Mercedes question....

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montero1

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A coworker of mine has a 2007 C 280, and recently failed MD emissions. She's taken it to a few mechanics and after replacing a few other parts, two of them have determined that the only thing left is something called a camshaft adjuster solenoid (it still won't pass emissions). Apparently the engine has to come out to replace this, and a couple of the mechanics, and even more after calling around, have basically told her that they don't want anything to do with the job for some reason. Car is in otherwise good shape, I believe it has about 110,000 miles on it ----the one person that said they would do it told her it would run $5000 !!!! Any ideas? Anyone have experience with this? I think the part is somewhere around $160, so I don't know how they could've gotten a price of $5000 in labor, unless it takes 50 hours times $90 an hour to remove and install this engine.....
 
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Search for a good indy that is familiar with that motor
50hr = total rebuild

Google Says:

Quote:
This car has an M272 V6 engine, which came in various sizes (3.0l in the 280 and 300 series, 2.5l in the 230 series, 3.5l in the 350 series). These engines have two potential problems. Most all of them through MY2008, maybe into MY2009, had defective camshaft magnets which trigger the MIL with several stored codes. This is easy to fix - easy DIY or just a couple of hours of shop rates - and parts are around $150. These engines up through MY2007 (maybe into early MY2008) also had a more serious problem with the "balance shaft". The material of the timing gear sprocket on the shaft is too soft and fails. It requires pulling the engine and tearing into the engine to replace it and it's a $4K++ job.
 
But I don't think that balance shaft can cause the emissions to fail ?
Indy with Merc Star can pull up codes and see whats up

I would contact Mercedes and see if there is any good will in splitting price as this is common problem ...
 
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$5000? sounds like that shop is gonna sub the job out to the dealer and then just keep the left over fee for the profit.
 
Unless its just leaking oil there will a code set for this.
Has she gone to the dealer? Joe Schmucatelli with his generic scan tool isn't getting to the bottom of this issue.

Quote:
Fault Code Scenario 2: One or more of the fault codes 0059, 0060, 0063, 0064, 0271, 0272, 0275, and 0276 are stored in ME-SFI control module. The
fault codes are recorded as current and stored in the fault memory. These codes are caused by a malfunctioning camshaft adjustment solenoid.
 
Originally Posted By: montero1
A coworker of mine has a 2007 C 280, and recently failed MD emissions. She's taken it to a few mechanics and after replacing a few other parts, two of them have determined that the only thing left is something called a camshaft adjuster solenoid (it still won't pass emissions). Apparently the engine has to come out to replace this, and a couple of the mechanics, and even more after calling around, have basically told her that they don't want anything to do with the job for some reason. Car is in otherwise good shape, I believe it has about 110,000 miles on it ----the one person that said they would do it told her it would run $5000 !!!! Any ideas? Anyone have experience with this? I think the part is somewhere around $160, so I don't know how they could've gotten a price of $5000 in labor, unless it takes 50 hours times $90 an hour to remove and install this engine.....


Yeah-balance shaft and you are looking around 7k. That usually triggers a CEL though and then the car becomes undriveable.

Camshaft solenoids were replaced under warranty on my 2007 E350. They are right on the front of the engine.

http://mbworld.org/forums/s-class-w221/464270-camshaft-solenoid-recall-w221.html
 
Originally Posted By: montero1
A coworker of mine has a 2007 C 280, and recently failed MD emissions. She's taken it to a few mechanics and after replacing a few other parts, two of them have determined that the only thing left is something called a camshaft adjuster solenoid (it still won't pass emissions).

The camshaft adjustment solenoid was covered by a TSB/Service Action on this model year. If this car hasn't had this action performed, then take it to any MB dealer - they'll replace it for free.

http://www.edmunds.com/car-maintenance/t...04&type=tsb

However, I'm not so sure this will make it pass emissions test. But if the emissions test only checks that the CEL light goes away, then I guess it would.
 
Originally Posted By: montero1
They used a code reader, no oil leak. All mercedes/bmw specialists.


Hey,

A lot of small shops use devices that are not that great ...
STAR is the device that they should hook up to that car ... There are couple alternatives that work as well ...
 
I wouldn't drop $5-7k into a 7 year old C-class with that kind of mileage.

Trying to cut corners on a cut-rate economy tear down is not a good deal, either, and can result in a continuing nightmare.

Sometimes, it's best to cut one's losses on an aging German, especially the lower tier models, when the big dollar repairs start happening.

Sorry for your co-worker on this one.
 
Is it the sensor or the timing gears because the sensor is not that big of a deal.

I assume those shops are not using generic code readers but STAR? If not good luck.
 
Not sure what type of Reader they used, but the mechanic told her that it's not a mechanical problem waiting to happen, it's really only going to give her problem for passing emissions. She failed emissions for the MIL test, the Comm test, and the KOER test.
 
Isn't there some kind of law, That MIL needs to be emission related ...
 
If the failing solenoid can be deemed part of the emissions system, it may qualify for the federal emissions warranty. But I'm skeptical of that.

If she bought it new, I would definitely lean on MB to offer some goodwill as it's at least emissions-related. At $3k or less, the car is suddenly worth keeping.
 
Originally Posted By: montero1
Not sure what type of Reader they used, but the mechanic told her that it's not a mechanical problem waiting to happen, it's really only going to give her problem for passing emissions. She failed emissions for the MIL test, the Comm test, and the KOER test.


This thing has a communications error? It sounds like more going on here than just a failed sensor.
 
In CT, if your car fails emissions and you spend something like $700 at a certified emissions repair shop trying to fix it, and the problem STILL isn't fixed, you get a waiver and you never have to get an emissions test again. See if MD has something similar.
 
Anyone buying a German luxury should know beforehand that even minor repairs could cost astronomically. To make the matters worse, if you don't take the car to the dealer or a specialized shop, it could inflict further damage, costing even more. Even replacing the battery costs close to $1000. A friend of mine took his BMW to Pep Boys to have the battery replaced (dealer had asked more than $700) and now the convertible top won't open.
 
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