C-Class (W203) 2001-2007, C160, C180, C200, C220, C230, C240, C270, C280, C300, C320, C230K, C350, Coupe

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Old Apr 4, 2009 | 08:22 AM
  #1  
wessamzeidan's Avatar
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Mercedes C230 Kompressor Sedan 2003
Need experts help

I read on the forums that the M271 engines have the cam sensors leaking. I'm not sure if I have this issue so I took photos of my engine for the experts here to give me their opinions

Here they are






I can't tell if these are leaking or not. Can you please help me out with this.


I also found this



Does this mean I need to change it?

Thanks
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Old Apr 4, 2009 | 08:40 AM
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late 2009 CLK 350 Coupe Elegance, '65 Jaguar S Type wires
Change that pipe. To check for leaking sensors pull off the plugs & look for signs of oil. If not leaking yet - fit pigtales to keep oil out of wiring harness.

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Old Apr 4, 2009 | 09:09 AM
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Mercedes C230 Kompressor Sedan 2003
Sorry if my question is stupid, but exactly what are the pigtails? In the photo you attached, there are connectors that I don't seem to have, the ones that are tied to the plugs...

If I find a leak, what should be done next?
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Old Apr 4, 2009 | 10:03 AM
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Mercedes C230 Kompressor Sedan 2003
So I did remove one of the plugs, at first I thought no leaking. I sticked my finger inside where the plug goes, and found oil traces on my finger, then I noticed a drop of oil below the plug, marked red in the below pic



So I guess it is leaking, right?
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Old Apr 4, 2009 | 10:34 AM
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Most people know it's leaking when the oil travels to the O2 sensor, kills it and gives you a bad O2 sensor code but by then it's too late. Sounds like you are lucky and caught it before that happened. Changing them is not that hard and the sensors are not expensive (check parts.com for genuine MB parts, lower prices). Also other the extensions that are in the tech bulletin (search the forum, part number are abound) and get those to prevent the leak from spreading into the harness for next time.
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Old Apr 4, 2009 | 04:41 PM
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From: Llandudno, Cape Town, South Africa
late 2009 CLK 350 Coupe Elegance, '65 Jaguar S Type wires
Change the cam sensors for new ones & fit these "pigtales". Clean connectors & engine harness with switch cleaner or similar. Zip tie pigtales so they can't come into contact with the Poly V belt.




Last edited by Glyn M Ruck; Apr 4, 2009 at 04:43 PM.
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Old Apr 4, 2009 | 04:53 PM
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The cam sensors are those 2 round things that are stuck to the engine, not the connectors, right?
But I still need to get the new connectors too.
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Old Apr 4, 2009 | 05:52 PM
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late 2009 CLK 350 Coupe Elegance, '65 Jaguar S Type wires
Yes - You need to replace those two round sensors - clean the plugs on the engine harness of all traces of oil - plug the pigtales to the engine harness plug - then plug the other end of each pigtale to the new sensors. Then tie the pigtales out of the way so they cannot get caught in the belt. Then if your cam sensors leak again the oil won't creep down the harness & damage O2 sensors or ECU etc.
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Old Apr 4, 2009 | 06:04 PM
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Mercedes C230 Kompressor Sedan 2003
Thanks a lot guys, will do that.

But as I understood, even if I change the cam sensors, they might still leak, isn't there a fix for this that won't allow them to leak?
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Old Apr 4, 2009 | 07:25 PM
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No - There is still a possible problem in the future. Benz have never resolved this problem 100%. It is my impression that they are better than they used to be but there is still a chance of leaks as they age.
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Old Apr 4, 2009 | 07:57 PM
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Thanks Glyn.
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Old Apr 4, 2009 | 10:54 PM
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Can someone direct me to where I can buy the pigtails? I have searched on the sites recommended and can't find them. I tried the site nplamg suggested in his "cold start rough idle" thread and no dice. I would really like to buy them as my car has a leaking cam sensor on the right side.
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Old Apr 5, 2009 | 09:04 AM
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Try your dealer - the prices have apparently come down in the US
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