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

How many hours to replace cams and lifters

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Rate Thread
 
Old Oct 1, 2019 | 10:50 PM
  #1  
roadkillrob's Avatar
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
5 Year Member
Shutterbug
Loved
Top Answer: 1
 
Joined: Aug 2016
Posts: 2,405
Likes: 724
12 C63BS Magno Alanite Grey, 25 X5 Msport, 08 BMW E93, Ducati Hyper 698
How many hours to replace cams and lifters

Getting ready to tackle my premature cam wear, for those that have done it or done head bolts, what am I in for being a decent mechanic with the right tools? Just asking for planning purposes, assuming it is somewhere in the 6-10 hour range depending on skill.
Reply
Old Oct 1, 2019 | 11:05 PM
  #2  
one80's Avatar
Junior Member
 
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 30
Likes: 1
n/a
I'm having the same done currently and the workshop has quoted about 20 hours for all camshafts and buckets, and two adjusters.
Reply
Old Oct 2, 2019 | 05:20 AM
  #3  
Cwagon's Avatar
Super Member
5 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Mar 2019
Posts: 522
Likes: 129
From: Bondi Beach , Australia
2013 W204 C63 AMG P31 Estate wagon
I recently replaced all my lifters, which requires removing all 4 camshafts and adjusters plus setting timing using timing tool.
Also did the Tasos Pin Flip to all 4 adjusters with new camshaft bolts, replaced the intake manifold gaskets, replaced all 8 fuel injectors, spark plugs and PCV , all over 2 days by myself.
That would be less than 20 hours.
I reckon the car would sit idle for a lot of that 20 hours in the Dealer like waiting for parts to arrive.
Make sure you have the timing tool and set timing before you start removing camshafts.
Also have all the gaskets and 4 new camshaft bolts ready.
Reply
Old Oct 2, 2019 | 07:47 AM
  #4  
roadkillrob's Avatar
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
5 Year Member
Shutterbug
Loved
Top Answer: 1
 
Joined: Aug 2016
Posts: 2,405
Likes: 724
12 C63BS Magno Alanite Grey, 25 X5 Msport, 08 BMW E93, Ducati Hyper 698
Thanks guys and ya 20 hours must include a lot of not physical work on the car, cannot imagine it taking that long, I can get everything off in an hour to get to the cams, from there getting the cams and buckets out is pretty easy, all the time is in putting the new stuff in and timing it I would think.
Reply
Old Oct 2, 2019 | 08:17 AM
  #5  
Jasonoff's Avatar
MBWorld Fanatic!
10 Year Member
Liked
Community Favorite
Top Answer: 3
 
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 5,352
Likes: 1,678
From: Kitchener, ON
2010 C63 AMG
Originally Posted by roadkillrob
I can get everything off in an hour to get to the cams
Does that hour include the CA covers?

Removing stuff is easy. Putting it back together = removal time x 4
Reply
Old Oct 2, 2019 | 08:21 AM
  #6  
roadkillrob's Avatar
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
5 Year Member
Shutterbug
Loved
Top Answer: 1
 
Joined: Aug 2016
Posts: 2,405
Likes: 724
12 C63BS Magno Alanite Grey, 25 X5 Msport, 08 BMW E93, Ducati Hyper 698
Originally Posted by Jasonoff
Does that hour include the CA covers?

Removing stuff is easy. Putting it back together = removal time x 4
I can get the air boxes off, coils out and both can covers off in about an hour after doing it a few times and having the right tools to get to all the hard to reach cam cover bolts.

i am thinking 10-12 working methodically and will do plugs and a new belt and pulleys maybe at the same time but will see how many hours my back will take being hunched over the car probably will do one side one day and one side the next maybe.
Reply
Old Oct 2, 2019 | 08:25 AM
  #7  
Jasonoff's Avatar
MBWorld Fanatic!
10 Year Member
Liked
Community Favorite
Top Answer: 3
 
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 5,352
Likes: 1,678
From: Kitchener, ON
2010 C63 AMG
Originally Posted by roadkillrob
I can get the air boxes off, coils out and both can covers off in about an hour after doing it a few times and having the right tools to get to all the hard to reach cam cover bolts.

i am thinking 10-12 working methodically and will do plugs and a new belt and pulleys maybe at the same time but will see how many hours my back will take being hunched over the car probably will do one side one day and one side the next maybe.
Plugs have to come out as well. Cam caps need to be removed slowly.

You'll be at it for a weekend.
Reply
Old Oct 2, 2019 | 09:04 AM
  #8  
roadkillrob's Avatar
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
5 Year Member
Shutterbug
Loved
Top Answer: 1
 
Joined: Aug 2016
Posts: 2,405
Likes: 724
12 C63BS Magno Alanite Grey, 25 X5 Msport, 08 BMW E93, Ducati Hyper 698
Originally Posted by Jasonoff
Plugs have to come out as well. Cam caps need to be removed slowly.

