Hi Owen,
Many thanks for your reply. I have just heard about the oil leak that can come from the cam magnet and the fix that is needed - I intend to get this sorted in the next couple of weeks (fingers crossed the oil hasn't made it too far).

With regards the rather annoying rattle - did you ever find out if disconnecting the magnet could damage anything else in the engine (other than reducing the fuel efficiency). Am I to assume you decided to reconnect it in the end and just put up with the rattle now? My wife is so annoyed with the rattle (it is really noticable on her car) that she is starting to want to get rid of the car! I'm therefore rather desperate to find a solution to stop it rather than have the expense of getting rid of the car and finding her something else.

Thanks, John.

It is the electrically operated variable timing system that gives the "rattle". We dis-connected the electrical connection to the cam magnet and the noise stopped. We left it unplugged for several weeks but the MPG went from about 28 MPG to 23MPG! The Cam magnet has a habit of leaking oil from the engine into the wiring that operates it. This oil can spread to the whole of the engine wiring loom with disastrous results! We had to replace the O.2 & MAF sensors which are not cheap. Mercedes knew of this problem and supply a "oil blocker" at a cost of about £20, but they don't advertise the fact!! Have a look where the Cam magnet is attached to the engine, just under the front plastic cover and if you see an additional length of cable connected between the magnet socket and the original cable plug then you HAVE it, if not then get one quick and hope that you have caught it in time. Cheers Owen.

Hi,

I stumbled upon on old message you posted back in April 2009, regarding a rattling noise at low revs (1500-2000) on your Mercedes 2003 SLK200K. It seems you managed to diagnose that it was the cam adjuster/magnet that was making the noise. You also mentioned that you pulled the plug on the magnet and the noise stopped - did you ever find out whether any other damage could be done by disconnecting the magnet?

I have recently purchased a 2003 SLK200K for my wife and hers is making the exact same noise. We have also been told by Mercedes that this noise is 'normal', but it is driving my wife mad to the point of her wanting to get rid of the car. I am therefore desperately trying to find some sort of solution to stopping the noise.

Any help you could give would be very much appreciated.

Regards,

John