C63 AMG (W204) 2008 - 2015
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

Concerns for undrilled lubrication holes in NEW OEM Camshafts

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Rate Thread
 
Old Mar 12, 2019 | 01:16 AM
  #1  
MBNRG's Avatar
Thread Starter
Super Member
10 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 808
Likes: 281
.
Concerns for undrilled lubrication holes in NEW OEM Camshafts

Make sure to check those new camshafts before installation:


Last edited by Vic55; Mar 12, 2019 at 10:07 AM.
Reply
Old Mar 12, 2019 | 08:59 AM
  #2  
Jasonoff's Avatar
MBWorld Fanatic!
10 Year Member
Liked
Community Favorite
Top Answer: 3
 
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 5,351
Likes: 1,677
From: Kitchener, ON
2010 C63 AMG
WOW...
Reply
Old Mar 12, 2019 | 09:30 AM
  #3  
Ludedude's Avatar
Senior Member
5 Year Member
Photogenic
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: May 2017
Posts: 482
Likes: 125
From: Las Vegas, NV
2014 C63 Coupe
That’s insane.
Reply
Old Mar 12, 2019 | 09:44 AM
  #4  
BLKROKT's Avatar
MBWorld Fanatic!
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 8,074
Likes: 2,867
From: Los Angeles
2012 P31 C63 Coupe Trackrat, 2019 GLE63S Coupe Beast
That’s crazy. What’s the fix? Remove valve covers and start drilling holes?

After seeing this I’ll have an even harder time believing that car manufacturers don’t build their product to eventually fail on purpose.
Reply
Old Mar 12, 2019 | 12:55 PM
  #5  
Adi-Benz's Avatar
MBWorld Fanatic!
5 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 4,761
Likes: 566
From: Milwaukee, WI
2010 C300 4MATIC........ 2011 C63 AMG.............. 2015 CLS400 4MATIC.....
Originally Posted by BLKROKT
That’s crazy. What’s the fix? Remove valve covers and start drilling holes?

After seeing this I’ll have an even harder time believing that car manufacturers don’t build their product to eventually fail on purpose.
Gosh I just had this discussion about Ford's yesterday and I didn't want to believe it, but God damn
Reply
Old Mar 12, 2019 | 12:57 PM
  #6  
NotABaller's Avatar
Super Member
 
Joined: May 2017
Posts: 900
Likes: 113
From: Toronto
2012 C63, 2014 E550
Anyone care to explain please for those of us less mechanically inclined?
Reply
Old Mar 12, 2019 | 01:10 PM
  #7  
Jasonoff's Avatar
MBWorld Fanatic!
10 Year Member
Liked
Community Favorite
Top Answer: 3
 
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 5,351
Likes: 1,677
From: Kitchener, ON
2010 C63 AMG
Originally Posted by NotABaller
Anyone care to explaTin please for those of us less mechanically inclined?
The inside of the cam is hollow for oil to pass through. Those little holes are there so oil can lubricate the bearing. If the hole is not drilled far enough, no oil will come through to the bearing.
Reply
Old Mar 12, 2019 | 01:58 PM
  #8  
BLKROKT's Avatar
MBWorld Fanatic!
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 8,074
Likes: 2,867
From: Los Angeles
2012 P31 C63 Coupe Trackrat, 2019 GLE63S Coupe Beast
Originally Posted by Jasonoff
The inside of the cam is hollow for oil to pass through. Those little holes are there so oil can lubricate the bearing. If the hole is not drilled far enough, no oil will come through to the bearing.
I’m no lawyer, but if this is found to be consistent across all M156 camshafts, I smell a class-action lawsuit or at the very least a forced recall. It’s a critical design flaw. Even more so than the headbolt debacle.
Reply
MB World Stories

