TLC

[Mark brooks]

after ten years of neglect it’s time to fix the persistent little niggle with a camshaft sensor, it’s had no impact on the cars performance other than the annoying check engine light being on.
on the American market version there were issues with the camshafts failing, but as far as I know this fault was not a problem here in the UK.
After a service reset it’s fine for a couple of hundred miles, then the fault returns, I’ve had the magnets replaced but that’s not cured it and my mechanic has advised that a new sensor cost ranges from £20 to £150 depending on the type and that he cannot guarantee it will cure the fault.
Its been a reliable car it’s only done 57,000 miles and I want to keep it, but also want to sort the problem once and for all.
Anybody have the same problem, and is there a simple fix that doesn’t entail repeated and expensive visits to the workshop.

 

[yaosers]

Hiya, hope you're doing well!

Wondering if you've managed to get the problem fixed?


Short Version:
1) Have had a specialist look at it?
2) Have you tried replacing the suspect camshaft adjuster solenoids (magnets)?


Long Version:

I, too, have been having this problem ever since I bought my CLK second hand about 7 months ago. The previous owner told me about it, and the previous diagnostic reports from a Mercedes specialist looked detailed and reliable. I called up said specialist, and talked with the gentleman who did work on the car. He said that the issue will not cause any short or long term problems. I managed to eventually shave off some change from the price for it.

The previous owner did go through the full diagnostics, engine oil flush, etc., to try and fix the problem. But nothing helped.

But it was a nice car, sounded sweet and smooth, and looks fantastic (of course), and I really wanted to fix the problem. I did the usual camshaft sensor replacement, went to another Mercedes specialist for a second opinion, and found that this 2nd specialist seemed less trustworthy and professional.

I eventually went back to the first specialist (it was closer to me than to the original owner of my car). We ran through the same diagnostics, and found, like the previous time the car went through the same diagnostics for the same problem, that the camshafts were not out of alignment, that there's no timing chain issue, that it seems like the problem should be electrical, as the camshaft adaptation diagnostics showed that the right intake/exhaust camshafts weren't just under-performing; they were completely non-functional.

In this particular diagnostic, the accelerator is pressed until 4000 RPM is reached. The diagnostic computer would show moving arrows, indicating the camshaft being adjusted. As long as the arrows are in a "green zone", then it is functioning as intended. If in the red, then it's not. For my car, the right intake and exhaust camshafts were not only in the red zone, but their indication arrows (on the computer screen) did not move at all.

This gave us the impression that the problem's electrical, rather than mechanical (costly). His recommendation was that I try replacing the suspect camshaft adjuster solenoids with genuine Mercedes parts, and that might just fix the problem.

After a lot of elbow grease, I managed to do so on Wednesday, 18th of May, 2022. I removed one of them easily enough. The other was stuck so tightly that I basically broke the part to get it out. I had to get some help from a mechanic, but we basically had to chisel it out with a mallet and screwdriver!

After removing both, I checked the resistance between the 2 pins of both of the solenoids. They looked normal (~8 Ohms) compared to a new one. However, the central... pin thing? the small cylinder in the middle of the magnet, did not move smoothly in one of the faulty magnets; for the other magnet, the pin did not move at all. In the new ones I bought, they moved so freely that if I just gently shook the boxes that they were packed in, I could hear those pins moving.

After replacing the solenoids, I cleared the faults using a generic OBD scanner. It's been almost 5 days now and the check engine light hasn't come on yet, whereas previously it would light up within a few hours or in a day or two of being reset.

So basically my 2 pence would be to have a specialist take a look (if you're near Wales, I recommend the one in Cardiff; that was the one I used and they were very friendly and professional and patient), and then depending on what they say, try replacing the solenoids.

Please let us know how your progress went!

P.S. Just for reference: The previous owner had these unmarked camshaft sensors installed. I replaced them all (all 4 of them) with Delphi ones. On AutoDoc I managed to get them for < £25 each. The genuine Mercedes camshaft adjuster solenoids were £19.50 each; part number "A 272 051 01 77". The diagnostics with the Mercedes specialist was £70, no parts, labor included, VAT included. My car is at about 115k miles. This is my first post on here and I don't know how to post photos, but if you would like them for reference, just lemme know and I'll figure it out. Lemme know if you need any additional information.

EDIT: Oops, I see that you have had the magnets replaced.

 

[mioba]

great first post

 

[Blobcat]

If you’re getting a yellow engine warning light the below 2 websites has some good info on M272 engine issues

Mercedes Benz balance shaft engine issues. How to check by VIN. M272/273 – MB Medic

www.mercedesmedic.com

Mercedes Benz Intake Manifold Problem Explained, And How To Correct It - Atlantic Motorcar Center

Many owners of late-model Mercedes-Benz cars equipped with 3.0 and 3.5l V6 engines (M272 or M273), as well as some of the later V8s, have or will likely soon experience a near-universal Mercedes Benz intake manifold problem. Generally, we find problems in performance, which include poor idle...

atlanticmotorcar.com

 

[daibevan]

Hiya, hope you're doing well!

Wondering if you've managed to get the problem fixed?


Short Version:
1) Have had a specialist look at it?
2) Have you tried replacing the suspect camshaft adjuster solenoids (magnets)?


Long Version:

I, too, have been having this problem ever since I bought my CLK second hand about 7 months ago. The previous owner told me about it, and the previous diagnostic reports from a Mercedes specialist looked detailed and reliable. I called up said specialist, and talked with the gentleman who did work on the car. He said that the issue will not cause any short or long term problems. I managed to eventually shave off some change from the price for it.

