Thank you ! You saved me a year later I still had the lock pin and spring when I took the heads off . I had no idea where that piece went , I pulled off the sprockets and the right side intake gear sprocket included and noticed that lock pin sitting inside near the valve springs and hydraulic lifters , I was baffled where it went since I never opened up the gear . Thank goodness for a year later finding this detailed video and now will not have extra parts leftover from that job a year ago !!!
Could I suggest changing the title of this video to something like "why the Mercedes M271 timing chain or gears can fail" I found your videos really useful, even more so than anything on MB forums. Thank you
By far the best video on youtube on these. A few questions to better understand the system: 1. Is this an 'either on or off' system or does it adjust the timing in between the cam phaser range? 2. The torsion spring in the adjuster - is its job to bring back the adjuster to the point where the plunger locks? Does this happen when the oil pressure is reduced due to the solenoid not pushing the cam phaser oil valve? 3. Does the oil pressure from the valve in the cam phaser also unlock the pin?
Gerard... You are a genius. This video was so well explained that I now have a full understanding of this issue. I have the confidence to undertake this repair myself thanks to you. Good Job!
@@GerardBurkeBurkesGarage I have a m272 3.5l I recently replaced the camshaft sensors and magnets about 20,000 miles ago but they weren’t from dealer so would that matter or not? I change oil at 3,000 miles so oil won’t get sludgy I recently had p0300 and I did a lot of maintenance before I got it code became p0010 so I cleaned sensors/ mags and it’s still there I’m at 165k miles and my mechanic said he did the balance shaft before I got the car so about 3-5 years ago now and put on about 50,000 miles between me and old owner all external belts have about 40,000 on them
I do these all the time on the m271, but now I am starting to see them on the M276 and M278, currently have a M276 in my garage with a bad pin on one of the gears
Hey Gerard! We've nailed down a solution for the issue with the locking mechanism in M271 EVO engines by designing completely new VVT gears. Interested in trying them out?
Hey! New sub here. I am currently undertaking this job on my merc and these videos helps alot! Thanks! But seeing the problem on the pulleys you have, i wonder if it can be repaired without buying new parts. Just replace the material that is missing with weld, and grind (i have access to precision machining tools) a new profile? I'll try and update you soon. :)
9:00 So when testing to ensure it correctly locks, youre rotating the crank counter clockwise to engage the pin, then wrenching it clockwise to see if the pin snaps out of place? Im at 200k miles and am looking at this on my c230k. Thanks!
Hi Gerard, an excellent professional presentation on this topic. In the light of your considerable experience if this was your personal car what brands of Camshaft Adjusters would you consider purchasing in the current market please for future reliability. ? Your thoughts would be most welcome for others to avoid pitfalls. Thanks, much appreciated.
So the teeth on the intake and exhaust camshaft adjusters on my Audi are missing. I dont know how, the engine had been hard starting for years but no loss of power. Started gettin cylinder 1 misfire last week and thats how i discovered that timing was out.
Great video, I'd buy you a pint if you were local. Early M276 engines secondary chain tensioners don’t receive adequate oil flow on start up. Mercedes did update some parts Q. What would you say leads to failure? Late oil changes or assembly issue? I ask because the 2015 C300 and C400 Mercedes M276 engine still seems to have cam related failures from 60 to 71K miles.
Thanks for this video. Is it possible then for the timing marks to all line up correctly but then the camshaft is not where it needs to be when engine is running because the lock pin has failed?
Hi Gerard, thanks for the excellent video. Would you be able to advise me if a faulty pin, cause the tensioner to get damaged and which will cause slack in the timing chain and over time damage the timing chain. Can that sequence of events potentially happen?
Do you have the process for the M274 engine 2014 E200. There are no alignment marks for the gear hub align to camshaft,but also do you need to load the chain for the gears ? Appreciate any help. This motor has changed from P0016 to now P0341 this is a click when manually turning the motor over by hand. Parts that were replaced timing chain and tensioner,both gear hubs (look different to your video) all genuine Merc.