You'll be at it for a weekend.
Thanks will plan on at least 2 days, car sits for the winter so probably will tackle late fall and if it takes a month then no big deal.
Reply
MB World Stories

The Best of Mercedes & AMG

story-0

7 Craziest Things AMG Gas Ever Built

 Verdad Gallardo
story-1

New Electric Mercedes-AMG GT 4-Door Coupe Unveiled: 10 Things You Need to Know

 Verdad Gallardo
story-2

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

 Verdad Gallardo
story-3

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

 Verdad Gallardo
story-4

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

 Verdad Gallardo
story-5

8 Classic Boxy Mercedes Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine

 Verdad Gallardo
story-6

Flawlessly Restored Mercedes 190E Evo II Heads to Auction

 Verdad Gallardo
story-7

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

 Verdad Gallardo
story-8

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

 Verdad Gallardo
story-9

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

 Verdad Gallardo
Old Oct 2, 2019 | 11:53 AM
  #9  
Jasonoff's Avatar
MBWorld Fanatic!
10 Year Member
Liked
Community Favorite
Top Answer: 3
 
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 5,352
Likes: 1,678
From: Kitchener, ON
2010 C63 AMG
Originally Posted by roadkillrob
Thanks will plan on at least 2 days, car sits for the winter so probably will tackle late fall and if it takes a month then no big deal.
Beer breaks etc...
Reply
Old Oct 2, 2019 | 01:55 PM
  #10  
roadkillrob's Avatar
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
5 Year Member
Shutterbug
Loved
Top Answer: 1
 
Joined: Aug 2016
Posts: 2,405
Likes: 724
12 C63BS Magno Alanite Grey, 25 X5 Msport, 08 BMW E93, Ducati Hyper 698
Originally Posted by Jasonoff
Beer breaks etc...
Ya ok maybe 3 days
Reply
Old Oct 2, 2019 | 05:19 PM
  #11  
skratch77's Avatar
MBWorld Fanatic!
20 Year Member
Photogenic
Liked
Loved
 
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 6,697
Likes: 383
2005 E55
I've never done this and was wondering if you need to time the cams if you want to take out an adjuster.
Reply
Old Oct 2, 2019 | 05:23 PM
  #12  
roadkillrob's Avatar
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
5 Year Member
Shutterbug
Loved
Top Answer: 1
 
Joined: Aug 2016
Posts: 2,405
Likes: 724
12 C63BS Magno Alanite Grey, 25 X5 Msport, 08 BMW E93, Ducati Hyper 698
Originally Posted by skratch77
I've never done this and was wondering if you need to time the cams if you want to take out an adjuster.
Watching all the videos, you will need to I would say, the cam is likely to move, you could maybe lock the cams and then mark everything on the adjust carefully to get it back in the right place, but at that point I think it would be easier to turn the engine to 40 degress, lock the cams with the timing kit and then pull the adjuster and then when putting it back use the timing kit to line up the adjuster and lock it all back down.

Also, adjuster bolts are single use so get new ones. Probably going to buy the 100 ebay timing kit soon to have ready to do my cams, you are welcome to borrow it since you are close if you need.

Rob
Reply
Old Oct 2, 2019 | 05:24 PM
  #13  
Jasonoff's Avatar
MBWorld Fanatic!
10 Year Member
Liked
Community Favorite
Top Answer: 3
 
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 5,352
Likes: 1,678
From: Kitchener, ON
2010 C63 AMG
Originally Posted by skratch77
I've never done this and was wondering if you need to time the cams if you want to take out an adjuster.
Yes, you do. The adjuster is what locks the cam into position and you need to hold the cams at 40° with the tool. Otherwise the cam would spin (pressure from the valves) once you loosened the adjuster bolt.
Reply
Old Oct 2, 2019 | 05:41 PM
  #14  
skratch77's Avatar
MBWorld Fanatic!
20 Year Member
Photogenic
Liked
Loved
 
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 6,697
Likes: 383
2005 E55
Originally Posted by roadkillrob
Watching all the videos, you will need to I would say, the cam is likely to move, you could maybe lock the cams and then mark everything on the adjust carefully to get it back in the right place, but at that point I think it would be easier to turn the engine to 40 degress, lock the cams with the timing kit and then pull the adjuster and then when putting it back use the timing kit to line up the adjuster and lock it all back down.

Also, adjuster bolts are single use so get new ones. Probably going to buy the 100 ebay timing kit soon to have ready to do my cams, you are welcome to borrow it since you are close if you need.

Rob
Yea I was going to say I can swing by and help out. I can go half on the timing thing also if you want.

I just looked at my slip, dealer changed everything except bank one adjusters and cams.

So looks like my old cams messed up all my lifters.
Reply
Old Oct 2, 2019 | 05:41 PM
  #15  
skratch77's Avatar
MBWorld Fanatic!
20 Year Member
Photogenic
Liked
Loved
 
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 6,697
Likes: 383
2005 E55
Originally Posted by Jasonoff
Yes, you do. The adjuster is what locks the cam into position and you need to hold the cams at 40° with the tool. Otherwise the cam would spin (pressure from the valves) once you loosened the adjuster bolt.
That's what I figured
Reply

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 


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


All times are GMT -4. The time now is 12:53 PM.

story-0
7 Craziest Things AMG Gas Ever Built

Slideshow: Sometimes AMG builds fast sedans. Other times, it builds twin-turbo V12 land missiles and six-wheeled off-road monsters.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-26 17:59:58


VIEW MORE
story-1
New Electric Mercedes-AMG GT 4-Door Coupe Unveiled: 10 Things You Need to Know

Slideshow: Mercedes-AMG's new electric GT 4-Door Coupe trades combustion for software, synthetic noise, and more than 1,100 horsepower.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-20 20:08:15


VIEW MORE
story-2
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-3
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-4
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-5
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-6
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-7
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-8
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-9
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