The previous owner did go through the full diagnostics, engine oil flush, etc., to try and fix the problem. But nothing helped.

But it was a nice car, sounded sweet and smooth, and looks fantastic (of course), and I really wanted to fix the problem. I did the usual camshaft sensor replacement, went to another Mercedes specialist for a second opinion, and found that this 2nd specialist seemed less trustworthy and professional.

I eventually went back to the first specialist (it was closer to me than to the original owner of my car). We ran through the same diagnostics, and found, like the previous time the car went through the same diagnostics for the same problem, that the camshafts were not out of alignment, that there's no timing chain issue, that it seems like the problem should be electrical, as the camshaft adaptation diagnostics showed that the right intake/exhaust camshafts weren't just under-performing; they were completely non-functional.

In this particular diagnostic, the accelerator is pressed until 4000 RPM is reached. The diagnostic computer would show moving arrows, indicating the camshaft being adjusted. As long as the arrows are in a "green zone", then it is functioning as intended. If in the red, then it's not. For my car, the right intake and exhaust camshafts were not only in the red zone, but their indication arrows (on the computer screen) did not move at all.

This gave us the impression that the problem's electrical, rather than mechanical (costly). His recommendation was that I try replacing the suspect camshaft adjuster solenoids with genuine Mercedes parts, and that might just fix the problem.

After a lot of elbow grease, I managed to do so on Wednesday, 18th of May, 2022. I removed one of them easily enough. The other was stuck so tightly that I basically broke the part to get it out. I had to get some help from a mechanic, but we basically had to chisel it out with a mallet and screwdriver!

After removing both, I checked the resistance between the 2 pins of both of the solenoids. They looked normal (~8 Ohms) compared to a new one. However, the central... pin thing? the small cylinder in the middle of the magnet, did not move smoothly in one of the faulty magnets; for the other magnet, the pin did not move at all. In the new ones I bought, they moved so freely that if I just gently shook the boxes that they were packed in, I could hear those pins moving.

After replacing the solenoids, I cleared the faults using a generic OBD scanner. It's been almost 5 days now and the check engine light hasn't come on yet, whereas previously it would light up within a few hours or in a day or two of being reset.

So basically my 2 pence would be to have a specialist take a look (if you're near Wales, I recommend the one in Cardiff; that was the one I used and they were very friendly and professional and patient), and then depending on what they say, try replacing the solenoids.

Please let us know how your progress went!

P.S. Just for reference: The previous owner had these unmarked camshaft sensors installed. I replaced them all (all 4 of them) with Delphi ones. On AutoDoc I managed to get them for < £25 each. The genuine Mercedes camshaft adjuster solenoids were £19.50 each; part number "A 272 051 01 77". The diagnostics with the Mercedes specialist was £70, no parts, labor included, VAT included. My car is at about 115k miles. This is my first post on here and I don't know how to post photos, but if you would like them for reference, just lemme know and I'll figure it out. Lemme know if you need any additional information.

EDIT: Oops, I see that you have had the magnets replaced.

Very interesting.
Photos would be great, we love them.
I would like to know who the Cardiff independent is.

 

[yaosers]

Very interesting.
Photos would be great, we love them.
I would like to know who the Cardiff independent is.

Hi! Sorry, forgot to refresh back on this page.

First of all, it has now been close to 3 weeks since I've replaced the camshaft actuator solenoids based on the specialist's diagnostics & recommendation, and the Check Engine Light has not yet returned.

Below I'm attaching pics of the multimeter measurements of the two NG camshaft actuator solenoids, and videos of me fiddling with the NG solenoids' central... actuator pins (?).

Pic #1: The NG but unbroken solenoid, measured 8.5 Ohms across the 2 pins, which is in line with... whatever I found on YouTube.


Pic #2: The NG and broken solenoid, measured 8.6 Ohms across the 2 pins, which is still in line with that video I found on YouTube. You can see the pieces of it in the background.


Vid #1: Here is the NG but unbroken solenoid, again. I'm showing that the... actuator "pin"? isn't moving very freely.

https://imgur.com/a/ZwctMnJ

Vid #2: Here is the NG and broken solenoid, again. I'm showing that the... actuator "pin"? isn't moving at all.

https://imgur.com/a/qe2lxx6

Lastly, the Mercedes specialist garage in Cardiff is called "Continental Cars UK Ltd." They are a "Mercedes Benz & Smart Car Servicing & Repair" garage. The guy you basically deal with, Matt (I think his name is; sorry! I'm so bad with names!!), is a stout fella, a patient and knowledgeable and helpful gentleman. I would highly recommend the garage, for reasons I've given in my previous post.

They are easy to find in Google Maps; however, if you'd like an address and telephone number, they are at:
Edward House, Dowlais Road, Ocean Park, Cardiff, CF24 5TW
Tel: 02920 432832

I'd like to mention right here right now that I am in no way affiliated to these folks or the garage. I'm simply making a recommendation based on personal experience.

Did I miss anything? If so, please let me know how else I could help!

 

[yaosers]

I've left my very positive review of Continental Cars UK LTD at GoodGarageScheme.com and on Google Maps. Additionally I wanted to mention, at the time I had removed my airbag from the steering wheel in an effort to swap out to a wood-trimmed one, but I could not remove the central bolt. I asked for Matt's help with loosening the central bolt just a bit so I could do the remaining work myself. Matt shook his head in dismay, and helped me remove that bolt, put the new steering wheel on, and replaced the airbag as well. I offered to pay him for that bit of work, but he declined any payment.