M271 Leaking Cam Sensors

[dmatre]

Originally Posted by LILBENZ230 I guess you're right, I just wonder if I'm going to run into an issue getting them to fix it. I've had Hondas and Acuras most recently and the service experiences have left me with an extreme distrust of dealerships. I just don't want to be given a hard time. They may try to give you a hard time, but I really don't think so. They know of this issue, they know the consequences. If you are still under warranty, then I would remain in the Service Advisor's office until they agree to repair the leaking sensor, and to install the pigtails as per the service bulletin. The alternative (taking the easy way out, and accepting "no" for an answer) is to pony up about $2k of your money, as I had to (occurred out of warranty). So, it all comes down to how much is your time worth? $2 grand an hour? Get the part numbers and have all of your ducks in a row. They MAY try to see if you are one of the "sheep", or if you really know what the situation is; but considering how important their CSI numbers are, and considering that it is under warranty (no money out of dealer's pockets), I think it'll be a non-issue. Good luck!!!

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[MB001]

Originally Posted by razorfish228

OK guys, I got all the parts today and was able to replace the pigtails with ease but I was not able to remove the CAM sensors to replace because I don't have the right tool. I bought a set of E sockets E8, E10, E12, etc.. These are the reverse Torx set but I tried the E8 and it doesn't fit. I can almost swear that an E9 would probably fit and of course the E10 was used to remove the plastic cover which is bigger.

What size are you guys using or did you have to buy this at MB or something?

Thanks..

I double checked and my car took an E8. Your car is a couple years newer, so it may be a different size??

[Untouchable08]

Dropped one of the bolts( for cam sensor) in the engine bay, anyone know what the part number is? I can't find the bolt anywhere, even took off the bottom but nothing.

[MB001]

The part # is on page 2

[dead_eye]

Is this what the leaking cams look like? Do they usually leak from the center or the sides with the gasket between the block and the cover piece? Thanks.

[dead_eye]

Originally Posted by dead_eye

Is this what the leaking cams look like? Do they usually leak from the center or the sides with the gasket between the block and the cover piece? Thanks.

http://proseal.supergluecorp.com/rtvsiliconegasket.html

I'd just like to add this is after I had a mechanic replace the CAM sensors. However, it appears that they're leaking worse than before. I'm thinking RTV might solve this problem. Does the circular middle piece rotate?

[slammer111]

Dead_eye, you're holding the islolation wire, meaning your car has been "fixed". I'd still keep an eye on the connections though. Disconnect the wires and run a rag over the connecting ends once in a while and see if there's any more oil weeping out.

No idea if the piece rotates. Start your car with the cover off and let us know

[dead_eye]

Originally Posted by slammer111

Dead_eye, you're holding the islolation wire, meaning your car has been "fixed". I'd still keep an eye on the connections though. Disconnect the wires and run a rag over the connecting ends once in a while and see if there's any more oil weeping out.

No idea if the piece rotates. Start your car with the cover off and let us know

Well, if you take a look at the pic, there's oil coming out of the middle part. This much oil wasn't coming out before the CAM sensors were replaced. An engine shouldn't have a leak like this.

[slammer111]

Wow, there's oil dripping out the middle. Yeah, I'd call my SA ASAP.

[amanonfire]

Originally Posted by dead_eye

Is this what the leaking cams look like? Do they usually leak from the center or the sides with the gasket between the block and the cover piece? Thanks.

Whomever replaced those cam sensors forgot to install the centre plug. Its not included with the cam sensor (for whatever stupid reason) and the parts department will not tell you its required.

I changed my own cam sensors and didn't realize I needed this plug until 1L of oil had dripped out the front.