Just a note that the plate can only wear on one side , that is where the little piston moves across. The opposite side has no piston wear or damage but is made like that
It would appear that the VVT will allow for about 2 teeth of timing adjustment, 44 teeth on the cam gear so a bit more than 8 degrees per tooth and a bit more than 16 degrees for two teeth, times 2 or a bit more than 32 degrees total advanced timing for 2 crankshaft rotations or 1 firing event or 4 strokes of the engine or 720 degrees of crank rotation. The capability for this system will be viewable on a scope or live scan data if given in that format. The DTC did not give a specific value to set the trouble code which would be in the service data. I would only guess at a value greater than 8ish degrees to set a code??? Thanks so much for the video and tutorial, now I can see the locking pin does not have to be broken in half or jammed in or out, this one is simply slipping out of the locking hole and making plenty of noise.
Awesome. Thanks! I was looking for clues on how might lock these on my bmw n73... Looks like I can just swap the spring loaded locking pin for a longer non-spring loaded pin, unplug the valve and be done with it. Right? I'm using an 03 n73 V12 in an old jeep Cherokee overlander project, so I'm stripping/deleting all the electronics, and adapting carburetors, and HEI distributors for ignition. Thanks again!
would these cause a grinding on a cold start? had all my timing chain and gears replaced and now im getting a grind on cold starts only, after being sat overnight or all day.
Thank you for the video. But I fail to understand how the solenoid (electromagnet controlled by ecu) will advance or retard the timing. I think it wasnt explained. What is the importance of that lock as well. Since the ecu can always presumably control the timing by somehow activating the solenoid anyway.
I have a 2004 SLK200 and I can hear a rattle when the engine is revved and let go the acceleration paddle. what it could be? Could it be the intake camshaft? Thanks
m276 owner, currently no check engine light, rattle on start up for 2-3 seconds. my camshaft adjusters do not slip like displayed in the video.. could my tensioner just be bad?
Sorry I want to ask 'there is a problem with my vehicle E212Mercedes' when starting the cold engine the engine vibrates for 20 seconds. when the camchaft sensor is removed, it starts normally. Thank you
Gerard great video. Additional question is why does the wear occur? Depending on the answer to that question what can be done to prevent premature failure or excessive wear? Thks
Thank you, My latest video on this Mercedes is now posted if you want to check it out 👌 The wear is due to sub standard materials from what I have read, I am unsure if they upgraded the quality later or if it is the exact same materials/parts still being sold. I asked my parts suppliers plus the dealer and neither of them were sure 🤷♂️ Changing oil regularly and using the correct type of course helps, but there is no extra way of avoiding this issue that I know of in these models. Thanks for watching 🙏🙏
@Cam montreuil engines thanks for sharing, didn't think of lucas additives as a preventive solution but from what I have seen with their products it could very well help out if used 🤔 Thanks for commenting and watching 🙏👍
@@GerardBurkeBurkesGarage Perhaps the same substandard materials (vendor?) used on the balance shaft sprocket used on the early M272 engines that suffered a lot of premature wear and costly engine repair.
Think my C250 1.8 has developed this prob at 94k, it is looking like fuel getting into the oil caused this problem over time. Thanks for the video it has been a great help.
Hi Gerard. Quick question. We have just changed our camshaft adjusters, timing chain and tensioner on our 2012 Mercedes-Benz C200, M271. There was a small pin that we not sure if it came out somewhere or were it belongs. Is there a possibility this came out the camshaft adjuster? I can't see one like it in your video.
Hey can you give Me your input? I'm trying to determine what I need. My Scan Tool is showing Me A code for Actuator Exhaust Camshaft Cylinder Bank 1. However when I search for It, I'm only coming up with Camshaft Adjusters and Solenoids. So I'm just confused as to what exactly it is. I have a 2014 M276 Engine. I'm trying to determine if I need The Solenoids on the Camshaft Cover, Or the Actual Camshaft Adjuster Gear. The Car Starts Right up and runs, just runs rough and engine vibrates, Can you help?
