W203E35

Thanks, I appreciate it. You cant beat 20 something dollars at RMEuropean

W203E35

Thanks John,

I replaced the magnet yesterday and today early morning went for a drive and had no check engine light. Easiest thing I ever changed was this magnet .

Also a little info John had mentioned to me was the top one is the Intake and the bottom is the Exhaust. Throwing this out there for future members. Starting to hear more problems with this Camshaft crap.

Heads up:
I paid 30 bucks at he dealer and online I would have saved 2 bucks (including shipping) but didn't want to wait.

NikleinR6

Just wanted to say that this thread is awesome... I have had this check engine light come and go on my C230 sport for about 9 months now.. When I finally pulled the code, without reading this thread 1st , I would have most definitely bought the camshaft sensor thinking it was the problem and wasted a couple hundred bucks... The magnet was very easy to replace, and I can't believe how much smoother the car runs on a cold start now... I guess I just never realized how rough it was running....Anyway thanks again very much John for figuring this out....No check engine light for me now...

pcy

During the Christmas-to-NewYear's break, we drove from New Hampshire to Orlando, Florida - little over 1300 miles each direction. We used the '07 C280 (M272) for this trip. While on our way there, about half way, I got the "Check Engine" light. Pulled over and checked with OBD-II reader. The code I got was "P0012 A Camshaft Position Timing Over-Retarded Bank 1". I remember reading these posts earlier. I erased the code; I wanted to see if it would come back. Continued on with my trip. Went to DisneyWorld for 7 days, returned back to NH. Took me 19 hours drive straight.

Check Engine light came back today with the following code "P0011 A Camshaft Position Timing Over-advanced or System Performance Bank 1".

I will order the magnets for the camshaft adjusters.

Glyn M Ruck

Yes - I would toss all 4 magnets while you are in there.

johnand

+1. The parts are cheap and easy to replace. Be done with the known bad parts in one shot.

pcy

These magnets (and the sensors, if necessary) are easy to replace on the Bank 1 (passenger side). However, to replace these magnets on the drivers side, you would have to remove the oil cooler (for one magnet) and remove the PS fluid reservoir (for the other magnet). For now, I will replace both the magnets on the passenger side, because they are easily accessible. I don't see any other way of replacing the magnets on the drivers side without having to remove the oil cooler and the PS fluid reservoir.

I replaced the o-ring on one of magnets (because it was leaking oil) on the drivers side about 6 months ago - I had to remove the oil cooler. When I removed the oil cooler, half the coolant also came out.

dewdaltz

Been reading all the "P0012" codes history. And I am trying to DIY these Camshaft Position- Timing Over Retarded Bank 1. Attached is the pics of my engine. Trying to figure it out the Bank 1. Let me know on where can I find the magnet Part no. 272 051 01 77.

pcy

Bank 1 is the passenger side. I marked the camshaft adjuster magnets with a red arrow in the attached picture. 3 Torx screws hold each of the magnet in place.

RMeuropean dot com has these 'Camshaft adjuster magnet' for $21. I just ordered.

dewdaltz

Just this afternoon after I checked the response of PCY, went to MB Parts to buy 2camshaft adjuster magnet for $26.00 each for bank 1 (passenger side). It took me less than 20 minutes for both to replace. Now, it seems that the "little" vibration is gone. Lets wait and see if it will come back. hope not. Thank you guys for your very B I G help. By the way, this was for my 06 R 350.

Oracle

John my CLK350 just started with this same thing. I've read your entire thread - man have you saved a lot of people a lot of money!

But let me make sure I get this right before ordering ... Part # 2720510177 calls itself a sensor, but you say it is actually the magnet? And I should replace two on bank 1? And I will find them located when I remove the engine part #140?

dewdaltz

Update: Until now NO error so far and I dont see anymore message "check oil level". Maybe that is also part of the problem that I have low oil level message. AGAIN.....I would like to thank ALL MB world fanatics who shared their time and ideas to this forum.

Glyn M Ruck

Yes - for us tech types, we don't have heart failure when a CEL comes on & this problem does not make driveability poor but for peace of mind & no CEL's when you least expect them I think changing all 4 makes sense.

pcy

"Low Oil" message has nothing to do with the camshaft position sensors or magnets. If you had low oil message prior to replacing the camshaft position magnet, the issue related to low oil has not been resolved. You will get that message again. If your car has oil level checking dipstick, check the oil level.

dewdaltz

My mistake. It did not say "low Oil". I think it says " check oil on your next refill" But when I check my oil after 2-3 hours the level is at the minimal. I just dont know/understand why its giving me that error. But as far as I am concerned it seems that all these monster errors are gone for now, maybe? Thanks anyway for the clarfication. Its a learning process.

maimyke

I have 05 C230 k and my CEL went on and off for a few months camshaft code came up and the car then jumped time. and chain rail broke too . still not running right. bogg down sometime and now CEL 1 and4 misfire

Strictly4Boosti

Magnet & Solenoid are called the same thing? Sorry just confused, just want to be subscribed so if it happens to me on the long run. I am at 69k on a C230 with a production date of 09/07 ... ill chime in if it happens to me ..

Cheb44

So does anyone have a good solution for replacing the drivers side magnets or am I going to have to remove the cooler? I appreciate the thread btw saved me money on the cam sensor, hopefully as long as I can get it replaced lol.

indigo_kid

Dude I just replaced both of my driver side magnets without removing the steeeing fluid reservoir or the oil cooler. its as easy as the pass side. (Ive noticed that WIS sometimew makes u go the long way)

Just use a size 1/4 wrench to loosen the bolts behind the oil cooler and reservoir! But dont use the open end of the wrench use the socket side. any standard 12 sided wrench fits the 6 sided hex/torx bolts like a glove.

Once loose the magnets pop right out and clear the obstructing objects pretty easily.

Hope it helps.
Peace!

*EDIT*
dude I just got out ove bed n go to the garage to confirm that it is fact a 1/4 in size wrench.

Moreover, I uses genuine MB parts and they already came with the o-rings.

And to the dude in post above, yes magnets are called solenoids by MB.

Peace dudes!

Cheb44

I had thought of that but didn't really let it click.
Thanks

Glyn M Ruck

Good tip & saves a lot of work.

pcy

Thanks for the suggestion. I am aware of the fact 12-sided wrenches fits torx bolts. I used the 12-sided wrench for the alternator bolt when I couldn't find torx 14 size.

Yes, this route beats having to remove the oil cooler and PS reservoir.

Thanks again for pointing this.

tWaves

I have this same issue on a c280. I hate to take this to the dealer ($$$$) because it's out of warrenty, but don't want someone butchering it either Is this something a local mechanic can handle?

johnand

Yes, should be a piece of cake for most local mechanics to handle.

kokinos

I got codes P0016 and P0017. 1200 and 1208 from Star. I replaced the magnets on passenger side and check engine light is going off still. The check engine light is intermittent and I see no real difference in performance. What should be my next step?