The Best of Mercedes & AMG

story-0

6 Mercedes Models That Did NOT Age Well (But Are Somehow Still Cool)

 Verdad Gallardo
story-1

Manual Mercedes? 6 Times Sindelfingen Let Drivers Have All The Fun

 Verdad Gallardo
story-2

Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren

 Verdad Gallardo
story-3

8 Classic Boxy Mercedes Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine

 Verdad Gallardo
story-4

Flawlessly Restored Mercedes 190E Evo II Heads to Auction

 Verdad Gallardo
story-5

Electric Mercedes C-Class Unveiled: 11 Things You Need to Know

 Verdad Gallardo
story-6

Mercedes EQS Gets A Major Update: Everything You Need to Know

 Verdad Gallardo
story-7

5 Underrated Mercedes-Benz Models That Don't Get the Love They Deserve

 Verdad Gallardo
story-8

Mercedes 300D Has Pushed Well Past 1 Million Miles and It Ain't Stopping

 Verdad Gallardo
story-9

10 Most Reliable Mercedes-Benz Models You Can Buy Used

 Verdad Gallardo
Old Mar 12, 2019 | 02:19 PM
  #9  
sventastic82's Avatar
Super Member
10 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 681
Likes: 231
From: SC
2010 C63 AMG RIP. 2021 Toyota Tacoma TRD Off Road, 2013 C63 coupe
It's not really a design flaw as the head bolts were.

I would bet my money on that the bit which drilled the holes was damaged and partially broken off and didn't drill the hole deep enough.
If they don't do a flow check and that info isn't traced with the 2D barcode then good luck finding the bookends.


That is just going to be blown off by the manufacturer. Worst case they have to implement a poke yoke in their production step.
At best they will recall the cars if the can find the bookends.

Most likely the camshaft he used are made as a service part by the manufacturer. Which is a non standard set up for them and stuff like that happens all the time.
In that case the original camshafts shouldn't be effected if my theory is right.

Last edited by sventastic82; Mar 12, 2019 at 02:27 PM.
Reply
Old Mar 12, 2019 | 02:37 PM
  #10  
Jasonoff's Avatar
MBWorld Fanatic!
10 Year Member
Liked
Community Favorite
Top Answer: 3
 
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 5,351
Likes: 1,677
From: Kitchener, ON
2010 C63 AMG
Originally Posted by BLKROKT
I’m no lawyer, but if this is found to be consistent across all M156 camshafts, I smell a class-action lawsuit or at the very least a forced recall. It’s a critical design flaw. Even more so than the headbolt debacle.
I saw zero wear issues on my cams. I think it was mentioned in the vid about it being a problem with new (possibly updated??) M156 cams?

Either way, that's a serious problem lol.
Reply
Old Mar 12, 2019 | 02:41 PM
  #11  
Dtorre1240's Avatar
Member
 
Joined: Feb 2017
Posts: 87
Likes: 8
2009 C63 AMG, 1998 Nissan Frontier
I would love to see their "Control Plan" for this process. As industry standard, they should have higher levels of detection where there is higher chances of occurrence's. Sounds like someone didn't fill out their Potential Failure Mode and Effects Analysis honestly.
Originally Posted by sventastic82
It's not really a design flaw as the head bolts were.

I would bet my money on that the bit which drilled the holes was damaged and partially broken off and didn't drill the hole deep enough.
If they don't do a flow check and that info isn't traced with the 2D barcode then good luck finding the bookends.


That is just going to be blown off by the manufacturer. Worst case they have to implement a poke yoke in their production step.
At best they will recall the cars if the can find the bookends.

Most likely the camshaft he used are made as a service part by the manufacturer. Which is a non standard set up for them and stuff like that happens all the time.
In that case the original camshafts shouldn't be effected if my theory is right.
Reply
Old Mar 12, 2019 | 02:55 PM
  #12  
sventastic82's Avatar
Super Member
10 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 681
Likes: 231
From: SC
2010 C63 AMG RIP. 2021 Toyota Tacoma TRD Off Road, 2013 C63 coupe
Originally Posted by Dtorre1240
I would love to see their "Control Plan" for this process. As industry standard, they should have higher levels of detection where there is higher chances of occurrence's. Sounds like someone didn't fill out their Potential Failure Mode and Effects Analysis honestly.
Yes. someone talking the same language.

Definitely missed something or didn't follow something in the PFMEA. Just the potential effect of that failure should trigger a prevention and detection step.
Reply
Old Mar 12, 2019 | 03:10 PM
  #13  
BLKROKT's Avatar
MBWorld Fanatic!
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 8,074
Likes: 2,867
From: Los Angeles
2012 P31 C63 Coupe Trackrat, 2019 GLE63S Coupe Beast
No. For MB to make this right I demand an SLS BS. (going out to car to block cam oil passages now)
Reply
Old Mar 12, 2019 | 05:04 PM
  #14  
MBNRG's Avatar
Thread Starter
Super Member
10 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 808
Likes: 281
.
Ridiculous, right?!