@Gerard Burke: nice video to explain little known topic. My W204/M272 engine is a bit more complex. Currently I have DTC 1208 as intake cam retarded. What’ve I noticed is that intake cam is supposedly fluctuate between 4 ADTC to 36 BDTC. In my case, it goes even to 36.2-36.6 which simply means timing is off, chain is stretched or sprocket worn? But what’s most interesting is: once it reaches 36.6 (rpm=3500) or 36.2 (rpm=2500) then it’s “locked up” (shows constant instead of fluctuation); what’s happened there? Do you have any idea, answer? Appreciate your input!
This is the same observance i have with my 2008 m272 3.5. Trying to figure out why its doin this as well. Is it the oil control valve or the cam phaser gear on right side intake. Dont know but sooner or later i think i may have an expensive fix. Dont think its the balance shaft though as mine is out of the affected serial number range. Let me know if you make any headway.
Bonjour je suis mécanicien eu je suis en train de faire un Echapament de chain distribution pourrais vous me donne un lian ou vous explique le montage svp merci
Why don't they sell the individual parts for rebuilding like in the old days you fix it so you understand it so you become a better mechanic not a replacement mechanic
great video and explanation! can I trouble to have a look at a video of the noise my engine makes on cold starts ? th-cam.com/video/y84ojYnwwSc/w-d-xo.html It's an Alfa Romeo 1.9 JTS and after asking around and seeing multiple mechanics the consensus is that it either has to do with a bad actuator losing oil pressure (or not getting oil on startup) or, second scenario it has to do with timing chain around the water pump area. I need to mention no errors present and the chain looks to be well tensioned. thanks!
Link for the 1st video where I detail how this fault presented when the customer came in th-cam.com/video/5qUoND1cXqg/w-d-xo.html
Thank you ! You saved me a year later I still had the lock pin and spring when I took the heads off . I had no idea where that piece went , I pulled off the sprockets and the right side intake gear sprocket included and noticed that lock pin sitting inside near the valve springs and hydraulic lifters , I was baffled where it went since I never opened up the gear . Thank goodness for a year later finding this detailed video and now will not have extra parts leftover from that job a year ago !!!
As a father taught mechanic... I really really appreciate the amount of work you put into this video!! Thank you so much!!!!
Could I suggest changing the title of this video to something like "why the Mercedes M271 timing chain or gears can fail" I found your videos really useful, even more so than anything on MB forums. Thank you
By far the best video on youtube on these. A few questions to better understand the system:
1. Is this an 'either on or off' system or does it adjust the timing in between the cam phaser range?
2. The torsion spring in the adjuster - is its job to bring back the adjuster to the point where the plunger locks? Does this happen when the oil pressure is reduced due to the solenoid not pushing the cam phaser oil valve?
3. Does the oil pressure from the valve in the cam phaser also unlock the pin?
Gerard... You are a genius. This video was so well explained that I now have a full understanding of this issue. I have the confidence to undertake this repair myself thanks to you. Good Job!
Thank you very much for the comment Jevon, I appreciate it 🙏🙏
I second this comment fully
@@GerardBurkeBurkesGarage I have a m272 3.5l I recently replaced the camshaft sensors and magnets about 20,000 miles ago but they weren’t from dealer so would that matter or not? I change oil at 3,000 miles so oil won’t get sludgy I recently had p0300 and I did a lot of maintenance before I got it code became p0010 so I cleaned sensors/ mags and it’s still there I’m at 165k miles and my mechanic said he did the balance shaft before I got the car so about 3-5 years ago now and put on about 50,000 miles between me and old owner all external belts have about 40,000 on them
I appreciate this video on understanding the phaser and stopped never did before
Excellent video. Really explained very clearly how the variable timing works. I had no idea and now I do. Thanks.
