M271 Leaking Cam Sensors
Newbie
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
From: Maryland , rockville
2005 c230 kompressor sedan
P0010 code on 05 W203 C230K M271
Hi I have 2005 c230k with 46000 miles on it , on friday my engine start runing rough , at
first there wasn't any cel on , then after i drive for a while the car went fine , on
saturday i went to start the car in the afternoom , it runs very rough again from cold
start and rough idle didn't go away even after I drove it for a while .. cel came on after
30 miles then I got the code for p0300 p0301 p0302 p0303 p0304 and p0313 is the
pending code for fuel low . now I have been reading alot post here about the rough idle
problem here . my car only runs rough on idle . once I start going the engine feels fine
and no power lost but only idle really rough like it about to choke but it just dosn't die
on me ( I guess it's a good thing ) last time I took the car into dealer to get two valve
changed for supercharge system , that was 3 month ago I check with the SA all the
recall has been done on my car ( but I will check again just to see if SA miss anything )
so I guess that would be the fuel system that's causing the problem . and the code I
got was from a scan tool ( should I have my friends put on the start system to see if
there is anymore code ?) ....update ....today I cleared the code and drove
for awhile now only one code comes up P0010 camshaft position actuator
bank 1 /open ??? I guess the cam ps is bad ??? I check the sensor it's dry no oil leak please help
:confu sed:
first there wasn't any cel on , then after i drive for a while the car went fine , on
saturday i went to start the car in the afternoom , it runs very rough again from cold
start and rough idle didn't go away even after I drove it for a while .. cel came on after
30 miles then I got the code for p0300 p0301 p0302 p0303 p0304 and p0313 is the
pending code for fuel low . now I have been reading alot post here about the rough idle
problem here . my car only runs rough on idle . once I start going the engine feels fine
and no power lost but only idle really rough like it about to choke but it just dosn't die
on me ( I guess it's a good thing ) last time I took the car into dealer to get two valve
changed for supercharge system , that was 3 month ago I check with the SA all the
recall has been done on my car ( but I will check again just to see if SA miss anything )
so I guess that would be the fuel system that's causing the problem . and the code I
got was from a scan tool ( should I have my friends put on the start system to see if
there is anymore code ?) ....update ....today I cleared the code and drove
for awhile now only one code comes up P0010 camshaft position actuator
bank 1 /open ??? I guess the cam ps is bad ??? I check the sensor it's dry no oil leak please help
:confu sed:
Member
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 76
Likes: 1
Mercedes C230K 05
Junior Member
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 35
Likes: 0
From: Norcal, 40 miles from the bay
2002 C230K, 2006 VZ800
boyang,
P300-p304 are misfire codes. With p300 the multiple misfire code and 301-304 the cylinder misfire codes.
P0010 is a VVT or VCT malfunction code. Here is a pull from the web:
A code P0010 may mean that one or more of the following has happened:
* Faulty oil control valve (OCV)
* Open or short in the VVT/VCT circuit
* Open or short in the OCV / solenoid valve
* Damaged computer (PCM)
And:
Some recommended troubleshooting and repair steps are:
* Carefully inspect the Bank 1 VVT/VCT system circuit wiring and connectors, repair as required
* With a warm engine, test the operation of the OCV, replace/repair as needed
I know this does not really help too much but something to look into is since your car was at the dealership and they had their grubby hands in there check all connections they worked on per the work order. they might have installed the isolation harness. Maybe a connector is not plugged in all the way and the magnets are intermittently getting unplugged throwing the P0010 code, making the motor run bad and there for throwing P030x codes.
Worth a peak. Or maybe its PCM?? Na just messing.
Rom
P300-p304 are misfire codes. With p300 the multiple misfire code and 301-304 the cylinder misfire codes.
P0010 is a VVT or VCT malfunction code. Here is a pull from the web:
A code P0010 may mean that one or more of the following has happened:
* Faulty oil control valve (OCV)
* Open or short in the VVT/VCT circuit
* Open or short in the OCV / solenoid valve
* Damaged computer (PCM)
And:
Some recommended troubleshooting and repair steps are:
* Carefully inspect the Bank 1 VVT/VCT system circuit wiring and connectors, repair as required
* With a warm engine, test the operation of the OCV, replace/repair as needed
I know this does not really help too much but something to look into is since your car was at the dealership and they had their grubby hands in there check all connections they worked on per the work order. they might have installed the isolation harness. Maybe a connector is not plugged in all the way and the magnets are intermittently getting unplugged throwing the P0010 code, making the motor run bad and there for throwing P030x codes.
Worth a peak. Or maybe its PCM?? Na just messing.
