for your E350.

Good morning
My E350 2010 the Engine Oil Keeps Showing Oil Low Refile At next fuel - the oil keeps shutting …. What could be the cause and there is no leakage anywhere.
I have been topping up the oil whenever that shows. My mechanic says the engine is weak already that we should replace the engine. Please what could be the problem. This is a car I don’t drive often

Thanks for this educative post

2.2L Toyota Camry 2000

Please the brake of my car is soft

What could be the problem.

I felt its should be hard and sharp

But now it’s soft but when I want to brake down
I have to pump like twice for it to pick

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Thank you all

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