Thank you for the video, How do you remove the check valve from behind the tensioner on a m276
Excellent video by far the best one on the subject. Subscribed.
I do these all the time on the m271, but now I am starting to see them on the M276 and M278, currently have a M276 in my garage with a bad pin on one of the gears
Outstanding video!! This is EXACTLY the info I was looking for!!
🙏🙏❤️❤️
Hey Gerard! We've nailed down a solution for the issue with the locking mechanism in M271 EVO engines by designing completely new VVT gears. Interested in trying them out?
Brilliant, crystal clear
Well done Gerard!
Maxy does love a good tear down!
Excellent follow up on the previous video. 😁
Thank you Max 😁
Great job...all shops claim kits are unavailable..not true..they
Can I replace these myself
Good man Ger!! Stumbled across this channel earlier when I was looking how to change the bulbs on a Mondeo 😂 Hope all is well with you!
Thanks James, all is good 👌
Hope ya got the info ya needed 🙏👍
Hey! New sub here. I am currently undertaking this job on my merc and these videos helps alot! Thanks!
But seeing the problem on the pulleys you have, i wonder if it can be repaired without buying new parts. Just replace the material that is missing with weld, and grind (i have access to precision machining tools) a new profile?
I'll try and update you soon. :)
Thanks Per,
Its definitely possible, good luck with the repair 💪👌
Hi Gerard, When you assemble these should the spring have tension on the vane ? thanks Allan
9:00 So when testing to ensure it correctly locks, youre rotating the crank counter clockwise to engage the pin, then wrenching it clockwise to see if the pin snaps out of place? Im at 200k miles and am looking at this on my c230k. Thanks!
Great video! Waiting for the next video on how to remove it and hold the camshaft
Thank you 🙏🙏
Next one is coming soon 👌💪
Video is now uploaded on my channel 👌👍
Hi Gerard, an excellent professional presentation on this topic. In the light of your considerable experience if this was your personal car what brands of Camshaft Adjusters would you consider purchasing in the current market please for future reliability. ? Your thoughts would be most welcome for others to avoid pitfalls. Thanks, much appreciated.
Very clear and informative. Thanks.
Fantastic video, more please on the Mercedes M271 954 engine please, mine is 2008, SLK 200 Kompressor 184 CV remapped to 214 professionally done👍
So the teeth on the intake and exhaust camshaft adjusters on my Audi are missing. I dont know how, the engine had been hard starting for years but no loss of power. Started gettin cylinder 1 misfire last week and thats how i discovered that timing was out.
Great video, I'd buy you a pint if you were local. Early M276 engines secondary chain tensioners don’t receive adequate oil flow on start up. Mercedes did update some parts
Q. What would you say leads to failure? Late oil changes or assembly issue?
I ask because the 2015 C300 and C400 Mercedes M276 engine still seems to have cam related failures from 60 to 71K miles.
Thanks for this video. Is it possible then for the timing marks to all line up correctly but then the camshaft is not where it needs to be when engine is running because the lock pin has failed?
Hi Gerard, thanks for the excellent video.
Would you be able to advise me if a faulty pin, cause the tensioner to get damaged and which will cause slack in the timing chain and over time damage the timing chain.
Can that sequence of events potentially happen?
Do you have the process for the M274 engine 2014 E200. There are no alignment marks for the gear hub align to camshaft,but also do you need to load the chain for the gears ? Appreciate any help. This motor has changed from P0016 to now P0341 this is a click when manually turning the motor over by hand. Parts that were replaced timing chain and tensioner,both gear hubs (look different to your video) all genuine Merc.