[Mtu]

Guys,

I was at a dealership this afternoon looking for this pigtail. What transpired is beyond anyone's imagination. I started with a parts guy asking him about the pigtail cables. After giving the guy my VIN, he said my car does NOT have that problem (fail cam sensors). I questioned him why is he saying so, while a bunch of owners (didn't mention it was members of forum) have suffered this problem. The parts guy went to say that the E class has a mojor issue with that, and some of the w203, but not mine. He brought out a magnet (said aka ccam sensor) for the E class and showed me where the failing occurs. I wasn't satified with his answer, so I went to SA and demanded to see the shop/bay foreman. The foreman came out and was very knowledgeable about the situation than the SA, but also told me that the problem is only to engines with the RED cover. He went ahead to say that the pigtail will NOT fit my car since the connector is different from the other engines (with the issue). I told him all I was trying to do was a prevantive measure, but he said I can buy it but wont fit, so why throw the money away.
I'm at 50k miles, and checked them this afternoon and there was no leaks.
So, here I am, asking the crowd , if what I was told is true? My engine is 744, don't know if this helps or not.

[LILBENZ230]

Originally Posted by Mtu

Guys,

I was at a dealership this afternoon looking for this pigtail. What transpired is beyond anyone's imagination. I started with a parts guy asking him about the pigtail cables. After giving the guy my VIN, he said my car does NOT have that problem (fail cam sensors). I questioned him why is he saying so, while a bunch of owners (didn't mention it was members of forum) have suffered this problem. The parts guy went to say that the E class has a mojor issue with that, and some of the w203, but not mine. He brought out a magnet (said aka ccam sensor) for the E class and showed me where the failing occurs. I wasn't satified with his answer, so I went to SA and demanded to see the shop/bay foreman. The foreman came out and was very knowledgeable about the situation than the SA, but also told me that the problem is only to engines with the RED cover. He went ahead to say that the pigtail will NOT fit my car since the connector is different from the other engines (with the issue). I told him all I was trying to do was a prevantive measure, but he said I can buy it but wont fit, so why throw the money away.
I'm at 50k miles, and checked them this afternoon and there was no leaks.
So, here I am, asking the crowd , if what I was told is true? My engine is 744, don't know if this helps or not.

You gotta love clueless dealership people! When I asked my SA about this, she said "Do you have the four-cylinder?" and when I said "Yes" she said "Oh that issue only affects the V6 so you're fine." I am absolutely certain that if I had said first that I had the V6 she would have said "Oh that only affects the four-cylinder".

If you have an 04 C230 then you have the M271 and the pigtails WILL fit. Mine arrived today from getmercedesparts.com. It is listed as an adapter cable, and they are $37.50 plus shipping.

[govertime]

Originally Posted by amanonfire

Whomever replaced those cam sensors forgot to install the centre plug. Its not included with the cam sensor (for whatever stupid reason) and the parts department will not tell you its required.

I changed my own cam sensors and didn't realize I needed this plug until 1L of oil had dripped out the front.

The Dumbasses at R&H Motorcars of Hunt Valley MD screwed this up on my car last year.

[deltadude388]

Bit the bullet, the cam sensors leaked, I wasn't aware of it, got all the way down to the O2 sensors. Long and short of it, 2K to fix the darn thing, engine harness change out and whatever related crap along with it. Will pick up car in the PM. My first major expense after 97K miles on the car, also having the AT flushed for another 400bucks. At least they threw in a free MB loaner, still sucks for 2K

[guanabara]

Originally Posted by slammer111

Okay, so here's a pic of my engine with the 2 covers off. Pic 1 shows the front of the engine. I assume the ECU plug cover is the one that is circled in red (you need to pull a handle to unlatch it, and there is a large "F" on top) and the cam sensors are the 2 things with blue/purple arrows. If this is incorrect, someone please correct me.

