Tommy Tucker

Hey guys. some background info here. I have a completely stock 2002 c32 with 135K miles, I always check here for information and DIY help but Ive been searching and testing theories all day to no avail. It started the other night I had driven about 20 miles on the highway and everything was pefectly normal, I pulled up to a light and after about 10 seconds the car started to shutter and the CEL came on. I drove it another 10 miles or so with very little power and shaking under any sort of throttle.I parked it, next morning i started it and drove it about 10 miles with no issues. it then started to act up again (misfiring) Once I got it home I took the air box off and started disconnecting the coils one at a time while the engine was running. I had disconncected all 3 on the left side of the motor (right side if standing at the bumper) with no change in idle (still idling rough and trying to stall) meaning that NONE of those 3 cyl were firing. hooked them all back up, same result. CEL codes read cyl 4 5 6 misfire. I had read that the Cats can get glogged so i unbolted the left side exhaust... still missing. Ive checked all fuses. Voltage at the coils is aroun 1.4-1.8V so it seems they are getting power. You can also smell the fuel in the exhaust. Besides it needing new wires and plugs that doesnt answer why all 3 cyl would drop at the same time. I dont have any loss of coolant either. Any suggestions or help would much appreciated!!!!!

Tommy Tucker

forgot to mention I swapped one of the coil packs to the other side and was working so I dont believe the coils are bad... at least that 1.

Lenin

Have you tried clearing the codes using the STAR system and starting the car again?

Tommy Tucker

I have cleared them with a generic code reader and they return but it has not been hooked up to STAR that will be my text step I think at this point. There is a shop down the road that has it and has diagnosed a different issue on my car but he does charge a bit for the diag.

Tommy Tucker

UPDATE: pulled both amg plenum covers off to find them CAKED with green gunk, guess that explains my slow coolant loss. I wonder if this is reltated to the issue =[

fccthawk

Happened to me several years ago. You have an intercooler leak. I hade valve damage on one cylinder and it would the ECU would shut the cylinder down. I think it is related. I would replace the valves and clean up the heads.

Tommy Tucker

I was trying to keep this thread updated since I see so many threads go unfinished or unanswered, I found that cyl 6 has no compression. I havent performed the leak down test yet so I'm not sure of the culprit yet. Could be the faulty 2002 cams but I wont know until the head comes off. And yes the gunk was definetly from the intercooler leaking as well

Lenin

Unfortunately, I know how you feel. You will need to take off alot more to know if it's the cams. The only way to tell is to take out the cam. And once you do that, just replace it with a new version.

Tommy Tucker

I havent taken the head off yet because I do not have the cam gear alignment tools that the service manual suggests, has anyone taken the cams out without using those?

loudandheard

You can get the cam tool on ebay. http://www.ebay.com/itm/Mercedes-Ben...f028aa&vxp=mtr

Tommy Tucker

I did see those on ebay, however I would like to know if they are in fact necessary

dre5373

In my opinion, yes, they are required if you are removing the cams. The cam locators have tabs that line up with the cam gear keyway to make sure your timing is spot on. Why take the chance of making a bad situation exponentially worse by not doing it right?

If you do get the kit off Ebay, would suggest that you not rely on the wrench provided. I got the same kit for my cam swap and the wrench provided bent EASILY. Fortunately we had a thin (27mm?) open ended wrench available.

If you don't have one, the pulley holders available on Ebay worked fine for my stock pulley. I did have to mod it a bit for the aftermarket pulley though...

If you need them I can print and scan the StarTek instructions fror you.

Nevermind, just reread that you have the instructions. FYI, if they are the Kleemann cam instructions, they make no mention of Mercedes' recommendations to NOT reuse the cam bridge bolts!

Good luck

Tommy Tucker

yes I have the kleeman instructions I was't aware of the bolt thing, I also have the srt6 manual I'll have to see if that mentions it

dre5373

See attached from the StarTek DVD, 4th line down I think.

Tommy Tucker

thanks ^^ I finally got the cam and bridge out tonight what a PITA it was to get the alternator out of the way to get the 27mm socket and ratchet in there! I should know tomorrow when I get the T-55 socket to get the head off whats going on with it. Im pretty sure its a bent valve so along with changing that I will be in the market for a new cam (probably)

Tommy Tucker

UPDATE: Got the the head off, found the problem. cyl# 6 exhaust valve has about a 20 degree bend in it. I took the head over to my neighbor who is also the shop foreman at the local Mbz dealer. He said the guide looked good and the only reasonable explanation for its brief encounter with the piston would be from over-reving the motor. I was pretty hard on the car night before it broke and with almost 140K miles I believe the aging valve spring probably could'nt keep up. Parts and gaskets for reassembly will be ordered tomorrow and hopefully have the car running by the end of the week. Here is what the piston and valve looked like

Lenin

I hope I'm wrong but that was the exact same reaction that I initially got.
If you did not read this already, here it: https://mbworld.org/forums/c32-amg-c...mpression.html
Change your cam on the driver side.

Tommy Tucker

I had read your thread while searching for an answer but the mechanic was pretty insistent that he didn't think I spun a lobe, also the valve does not appear to have hit more than once or twice. if this was a cam issue I would imagine it would be hitting every time the motor turned and that doesn't appear to be the case. This guy has re-written mercedes repair procedures and is one of the few who can work on the SLR's so I trust his assessment. worst case I re bend a valve and it comes apart again but I dont want to spend $670 on a cam I may not need. Hoping for the best!

c32jet

Trying to figure out my issues here... I am getting lots of misfires and believe I may have a bad intercooler. If I remove the plenum covers, do I have to get a new gasket? Can I take a quick peek to see if I have the green gunk and simply bolt it back down? I have green misty looking stuff in the hose between the airboxes and the entrance to the back top of the motor (not sure what you call that..).