Camshift - Major Issue
Camshift - Major Issue
I own a 2020 C300 which was purchased in 07/2020. Due to the pandemic, the car has very low mileage. On 1/24/2025, the check engine went on and I immediately went to the dealership to have it diagnose. The issue is a p054a00 cam code and its basically a totally rebuild with an estimate of $15k. MBUSA denied the dealership any good will. I am in the process of opening up a case with MBUSA for further review.
I understand the car is theoretically "out of warranty" from a time perspective but 20,700 miles !!!!!
As anyone else have similar issues with their camshafts?
I understand the car is theoretically "out of warranty" from a time perspective but 20,700 miles !!!!!
As anyone else have similar issues with their camshafts?
I agree where is the good will for such a low mileage? I recommend you take the car to a normal mechanic does not have to be a dealer see what he says. Does the car drive? What is wrong with it
The car has an estimate of 15K of repairs based on the diagnostic cam codes. It can't be driven for any length of time. So how can I be happy with a car that has 20K miles and needs basically a motor rebuild.
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Joined: Feb 2017
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From: Baltimore County, MD
'13 s212 63 p30. '06 LX470
Time to find a recommendation for an independent mechanic that can help you out with this and explain what the cam codes are actually saying. Perhaps it’s the reluctor ring on the camshaft and you can find somebody to do a backyard fix, or if it’s literally just a camshaft and that’s it, the independent will have you fixed up for a fraction of the price. Even an oe camshaft is not that expensive and many times there’s an alternative way to repair sequencing than the manual states. For a 15k bill, I’d be replacing it myself over a weekend and learn a new repair.
good luck and I know how you feel because I once long ago purchased a CPO 06 BMW 330xi and the engine died just out of warranty and they told me to go F myself. I haven’t driven a BMW since.. in that case, it had higher mileage but pristine maintenance history, and you could eat off of the inside of the engine. Turns out it was a one year engine for a couple models and they were all turds. When the mechanic tried to replace the engine, both engines he got had the same exact issue. I dumped it and got my 1st E 55 about 10 years ago.. haven’t looked back in my case but I avoid issues with preemptive maintenance and DIY.
good luck. You’ll find an easier solution. I think you need to find out the real mechanical her issue first.
good luck and I know how you feel because I once long ago purchased a CPO 06 BMW 330xi and the engine died just out of warranty and they told me to go F myself. I haven’t driven a BMW since.. in that case, it had higher mileage but pristine maintenance history, and you could eat off of the inside of the engine. Turns out it was a one year engine for a couple models and they were all turds. When the mechanic tried to replace the engine, both engines he got had the same exact issue. I dumped it and got my 1st E 55 about 10 years ago.. haven’t looked back in my case but I avoid issues with preemptive maintenance and DIY.
good luck. You’ll find an easier solution. I think you need to find out the real mechanical her issue first.
Last edited by Baltistyle; Jan 31, 2025 at 09:01 PM.
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Well you did not say what was wrong with the car other than your check engine went on. As I said you only went to the Stealership so you need to see non stealership mechanic and see what they say. Remember stealership don't fix they basically change parts even if the parts or system can be repaired.
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Joined: Feb 2017
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From: Baltimore County, MD
'13 s212 63 p30. '06 LX470
He very clearly states what the problem is in his original post. He has a camshaft deviation code. The question now is what caused this code. Is it a reluctor ring spinning. Is it an oil pump issue, is the whole engine destroyed? Has there been further diagnosis to say this was just a camshaft and if so, just the camshaft is not expensive. If something like oil starvation caused the camshaft issue, what type of debris went through the engine and what else needs to be fixed such as bearings, timing chain, heads or other.
op, is there a written estimate saying what the 15k entails? And op, if you can get some of the oil that is in your engine over to an oil analysis company, they could also help determine the shape of the engine..
op, is there a written estimate saying what the 15k entails? And op, if you can get some of the oil that is in your engine over to an oil analysis company, they could also help determine the shape of the engine..
Last edited by Baltistyle; Feb 1, 2025 at 09:42 AM.
He very clearly states what the problem is in his original post. He has a camshaft deviation code. The question now is what caused this code. Is it a reluctor ring spinning. Is it an oil pump issue, is the whole engine destroyed? Has there been further diagnosis to say this was just a camshaft and if so, just the camshaft is not expensive. If something like oil starvation caused the camshaft issue, what type of debris went through the engine and what else needs to be fixed such as bearings, timing chain, heads or other.
op, is there a written estimate saying what the 15k entails? And op, if you can get some of the oil that is in your engine over to an oil analysis company, they could also help determine the shape of the engine..
op, is there a written estimate saying what the 15k entails? And op, if you can get some of the oil that is in your engine over to an oil analysis company, they could also help determine the shape of the engine..
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Joined: Feb 2017
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From: Baltimore County, MD
'13 s212 63 p30. '06 LX470
i’m sure you could read that he got a code for the camshaft and then took the car right in. You could probably also understand that he would have to turn his car on in order to get that code. By driving the car to the dealer, you could assume that it drives and shifts.
you wanna drive around with a check engine light like a cheap *** for years, let’s make sure not to take advice from you for repairs. He very clearly got a camshaft code and you’re asking him if the car shifts, lol! Gonna ask him if he has a flat tire or torn leather seats?
Reading comprehension is a skill that has been lost.
i’m sure you could read that he got a code for the camshaft and then took the car right in. You could probably also understand that he would have to turn his car on in order to get that code. By driving the car to the dealer, you could assume that it drives and shifts.
you wanna drive around with a check engine light like a cheap *** for years, let’s make sure not to take advice from you for repairs. He very clearly got a camshaft code and you’re asking him if the car shifts, lol! Gonna ask him if he has a flat tire or torn leather seats?
i’m sure you could read that he got a code for the camshaft and then took the car right in. You could probably also understand that he would have to turn his car on in order to get that code. By driving the car to the dealer, you could assume that it drives and shifts.
you wanna drive around with a check engine light like a cheap *** for years, let’s make sure not to take advice from you for repairs. He very clearly got a camshaft code and you’re asking him if the car shifts, lol! Gonna ask him if he has a flat tire or torn leather seats?
The car must be taken to a non-dealer as dealers do not fix things they only replace parts to make more money. Please stay within the ethics of this forum and stay professional.
Last edited by Andy74; Feb 3, 2025 at 07:50 PM.
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Joined: Feb 2017
Posts: 2,289
Likes: 1,196
From: Baltimore County, MD
'13 s212 63 p30. '06 LX470
useless comments with no point made whatsoever the car drives all good but needs an engine rebuilt how people naif beleiving whatever the stealership says and the cheap *** is yourself. its my engine don't stick your nose in it BTW my check engine was due to to some dirt in the exhaust system got if fixed at a descent mechanic the dealer wanted me to change the whole exhaust system at 5500 usd
The car must be taken to a non-dealer as dealers do not fix things they only replace parts to make more money. Please stay within the ethics of this forum and stay professional.
The car must be taken to a non-dealer as dealers do not fix things they only replace parts to make more money. Please stay within the ethics of this forum and stay professional.
Do you have any diagnostic advice to add or are you just trying to show us how many words you typed without proper punctuation? You literally have not made one statement to address what could possibly cause a camshaft code. Good luck to you and your check engine lights. Maybe you can use the car to hang up around the house for Christmas lights. Please don’t tell me how to act on a forum in a thread where you’ve done nothing to help anyone and clearly have not read or addressed the thread.