I truly hope it is small error in just a smaller batch of bad camshafts, likely caused by incorrect drill depth setting.
But a lot of the machining at MB is probably automated, so who KNOWS how many newer camshafts are faulty.
Sven's theory of a possible broken drill bit is also very plausible.
Older camshafts do not appear to be affected.
There are reports of faulty New camshafts appearing in Germany, Australia, & Singapore (comments in Part 2 of this video above).
Then there is the possible issue of planned obsolescence. . .

The mind reels.
And I just had all camshafts replaced with New a few months ago

Last edited by MBNRG; Mar 12, 2019 at 05:07 PM.
Reply
Old Mar 12, 2019 | 05:26 PM
  #15  
BLKROKT's Avatar
MBWorld Fanatic!
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 8,074
Likes: 2,867
From: Los Angeles
2012 P31 C63 Coupe Trackrat, 2019 GLE63S Coupe Beast
Originally Posted by MBNRG
Ridiculous, right?!

I truly hope it is small error in just a smaller batch of bad camshafts, likely caused by incorrect drill depth setting.
But a lot of the machining at MB is probably automated, so who KNOWS how many newer camshafts are faulty.
Sven's theory of a possible broken drill bit is also very plausible.
Older camshafts do not appear to be affected.
There are reports of faulty New camshafts appearing in Germany, Australia, & Singapore (comments in Part 2 of this video above).
Then there is the possible issue of planned obsolescence. . .

The mind reels.
And I just had all camshafts replaced with New a few months ago
I’d pull your valve covers and check those holes with a paperclip. Like, today.
Reply
Old Mar 12, 2019 | 10:54 PM
  #16  
Crya's Avatar
Super Member
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Jan 2018
Posts: 959
Likes: 168
From: Napa
2009 C63 P30
Alright!! So I’ve got a ‘09 with bad head bolts but likely OK oil passages in the cams! Yay balance in the universe...
Reply
Old Mar 12, 2019 | 11:04 PM
  #17  
BLKROKT's Avatar
MBWorld Fanatic!
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 8,074
Likes: 2,867
From: Los Angeles
2012 P31 C63 Coupe Trackrat, 2019 GLE63S Coupe Beast
Originally Posted by Crya
Alright!! So I’ve got a ‘09 with bad head bolts but likely OK oil passages in the cams! Yay balance in the universe...
Didn’t some of the ‘09’s come with soft metal cams?
Reply
Old Mar 13, 2019 | 12:29 AM
  #18  
deadlyvt's Avatar
MBWorld Fanatic!
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 1,372
Likes: 412
2010 C63 AMG
Originally Posted by BLKROKT
Didn’t some of the ‘09’s come with soft metal cams?
yep so replace them with the new ones and hope for oil passages! Yay for quality management
Reply
Old Mar 13, 2019 | 01:23 AM
  #19  
Rick X Joaquim's Avatar
Member
 
Joined: Feb 2017
Posts: 149
Likes: 7
C63
If the oil cant pass thru, it must come out somewhere, so once is installed it wont work right. But how on earth could this happen with MB?
Reply
Old Mar 13, 2019 | 07:38 AM
  #20  
Vladds's Avatar
MBWorld Fanatic!
5 Year Member
Photogenic
Shutterbug
Liked
 
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 1,175
Likes: 130
From: NY
2010 C63 2019 GLA45
One of the intakes is drilled and the other not? Which side is not drilled through, passenger?
Reply
Old Mar 13, 2019 | 08:24 AM
  #21  
Jasonoff's Avatar
MBWorld Fanatic!
10 Year Member
Liked
Community Favorite
Top Answer: 3
 
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 5,351
Likes: 1,677
From: Kitchener, ON
2010 C63 AMG
Originally Posted by BLKROKT
I’d pull your valve covers and check those holes with a paperclip. Like, today.
You need to yank the cams to check. The hole is under the bearing cap.
Reply
Old Mar 13, 2019 | 08:48 AM
  #22  
Vladds's Avatar
MBWorld Fanatic!
5 Year Member
Photogenic
Shutterbug
Liked
 
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 1,175
Likes: 130
From: NY
2010 C63 2019 GLA45
Originally Posted by Jasonoff
You need to yank the cams to check. The hole is under the bearing cap.
Why not pull the cam bearing caps one by one, inspect, retighten?
I'll take a look at the normal cap reinstallation procedure, to see if the cap-by-cap can make sense.