Rom
Newbie
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
C230K
TSB done
i have a 2004 c230k coupe with 78000 miles. CEL came on, checked pre cat O2 sensor connector and it had lost of oil. CEL codes were P1038 and P0171.
took to dealer. they said the cam sensors are leaking.
they replaced:
ME computer (engine computer)
engine wiring harness
2 fuel injectors
both O2 sensors
other sensors that i dont know what they do
installed the adapter wiring harnesses on cam sensors
i never had to ask, they just did it all without question.
but they didn't replace the leaking cam sensors. i'll have to do that some day...
took to dealer. they said the cam sensors are leaking.
they replaced:
ME computer (engine computer)
engine wiring harness
2 fuel injectors
both O2 sensors
other sensors that i dont know what they do
installed the adapter wiring harnesses on cam sensors
i never had to ask, they just did it all without question.
but they didn't replace the leaking cam sensors. i'll have to do that some day...
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Super Member
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 720
Likes: 0
Saab 900 SE
If you guys PM your VIN if your having these issues, I can see if you have been added to the recall, it was widened and extended to a broader range of cars, Ive run 28 VMIs and 4 cars had it that hadnt
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 321
Likes: 0
From: LA/San Fernando Valley
2003 C230K Sedan
Newbie
Joined: Oct 2019
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
W203 C200 Kompressor Year 2003
That's good the ECU is clean, yet was it before you brought the car in? They probably cleaned it.
Looks like neither the isolating cable were installed nor the engine harness replaced.
I'd ask them to:
1. Check the O2 sensor connectors.
2. if there is any oil in those connectors, demand the engine harness and O2 sensors be replaced. Otherwise this is just a problem you'll encounter later on as the rest of the oil works its way out of the harness and ruins the sender in the O2 sensor connectors.
3. The isolating cable was probably not installed cause your engine build # does not match the TSB. Demand that they are, especially since the cam sensors are the exact same part # of the ones that leak, and will leak again.
Your Service manager will complain that he cannot install parts that do not match the TSB. That's when you get him to call the district manager and complain yourself, that its unacceptable to fix a part with the same part known to fail.
You're going to have to get confrontational for this to happen, they will not offer this fix themselves. MB has gotten very cheap, hoping to pass these failures along to the customer after warranty expires.
Good luck.
Looks like neither the isolating cable were installed nor the engine harness replaced.
I'd ask them to:
1. Check the O2 sensor connectors.
2. if there is any oil in those connectors, demand the engine harness and O2 sensors be replaced. Otherwise this is just a problem you'll encounter later on as the rest of the oil works its way out of the harness and ruins the sender in the O2 sensor connectors.
3. The isolating cable was probably not installed cause your engine build # does not match the TSB. Demand that they are, especially since the cam sensors are the exact same part # of the ones that leak, and will leak again.
Your Service manager will complain that he cannot install parts that do not match the TSB. That's when you get him to call the district manager and complain yourself, that its unacceptable to fix a part with the same part known to fail.
You're going to have to get confrontational for this to happen, they will not offer this fix themselves. MB has gotten very cheap, hoping to pass these failures along to the customer after warranty expires.
Good luck.
I've replaced the Camshaft Sensors but oil has gone down the wiring harness into the ECU. Getting the ECU refurbished is not a problem. However, I just cannot find out the Part Number for the Harness.
The local Motor EElectrics Mechanic can fit it for about £250.00 but I dont know how to get the harness. The only number I could find on a cable that was interconnected to the ECU had - A271 150 1833 - on it but I dont know if thats what I need.
Can you help me please?
Thanks
Albert
Newbie
Joined: Apr 2021
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
C180 With M271 2005
C180 code P0107.
Hi, new Benz owner and new to forum. I just bought a 2004 C180 with the M271 engine and hàve been doing homework on the common faults and mods needed.I noticed the altitude sensor on outside of air box was unplugged so plugged back in. Immediately got rough idle and lots of 'hunting'. No CEL so checked codes and it is throwing P0107, lean on #1. It idles smoothly with sensor unplugged. I have read about oil leak from cam magnets, $12 hose and various vacuum leaks. Was ready to try tackle these one by one when I saw some recall info regarding all these common faults. However, I cannot find recall check for cars made for Thailand. Vin comes up unknown on US and EU sites.Does anybody here have access to recall info for SE Asia by chance? My vin is WDB2030466A696146. It would be incredible to get the car up to scratch via recall. Thanks guys in advance.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 1,489
Likes: 110
From: WNY
2005 w203 C230
Here in the States we have a lot of consumer protection - similar recalls were not even offered to Canada.
I would suggest an email to your dealer, MB of Thailand or possible checking the Thailand commission of vehicles.
I would change the front cam magnets and put pig tail adaptors on it yesterday. I recently changed mine after finding oil in the plug end.
I would suggest an email to your dealer, MB of Thailand or possible checking the Thailand commission of vehicles.
I would change the front cam magnets and put pig tail adaptors on it yesterday. I recently changed mine after finding oil in the plug end.
