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FYI, in SDS the EIN camshaft position while warm and in idle should be between (26-30).
I had a CEL, and a bunch of codes (Initially P0018) and the cause was a bad intake adjuster (In SDS it would say the camshaft is stuck in advanced position).
In 2016, It all started gradually. First, the engine started to vibrate like it had bad mounts only in gear while stopped, no CEL, no codes, and a steady RPM, then, out of the blue I started getting the adjuster startup rattle. In September 2018, after a cold start, the intake cam went out of position and and I would get new codes each time I start the car. Car felt really slow and the exhaust was resonating very badly. I could even notice the sound difference between the two banks (since the ML63 has no crossover). Similarly, the car DID NOT have the AMG bark anymore, or the whip sound effect and all the pops and crackles.
The engine had the early adjusters # 1560503047. Replaced both CAs with # 1560503647 and the car is better than ever, performance and sound wise. even the vibration is gone.
All these codes due to a bad EIN CA. Bank 1 EIN CA Bank 2 EIN CA !Notice the wear! Bank 1 vs Bank 2
IMO If you have no CEL or codes why worry about it now. If something is wrong the ECU will report it. If you want to diagnose the VVT system, I would start by swapping the solenoids and check if anything changes. Next, would be trying to replace the cam position sensor it costs around 40$-70$. Finally would be to physically inspect the timing, but if you went through all the hassle why not replace the adjusters ?
If you notice in the DTC screenshot I uploaded, the two banks are fighting each other, one is rich while the other is lean. Moreover, the fuel trims were going crazy, Bank1 LFT was -27 and Bank2 LFT was +15. Having opposing fuel trims can be a sign of timing issues. Finally, the intake manifold pressure in warm idle was about 54 kpa. The factory range should be between 28-45 Kpa.
Replacing the adjuster fixed all that!
If you notice in the DTC screenshot I uploaded, the two banks are fighting each other, one is rich while the other is lean. Moreover, the fuel trims were going crazy, Bank1 LFT was -27 and Bank2 LFT was +15. Having opposing fuel trims can be a sign of timing issues. Finally, the intake manifold pressure in warm idle was about 54 kpa. The factory range should be between 28-45 Kpa.
Replacing the adjuster fixed all that!
I'm starting to get rattle on that bank and I'm about 1 month away from my cpo warranty running out.
the car runs fine and pulls hard but it just not as loud and barky as it used to be.there is definitely something going on since I'm not seeing anything close to what my other bank is showing.
I will mess with it in sds and see if I can get it to flag a code for the dealership.
Also no pending or stored codes so far
Your pictures above is most likely exactly what my chatter is.
Car is at the dealership now. I'm hoping they replace cams and adjusters. I'm getting that rattle on starts again and the car will do it on hot starts.