Exhaust Valve Camshaft Actuator Positioning Issues
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Dec 2022
Posts: 17
Likes: 2
AMG C63S Ed1 coupe
Exhaust Valve Camshaft Actuator Positioning Issues
A year ago, during a service check at 5,000 kilometers, errors due to improper positioning of the exhaust valve camshaft actuator were identified, despite the absence of any negative symptoms or loss of power. No warning lights were illuminated. The service workshop suggested that these errors might have been triggered by the car being parked for an extended period and recommended a recheck. This year, the same errors persist. The service team is now proposing the replacement of two solenoids (adjuster magnets) releated to the exhaust valves, although they are uncertain about the result. The cost of the solenoids is not high, but the replacement cost is significant due to challenging access, involving two full days of mechanic work.
Could you please share your advice and experiences on this matter? Generally, they don't know much about this matter. Initially, they thought they would replace it within a few hours.
update: Xentry error number is P002477
Could you please share your advice and experiences on this matter? Generally, they don't know much about this matter. Initially, they thought they would replace it within a few hours.
update: Xentry error number is P002477
Last edited by keraj; Aug 17, 2023 at 04:14 PM.
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2021
Posts: 398
Likes: 130
From: SoCal
16' C63s, 22' RAM 1500
I've replaced the cam adjuster magnets, simple job, just time consuming and removal of the intercoolers was a bit tideous. All in all if you could afford the replacement go for it but it is a $5.6k job without parts. I spent around $500 (includes beer).
MB says its an 10 hour job I finished it around 11hrs. (friend lent me his 2 post car lift and made it alot easier.)
I now have to replace the actual camshaft sprockets and have to do this without the car post lift yet I got myself Quickjax system so it should roughly be the same time.
Have fun wrenching if you choose to
MB says its an 10 hour job I finished it around 11hrs. (friend lent me his 2 post car lift and made it alot easier.)
I now have to replace the actual camshaft sprockets and have to do this without the car post lift yet I got myself Quickjax system so it should roughly be the same time.
Have fun wrenching if you choose to
Last edited by Iridium.C63s; Aug 20, 2023 at 11:05 PM.
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2021
Posts: 398
Likes: 130
From: SoCal
16' C63s, 22' RAM 1500
A year ago, during a service check at 5,000 kilometers, errors due to improper positioning of the exhaust valve camshaft actuator were identified, despite the absence of any negative symptoms or loss of power. No warning lights were illuminated. The service workshop suggested that these errors might have been triggered by the car being parked for an extended period and recommended a recheck. This year, the same errors persist. The service team is now proposing the replacement of two solenoids (adjuster magnets) releated to the exhaust valves, although they are uncertain about the result. The cost of the solenoids is not high, but the replacement cost is significant due to challenging access, involving two full days of mechanic work.
Could you please share your advice and experiences on this matter? Generally, they don't know much about this matter. Initially, they thought they would replace it within a few hours.
update: Xentry error number is P002477
Could you please share your advice and experiences on this matter? Generally, they don't know much about this matter. Initially, they thought they would replace it within a few hours.
update: Xentry error number is P002477
Member
Joined: Aug 2019
Posts: 82
Likes: 17
From: Florida
W140 S320
A year ago, during a service check at 5,000 kilometers, errors due to improper positioning of the exhaust valve camshaft actuator were identified, despite the absence of any negative symptoms or loss of power. No warning lights were illuminated. The service workshop suggested that these errors might have been triggered by the car being parked for an extended period and recommended a recheck. This year, the same errors persist. The service team is now proposing the replacement of two solenoids (adjuster magnets) releated to the exhaust valves, although they are uncertain about the result. The cost of the solenoids is not high, but the replacement cost is significant due to challenging access, involving two full days of mechanic work.
Could you please share your advice and experiences on this matter? Generally, they don't know much about this matter. Initially, they thought they would replace it within a few hours.
update: Xentry error number is P002477
Could you please share your advice and experiences on this matter? Generally, they don't know much about this matter. Initially, they thought they would replace it within a few hours.
update: Xentry error number is P002477
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Dec 2022
Posts: 17
Likes: 2
AMG C63S Ed1 coupe
Hi, it’s great that you’re asking because I forgot to update our forum community on the results. I didn’t replace the solenoids, and I avoided an expensive repair. I solved the issue, and everything has been fine for the past year and a half! It turned out that after a routine oil change, the errors stopped appearing.
I started investigating...
From the XENTRY printouts, I noticed that these errors occurred exclusively on a cold engine (I should note that I only drive in summer). These disappeared just after the last oil change—from the old Genuine MB 229.5 5W40 to the new Mobil 1 FS 0W40—the errors stopped appearing and never came back.
I’m disappointed with the authorized Mercedes dealer, who mentioned they suspected the old oil might be the issue but still filled my car with the standard 5W40 without even asking if I’d pay extra for a better one. While it’s true that 5W40 is compatible according to the manual, it clearly doesn’t work as expected in practice.
To summarize the whole story, oil with a "0" as the lower number simply performs much better on a cold engine—even in summer—and allows the variable valve timing solenoids to move properly. It’s worth using, even if the car isn’t driven in winter. I’m not sure if the errors would occur with the genuine High Performance Engine Oil MB 229.5 0W40, but I’m not going to test it. This Mobil 1 FS, which is widely recommended online, works great and is also very affordable.
I started investigating...
From the XENTRY printouts, I noticed that these errors occurred exclusively on a cold engine (I should note that I only drive in summer). These disappeared just after the last oil change—from the old Genuine MB 229.5 5W40 to the new Mobil 1 FS 0W40—the errors stopped appearing and never came back.
I’m disappointed with the authorized Mercedes dealer, who mentioned they suspected the old oil might be the issue but still filled my car with the standard 5W40 without even asking if I’d pay extra for a better one. While it’s true that 5W40 is compatible according to the manual, it clearly doesn’t work as expected in practice.
To summarize the whole story, oil with a "0" as the lower number simply performs much better on a cold engine—even in summer—and allows the variable valve timing solenoids to move properly. It’s worth using, even if the car isn’t driven in winter. I’m not sure if the errors would occur with the genuine High Performance Engine Oil MB 229.5 0W40, but I’m not going to test it. This Mobil 1 FS, which is widely recommended online, works great and is also very affordable.