Newbie
Joined: Feb 2022
Posts: 8
Likes: 7
2012 E320
My service manager has said he didn't see one till this year, yet now has seen enough. Seems to be becoming a common problem on the M271 and are showing signs of it after 4-5 years and/or 100K kms of driving.
The leak is through the connector. The seal inside the sensor breaksdown and leaks oil into the electronics that seaps out into the connector. There will be NO visible signs of a leak unless you disconnect the sensor and find oil in the connector.
Want it replaced under warranty? Squirt oil into the connector.
Want everything replaced? Squirt oil into the MAF, O2 sensors, ECU, crank sensor, ... enough so that it all fails.
I do not condone this.
WRONG the replacement is the same part number with no update. The part has not been fixed to not leak.
This is why slammer/Ed should be mad. They replaced the cam sensors only to have them leak again in 4 years. The isolating cable doesn't prevent a leak, it only prevents it from leaking into the engine harness. Instead next time it'll leak down the front of the engine and onto the belts!
The leak is through the connector. The seal inside the sensor breaksdown and leaks oil into the electronics that seaps out into the connector. There will be NO visible signs of a leak unless you disconnect the sensor and find oil in the connector.
Want it replaced under warranty? Squirt oil into the connector.
Want everything replaced? Squirt oil into the MAF, O2 sensors, ECU, crank sensor, ... enough so that it all fails.
I do not condone this.
WRONG the replacement is the same part number with no update. The part has not been fixed to not leak.
This is why slammer/Ed should be mad. They replaced the cam sensors only to have them leak again in 4 years. The isolating cable doesn't prevent a leak, it only prevents it from leaking into the engine harness. Instead next time it'll leak down the front of the engine and onto the belts!
Member
Joined: May 2021
Posts: 121
Likes: 22
From: Melbourne, Vic, Australia
C230K M271 CL203 2003 model
The magnets can leak from multiple locations. Silcone sealant can help stop the leaks, also the addition of a cable pigtail, on the cable connector, can stop the leaks getting into the harness and ECU!
Last edited by tkid; Aug 15, 2022 at 08:44 PM.
Newbie
Joined: Apr 2021
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
C180 With M271 2005
Thanks BF JC230. I followed your advice and dealers basically said none of these US or EU recalls are valid in Thailand. Therefore, I went ahead and did the changes myself. Still does not like me plugging in the altitude sensor. Have checked all wiring in the harness and all earths. Short and long term trims all within +-10% and gas mileage seems pretty good. No codes on STAR apart from altitude sensor unplugged. All a bit of a mystery. Changed plugs, oil, filters etc. Cleaned MAF and replaced $12 hose and EGR bypass. Cleaned throttle body and EGR valve. Engine runs smooth and acceleration good but plug that darn altitude sensor in and it chugs at idle. I have tried 3 different altitude sensors to no avail. Cannot find any vacuum leaks but would expect that if there was a major leak then I would still have a rough idle regardless if altitude sensor attached or not.
Newbie
Joined: Dec 2023
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
W211
Okay, just made a trip back to the dealer. SA put it in for me, free of charge. 2-minute job.
2 271-150-27-33 Starter Line
The lines look like they were kinda designed last-minute by MB (or their supplier). Just a 15cm extension, with a loose rubber sheath over the wires that is slightly shorter than the plugs (ie it can slide around), probably to catch some oil.
Yup, he just popped the hood, folded the new lines in half, tucked them in, and zip-tied them. This can easily be DIYed, just be sure not to let the additional wiring touch the belts, it gets awfully close!
See pics for closeups.
2 271-150-27-33 Starter Line
The lines look like they were kinda designed last-minute by MB (or their supplier). Just a 15cm extension, with a loose rubber sheath over the wires that is slightly shorter than the plugs (ie it can slide around), probably to catch some oil.
Yup, he just popped the hood, folded the new lines in half, tucked them in, and zip-tied them. This can easily be DIYed, just be sure not to let the additional wiring touch the belts, it gets awfully close!
See pics for closeups.
Perhaps you remember where the connector end is kept? I'm following the wire but it goes in the middle some thick seals with other 3 wires.
Newbie
Joined: Jun 2023
Posts: 10
Likes: 0
From: Buenos Aires, Argentina
500 SEC
My W204 estate also has leaking cam magnets, I have purchased the correct parts. Just a quick question should special Silcone paste for seals RTV Sensor safe be used on the new magnets when screwing them back in to ensure a better seal?
Newbie
Joined: Aug 2024
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
C180K W203 2003 M271
Good day. I am experiencing this issue with my car at the moment. B6/7 (Right exhaust camshaft hall sensor), no signal p0365 and Y49/3(Camshaft exhaust solenoid), short circuit to positive p0020.
Last edited by Jerome.Hindley; Aug 2, 2024 at 02:22 PM.
