patsc63

Looking for a cam adjuster for the M156. Noisy on startup preferred, I want to evaluate a noisy one and see if there's any way to design a better one that is more durable. I've had my factory cam adjusters on my car replaced under warranty 3 times now. And every time, the noise comes back after a few months.

go team

I have a few noisy ones.

patsc63

Looks like I don't have enough post here to PM yet. What do you want for them? How many miles are on them?

BLKROKT

You might want to do a quick search here. Someone already designed, built and is selling an improved cam adjuster.

The Machinist

If you are having problems only after a few months on a fresh set of these adjusters, you have other very serious problems. I would look to wear elsewhere in the valvetrain. Cams, lifters, etc... I would also have your oil pressure checked.

These engines are notoriously noisy in the top end due to several oil supply design deficiencies, which myself and another member are working to fix.

It takes tens of thousands of miles for these adjusters to wear out to the point of causing audible noise.

On a side note, I’ve been looking for a complete set of noisy ones for months. Good luck. They all get thrown away.

I have already designed a repair for the OE cam adjuster, and another member is selling improved components to replace the worn parts.

crehop

im about to change my camshafts (all 4) and tappets do you need any of those?

patsc63

Can you send me a link? I did see someone was working on a solution, but I didn't see it for sale or for how much. What I saw, they were putting a bushing in a worn part. Not the fix I'm looking for.

patsc63

The last time it was in the shop, all the lifters were replaced. Supposedly the cams were fine, but I haven't inspected them myself. The dealer did new lifters and new adjusters.

My adjusters do not last 10's of thousands of miles, that's for sure. The car has 49K on it and is one its fourth set! If nothing else, if I can make a part that fixes my car, it will probably fix anyone else's too.

patsc63

Yeah, that could be useful if you do not mind. I just had my lifters replaced a month ago myself but the dealer has the old ones.

Thrilla

I’m not affiliated with him, but I’ve been following his site and progress for a few weeks now.
https://www.63motorsports.com

The Machinist

If you plan on throwing them out, I’ll happily take the lot.

The Machinist

Sigh.

We’ve been there and done this.

https://mbworld.org/forums/c63-amg-w...ypes-done.html

https://mbworld.org/forums/c63-amg-w...ming-soon.html

https://mbworld.org/forums/c63-amg-w...ng-around.html


Just a few to get started. Also search threads started by Go Team, who owns 63 motor sports.

The Machinist

What kind of fix are you looking for? That bushing will probably outlast the entire car.

go team

Agreed on finding out what you are looking for; members on here can probably look into it for you and assist if it’s more than just a tougher backplate replacement.

or chat with me on Instagram: 63everything

patsc63

I want it fixed forever. Whatever that takes, whether it's redesigning pins and bushings or the entire thing, I want it fixed forever.

The Machinist

I don’t know how far down the rabbit hole you’ve managed to get, but the main problem with these adjusters is a metallurgy problem. The cliffs notes version is that The part that wears out is no more than 30ish Rc hardness. Basically mild steel.

The locking pin is about 60Rc. Every time the adjuster locks and unlocks, the pin cuts a tiny chip off the corner of the lock plate until the bore is totally destroyed.

The bushing that you saw is the same hardness as the lock pin, so that it will take a very long time to show any wear, let alone be worn out.

The reason I have not offered any pricing is because of three reasons:

1: The first set will be going into my car to prove that the repair works.

2: I have not installed them yet, as I am waiting on more parts to arrive. (Specifically camshafts that I will have chromed to prevent premature wear)

3: My machine shop at the house is not operational yet. I hope by the time spring is in full force to be cranking these things out.


All if that being said, forever is a tall order. These engines have other problems that will be a recurring theme as long as you own the car. The camshafts themselves wear out because of metallurgy problems, as well as poor oil flow.

The lifters wear out for the same reasons.

So, unless you address all of these things, you will be into the top end periodically.


The reason that the locking plates can’t be made from the same material as the lock pins in their entirety is because of how brittle the metal would be, not to mention the cost of manufacturing them. Stuff that is north of 60Rc usually needs to be ground, as it cannot economically be cut.


I don’t mean to sound incredulous, but I’m still in some disbelief that your adjusters have worn out numerous times at 40 grand and change. I would have some fairly serious questions for the MB dealer if indeed that is the case. Most M156 owners are seeing north of 75k before they start to make noise.

Id love to see pictures of the invoices if you’d be willing to post them.

go team

Lots of high end pulls and engine braking then launching would starve that head out of oil. Then you’ve got premature wear.

not saying that’s how the OP drove per se