Just a note that the plate can only wear on one side , that is where the little piston moves across. The opposite side has no piston wear or damage but is made like that
It would appear that the VVT will allow for about 2 teeth of timing adjustment, 44 teeth on the cam gear so a bit more than 8 degrees per tooth and a bit more than 16 degrees for two teeth, times 2 or a bit more than 32 degrees total advanced timing for 2 crankshaft rotations or 1 firing event or 4 strokes of the engine or 720 degrees of crank rotation. The capability for this system will be viewable on a scope or live scan data if given in that format. The DTC did not give a specific value to set the trouble code which would be in the service data. I would only guess at a value greater than 8ish degrees to set a code??? Thanks so much for the video and tutorial, now I can see the locking pin does not have to be broken in half or jammed in or out, this one is simply slipping out of the locking hole and making plenty of noise.
Its sick work, you deserve my LIKE!
🙏🙏👍😀
Do you need to lube the new camshaft adjusters before installation? Thanks a lot!
Awesome. Thanks! I was looking for clues on how might lock these on my bmw n73... Looks like I can just swap the spring loaded locking pin for a longer non-spring loaded pin, unplug the valve and be done with it. Right?
I'm using an 03 n73 V12 in an old jeep Cherokee overlander project, so I'm stripping/deleting all the electronics, and adapting carburetors, and HEI distributors for ignition.
Thanks again!
The best bet would be to open them and add a metal block inside to lock them in place. A machine shop can make something for you.
would these cause a grinding on a cold start? had all my timing chain and gears replaced and now im getting a grind on cold starts only, after being sat overnight or all day.
What happens if you mix the exhaust and the intake by misstake? Can you use the exhast on the intake side?
Thank you for the video. But I fail to understand how the solenoid (electromagnet controlled by ecu) will advance or retard the timing. I think it wasnt explained. What is the importance of that lock as well. Since the ecu can always presumably control the timing by somehow activating the solenoid anyway.
Very helpful explaining
I have a 2004 SLK200 and I can hear a rattle when the engine is revved and let go the acceleration paddle. what it could be? Could it be the intake camshaft? Thanks
m276 owner, currently no check engine light, rattle on start up for 2-3 seconds. my camshaft adjusters do not slip like displayed in the video.. could my tensioner just be bad?
Sorry I want to ask 'there is a problem with my vehicle E212Mercedes' when starting the cold engine the engine vibrates for 20 seconds. when the camchaft sensor is removed, it starts normally.
Thank you
Very informative video Ger 👍👍
Thank you very much 🙏😊👍
should both intake and exhaust VVT gears be locked at rest?
Hello dear , i have issue with this parts can you help me to understand what is the problem?
Gerard great video. Additional question is why does the wear occur? Depending on the answer to that question what can be done to prevent premature failure or excessive wear? Thks
Thank you,
My latest video on this Mercedes is now posted if you want to check it out 👌
The wear is due to sub standard materials from what I have read, I am unsure if they upgraded the quality later or if it is the exact same materials/parts still being sold.
I asked my parts suppliers plus the dealer and neither of them were sure 🤷♂️
Changing oil regularly and using the correct type of course helps, but there is no extra way of avoiding this issue that I know of in these models.
Thanks for watching 🙏🙏
@Cam montreuil engines thanks for sharing, didn't think of lucas additives as a preventive solution but from what I have seen with their products it could very well help out if used 🤔
Thanks for commenting and watching 🙏👍
@@GerardBurkeBurkesGarage Perhaps the same substandard materials (vendor?) used on the balance shaft sprocket used on the early M272 engines that suffered a lot of premature wear and costly engine repair.
Think my C250 1.8 has developed this prob at 94k, it is looking like fuel getting into the oil caused this problem over time. Thanks for the video it has been a great help.
So can you just replace the pin to fix it ?
Hi Gerard. Quick question. We have just changed our camshaft adjusters, timing chain and tensioner on our 2012 Mercedes-Benz C200, M271. There was a small pin that we not sure if it came out somewhere or were it belongs. Is there a possibility this came out the camshaft adjuster? I can't see one like it in your video.
