C200 Comp

[John44]

Hi

I recently have been having trouble with the above car which is 4 years old 46,000 miles,

Initially a warning light went on on the dash. A memory read out indicated that a new CO Sensor was needed it was fitted with Gear box switch oil seals, within a day the light was back on, a further computer reading indicated that their was oil in wiring loom and the camshaft switch was leaking.

New Camshaft Magnet , loom and seals were fitted. And I was warned theire was oil in Engine wiring loom.

Witin 5 miles the light was up again.

My garage a Mercedes Specialist tell me they have seen many C Class withsimilar faults, they consider the Magnet was designed faulty, and that Mercedes should have called all cars back for a Warantee replacement on the faulty part.

My car goes back tomorrow subject to a computer reading it will now probably have a new Engine Wiring loom, if that does not cure it possibly a new engine management system.

Has anybody experience of this problem and have they been successful in getting Mercedes to refund some/all of the costs.

 

[luders79]

Hello,

I have come across this many times. I have had to change before now:
1. Engine Ecu.
2. Engine Wiring Harness.
3. Camshaft Adjuster magnet.
4. Lambda Probe Before TWC [kat]
5. Also fit the small modified loom loom that runs between camshaft adjuster magnet connector and wiring harness.

If oil has got into the ecu then you might have to change that as it could be causing the warnings lights to come on. As regard's to goodwill from mercedes for cost I don't know As i only fix them.

Hope this is of some help and good luck

Luders

 

[television]

Just a point here, Oil in the ECU can be washed out and oil does not damage it. MB change them on principle, so don't get stung for a £1000 new one.
the wiring loom must be changed.

malcolm

 

[luders79]

What can you wash out an e.c.u with? If a ecu is contaminated with oil for a while then surely the heat can turn it sticky and melt on circuit board?

Luders

 

[John44]

Has anybody been sucessful in getting Mecedes to contribute towards cost.

 

[John44]

EX Gratia payment

I will take that as a no then

 

[jamesmc]

I noticed a bit of oil appearing on the front of the engine and having read this thread I investigated a little further. No warning lights yet.

I've just pulled the plastic cover off the front of the camshaft housing on my 2.3 Kompressor engine.
Using the stamped on part number (A11 905 10077) it turned out that the part was described as the 'Magnet, Camshaft Adjuster'.

Questions for the more knowledgeable Merc guys around here.

To me it looks like a case of removing three allen bolts and pulling the magnet/unit off.
If I remove the magnet and replace the seal will it throw anything out of whack?
Is it an 'O' Ring seal or a gasket?
Is there anything else I should know before removing the unit?

 

[Uncle Benz]

I would strongly advise anyone with 271 engine in their car to fit the wiring loom modification referred to by Mercedes as "starter line", since it seems more and more of these cars are suffering this fault as time goes by. Even if oil has started getting into your loom, by fitting the mod parts, I think there is a fair chance of the oil not travelling any further.

Part number MA271 150 27 33

 

[jamesmc]

Not sure which engine is in the 200 comp (mentioned above) but my 2.3K engine seems to be designated 111.975, so is it fair to assume that the mod you mention doesn't apply to it?

Can anyone assist with my original questions or is there a mod for the 111.975 engine?

 

[Uncle Benz]

Have a look at the plug on the camshaft adjuster. The earlier ones have the old fashioned two round pins and the loom socket is soldered to the wires. I assumed that the solder prevents oil getting in, since Mercedes do not offer a modification loom for this type of connector. The later type are crimped to the more complicated looking loom socket, and I think this is where the oil penetrates. Both early and late cam adjusters leak oil so I think the loom plug type is what makes the difference.

 

[Devonian]

What can you wash out an e.c.u with? If a ecu is contaminated with oil for a while then surely the heat can turn it sticky and melt on circuit board?

Luders

Probably best to wash it off with isopropyl alcohol (you can get this from any chemist) just use a brush and then allow it to dry off. This should dissolve any oil and clean the panel off

 

[jamesmc]

Questions for the more knowledgeable Merc guys around here.

To me it looks like a case of removing three allen bolts and pulling the magnet/unit off.
If I remove the magnet and replace the seal will it throw anything out of whack?
Is it an 'O' Ring seal or a gasket?
Is there anything else I should know before removing the unit?

Uncle Benz
Thanks for the input... but it does look to me as though the leak is coming from behind the magnetic unit. I'll take that off soon and see what the deal is.
I'll also report on the type of connector used on my engine as it may assist others in future.

 

[BlackC55]

Uncle Benz
Thanks for the input... but it does look to me as though the leak is coming from behind the magnetic unit. I'll take that off soon and see what the deal is.
I'll also report on the type of connector used on my engine as it may assist others in future.

If you need any advice on this issue I can help as i have come across this problem loads of times.

 

[jma362k]

Has anybody been sucessful in getting Mecedes to contribute towards cost.

Hi There
Ihave had the same problem and was told that i would have to cough up for a new loom etc.
i contacted Mercedes UK, they conducted an investigation into this problem, they then come back to me a few days later saying that the fault i have encountered is a one off as they have never known this to happen before.

i argued that there are people all over the uk that have suffered this fault or are suffering from it. they said Sorry we cant comment on that, they then told me that it is down to the dealership to rectify the fault and then put a claim into mercedes to help with the cost ,and after contacting them they were told by the dealership that as i did not take my car to them for servicing this year they had (in so many words) washed there hands of me.
my car is 6 years old now and i do not see why i should be held to ransom over servicing.


It seems if you have the money to get ripped off by the dealerships in overinflated servicing costs then they may help you out, but dont hold your breath, the fact that i used a mercedes trained technician and all genuine parts makes no difference.

So the answer to your question is they more than likely wont help towards the cost if they can come up with a good enough excuse not to.

If you want to try anyway ring the customer services number that is so hard to find...my dealership would not give me the number but i found it after ringing different merc numbers its 0080017777777 its freefone too.

Also just letting you guys know that you dont have to goto the mercedes dealership to have your Engine K light put out...i have used the VW Diag to put my light out and it reads the faults he he

 

[jamesmc]

Time was against me and I had to leave for work in the UK. When I return home I will tackle the problem and report here to assist others in my findings.

Whilst I'm working on the engine, spanner and socket set out.... I'll also be looking into removal of the inlet manifold so that I can renew/clean (as required) the lower half of the engine oil breather system.

I'll be away from my car for another 3 weeks or so.

 

[type49]

Uncle Benz, the problem is with the last of the 111 engines, NOT the 271. The modified loom part does, however, start with 271, it's about £14. Regarding replacing the magnet, there are no hidden problems but instead of an o-ring, you must use an engine sealant.

 

[BlackC55]

It does affect the 271 engine. I have one in the workshop now with a leaking cam solenoid leaking oil into the loom. Its not that bad as I have caught it early.