The ECU plug (ie other end of the cable) was perfectly clean, just as the SA said. However, it looks like nothing was added to the wiring itself. (See pic 2)

My bill said this:
2 271-051-01-77 Magnet
2 002-997-24-90 Cable Tie
2 271-051-00-32 Cover

I looked at the engine picture you attached and it seems that you are missing 2 covers for the engine. One covers the spark plugs/magnets (about $150 at dealer). The other covers the wires for the CAM "sensors" about $40.
I would get at least the one for the spark plugs to avoid water problems. The one for the CAM sesnor is probably better off given the leak history. If it fails again you should see the oil on the plugs easier.

[slammer111]

Originally Posted by guanabara

I looked at the engine picture you attached and it seems that you are missing 2 covers for the engine. One covers the spark plugs/magnets (about $150 at dealer). The other covers the wires for the CAM "sensors" about $40.
I would get at least the one for the spark plugs to avoid water problems. The one for the CAM sesnor is probably better off given the leak history. If it fails again you should see the oil on the plugs easier.

You're talking about one cover with the silver "Mercedes-Benz" stripe, and the other with the 2 rubber plugs right? If that's the case, I just removed them both to take a pic.

[phucmang]

hey guys i just looked at my cam sensors and it looks like i have a oil leak there... what part should i call and ask for??

i replaced the o2 sensor recently and the plug looked like it was drenched in oil... i think this could of been the reason why the o2 sensor failed? shold i clean the oil down there?

does the covor jus pop off cuz i couldnt pop it off?

[slammer111]

^ Oh wow, this thread is alive.

My post #2 has the parts (cam sensor cover) needed. Farther down the thread, I posted the parts needed for the isolation wires.

Yes, this is probably why your O2 sensor failed. You're probably looking at replacement. There's a DIY thread in the W203 stickies. And yes, cleaning the oil would be a good idea after you replace the parts.

The cover where the cam sensors are (ie the small one at the front of the engine) pulls right off. It's held in place by these 2 stoppers (one on L and R sides), much like a cork in a bottle of wine. You will have to pull pretty hard, but they do pop out.

[phucmang]

got the wires and installed today.. didnt get the cam sensor or whatever it is though... is it leaking from the connectors or the metal to metal part? should i get the cam thingy replaced or is it fine the way it is?

[slammer111]

^ The cam sensors leak out the centre where the hole is. I would also check your connectors too - just run a rag over the ends and see if there's any oil.

You drive a 2005 - no idea if they've fixed the issue as of the time they built your engine. For peace of mind, just swap out both cam sensors.

[phucmang]

i made sure the connectors were clean of oil.. there was quite a bit on it.. going to have to jack the car up sometime soon and clean the o2 sensor connectors and where ever the oiled dripped..

i will have to pick up the cam sensor covor tingy.. is it just 1 peice? or do i need the magnet to?
2 271-051-01-77 Magnet
2 271-051-00-32 Cover

[slammer111]

Couldn't tell ya as mine was done under warranty, but if in doubt, replace everything. The magnets are probably covered with oily goop at this point.

[psionic001]

Hi,

I have a W203 2001 C200 Kompressor Wagon. I think it has the M111 motor.

my camshaft solenoid makes a horrible rattling sound when I come on and off the throttle. Just when there is no load on the engine.

I questioned the local dealership about the 2009100001 campaign, and they said that my issues were not covered under this campaign, but I should come in and get a quote for the repair.

Anyone else heard this noise? Sounds like the sensor is faulty to me...

Thanks

[LILBENZ230]

I've only ever heard of that really bad rattle as being present on cold starts. And I was told it was not the cam magnets that leak oil, but other ones on the rear of the engine. Not sure if that was true or not but my car had the fix under warranty.

[psionic001]

Yes, On a cold start you get the exhaust noise until it's warmed up.

The noise I hear is very loud when the bonnet is open and is coming from inside the camshaft area. I think the solenoid may be broken.

Originally Posted by LILBENZ230

I've only ever heard of that really bad rattle as being present on cold starts. And I was told it was not the cam magnets that leak oil, but other ones on the rear of the engine. Not sure if that was true or not but my car had the fix under warranty.