Meanwhile, i wonder if there is always the same cam that displays this problem.
Reply
Old Mar 13, 2019 | 10:51 AM
  #23  
sventastic82's Avatar
Super Member
10 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 681
Likes: 231
From: SC
2010 C63 AMG RIP. 2021 Toyota Tacoma TRD Off Road, 2013 C63 coupe
Taking off one cap for each cam should be sufficient.
The odds are very low that just some of the hole aren’t drilled deep enough.
Reply
Old Mar 13, 2019 | 10:57 AM
  #24  
Jasonoff's Avatar
MBWorld Fanatic!
10 Year Member
Liked
Community Favorite
Top Answer: 3
 
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 5,351
Likes: 1,677
From: Kitchener, ON
2010 C63 AMG
Originally Posted by Vladds
Why not pull the cam bearing caps one by one, inspect, retighten?
I'll take a look at the normal cap reinstallation procedure, to see if the cap-by-cap can make sense.
Originally Posted by sventastic82
Taking off one cap for each cam should be sufficient..
That would be handy if the holes were all pointing up. I wouldn't rotate the engine with a cap removed.
Reply
Old Mar 13, 2019 | 11:27 AM
  #25  
Vladds's Avatar
MBWorld Fanatic!
5 Year Member
Photogenic
Shutterbug
Liked
 
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 1,175
Likes: 130
From: NY
2010 C63 2019 GLA45
Originally Posted by Jasonoff
That would be handy if the holes were all pointing up. I wouldn't rotate the engine with a cap removed.
The clocking of the lubrication hols remains unchanged vs the cam lobes.

The CAD-CAM (excuse the '70's engineering term) of the factory machining rig would always drill for every cam at the same circular angle.
Whatever angle Tassos's video shows (By example the lubrication hole is 30 degrees past the 4th intake lobes), our cams will have as well.

We can take a look at Tassos's video and see the clocking of the holes vs the lobes and assess which way they're facing (the lubrication holes under the cover of the caps) by looking at the lobes of the cams, as the cams sit installed in our cars, with the valve covers removed.
Reply


You have already rated this thread Rating: Thread Rating: 0 votes,  average.


All times are GMT -4. The time now is 08:17 PM.

story-0
6 Mercedes Models That Did NOT Age Well (But Are Somehow Still Cool)

Slideshow: Not every Mercedes design becomes timeless, some feel stuck in the era they came from.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-12 18:09:07


VIEW MORE
story-1
Manual Mercedes? 6 Times Sindelfingen Let Drivers Have All The Fun

Slideshow: Yes, Mercedes built manual cars, and some of them are far more interesting than you'd expect.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-02 12:36:58


VIEW MORE
story-2
Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren

Slideshow: A one-of-one U.S.-spec Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren Roadster became even rarer after a factory-backed transformation at McLaren's headquarters.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-29 11:19:28


VIEW MORE
story-3
8 Classic Boxy Mercedes Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine

Slideshow: Before curves took over, Mercedes mastered the art of the straight line, and some of those shapes still look right today.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-25 12:05:49


VIEW MORE
story-4
Flawlessly Restored Mercedes 190E Evo II Heads to Auction

Slideshow: The 190E Evolution II shows how a homologation necessity became a six-figure collector icon.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-22 17:53:47


VIEW MORE
story-5
Electric Mercedes C-Class Unveiled: 11 Things You Need to Know

Slideshow: Mercedes is turning one of its core nameplates electric, and the details show just how serious this shift is.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-21 13:58:06


VIEW MORE
story-6
Mercedes EQS Gets A Major Update: Everything You Need to Know

Slideshow: Faster charging, longer range, and a controversial steer-by-wire system define the latest evolution of Mercedes-Benz EQS.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-15 10:35:34


VIEW MORE
story-7
5 Underrated Mercedes-Benz Models That Don't Get the Love They Deserve

Slideshow: These overlooked Mercedes-Benz models never got the spotlight, but they quietly delivered more than most remember.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-13 19:35:45


VIEW MORE
story-8
Mercedes 300D Has Pushed Well Past 1 Million Miles and It Ain't Stopping

Slideshow: A well-used 1991 Mercedes-Benz 300D with more than one million miles is now looking for a new owner, and it still appears ready for more.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-10 10:05:15


VIEW MORE
story-9
10 Most Reliable Mercedes-Benz Models You Can Buy Used

Slideshow: From bulletproof sedans to surprisingly tough SUVs, these Mercedes models proved that the three-pointed star can go the distance.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-08 09:55:49


VIEW MORE