Clapping sound in the engine

DJOLR

MEMBER
1998 MERCEDES BENZ CLK230
2.0L
4 CYL
2WD
MANUAL
150,000 MILES

Hi, so recently I started hearing this clapping/clicking noise under the hood.
Sounds like an oil when its deep frying or like a snapped belt clapping something in between those two sounds.
Shows no temperature rising and no check engine light. I was in a lot of start stop traffic jam that day before the noise started. I was near my house when I heard it so I didn't drive a lot like that. Sorry for bad English.

5 Replies

KEN L

MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
48,363 POSTS

No problem. it sounds like the serpentine belt needs replacement. To be sure can you please shoot a quick video with your phone so we can hear the noise? that would be great. You can upload it here with your response. Here is a guide to walk you through the belt replacement with diagrams below to show you how on your car:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/replace-serpentine-belt

Check out the diagrams (below). Please let us know what you find. We are interested to see what it is.

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Saturday, October 19th, 2019 AT 3:45 PM

DJOLR

MEMBER
3 POSTS

Yeah, belt looks pretty rough and thank you for the instructions. But I think this is something else. I only hear it when car is going like over 35 km/h here is the video. PS. Someone suggested me that it is something with driveshaft(cardan).

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Saturday, October 19th, 2019 AT 3:54 PM

KEN L

MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
48,363 POSTS

Thanks for the video. That sounds like a drive line or suspension problem, when the car is at a stop in neutral rev the engine is the noise still there or only when driving?

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Sunday, October 20th, 2019 AT 11:21 AM

DJOLR

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3 POSTS

Only when driving over around 20 mph.

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Sunday, October 20th, 2019 AT 11:25 AM

KEN L

MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
48,363 POSTS

So it it not an engine problem. Can you tell if the noise is coming from the front mid ship or rear of the car? Try to get a video of the noise nearest the source. Then I can tell whats going on.