2016 E350 (bank 2) - throwing codes for camshaft sensors, camshaft actuators and misfires. V6
my car only runed 30 thousand kilometer but have the issue of adjuster ?? a low kilometer engine also can cause this problem?
Good stuff Gerard, well explained, a lot going on in them sprockets:):)
Thanks Pat, ya there is a bit involved with all the moving parts, thanks for watching 🙏👍📺👌🎄💪
sir with engine run i check power by tester thers no power is that normal ? w140 m104.990 engine
Hey can you give Me your input? I'm trying to determine what I need. My Scan Tool is showing Me A code for Actuator Exhaust Camshaft Cylinder Bank 1. However when I search for It, I'm only coming up with Camshaft Adjusters and Solenoids. So I'm just confused as to what exactly it is. I have a 2014 M276 Engine. I'm trying to determine if I need The Solenoids on the Camshaft Cover, Or the Actual Camshaft Adjuster Gear. The Car Starts Right up and runs, just runs rough and engine vibrates, Can you help?
Excellent explenation 👌🏼
Hi what is the function of the spool valve
Can anyone post mileage failure to compare consistency on bad engineering or just bad QC in manufacturing process ? Thank you
Hello do you have a garage I have a Merc on limp mode , some of these mechanics don’t say the truth , can you help me ?
Have a clk 2007 in dublin are you available to fix car
Very good class. Tks
Interesting video good stuff!
Cheers Vincent 🙏👍
An educative video
@Gerard Burke: nice video to explain little known topic. My W204/M272 engine is a bit more complex. Currently I have DTC 1208 as intake cam retarded. What’ve I noticed is that intake cam is supposedly fluctuate between 4 ADTC to 36 BDTC. In my case, it goes even to 36.2-36.6 which simply means timing is off, chain is stretched or sprocket worn? But what’s most interesting is: once it reaches 36.6 (rpm=3500) or 36.2 (rpm=2500) then it’s “locked up” (shows constant instead of fluctuation); what’s happened there? Do you have any idea, answer? Appreciate your input!
This is the same observance i have with my 2008 m272 3.5. Trying to figure out why its doin this as well. Is it the oil control valve or the cam phaser gear on right side intake. Dont know but sooner or later i think i may have an expensive fix. Dont think its the balance shaft though as mine is out of the affected serial number range. Let me know if you make any headway.
Is this why the ticking noice ocurs?
Thank you so much 😁😁
🙏🙏💪💪
What was the symptom ?
It's a series check the playlist at the end of video or in the description 👍👌
Why does it fail ? What is the root cause ?
AT HOW MANY MILES IT USUALLY FAILS ?
What if you permanently lock it
Is that a temporary solution?
apparently people have welded it, seems to work from what I read but dont take my word for it :D
Todo El problema es aceite sucio . Mal mantenimiento y la valvula de escape falla.. VVT
Thanks
Para el 276 pero en español puesta a punto nesecito b
Gracias
Bonjour je suis mécanicien eu je suis en train de faire un Echapament de chain distribution pourrais vous me donne un lian ou vous explique le montage svp merci
AAA+++Bedford, Texas
Why don't they sell the individual parts for rebuilding like in the old days you fix it so you understand it so you become a better mechanic not a replacement mechanic
How to prevent failure? Kindly comment, thanks.
Wow 👏
Thanks Kyle 👌👍
great video and explanation! can I trouble to have a look at a video of the noise my engine makes on cold starts ? th-cam.com/video/y84ojYnwwSc/w-d-xo.html It's an Alfa Romeo 1.9 JTS and after asking around and seeing multiple mechanics the consensus is that it either has to do with a bad actuator losing oil pressure (or not getting oil on startup) or, second scenario it has to do with timing chain around the water pump area. I need to mention no errors present and the chain looks to be well tensioned. thanks!
Typically German then, badly engineered using poor quality materials...