2013 e350 oil in wire harness m276
Member
Joined: Jul 2019
Posts: 169
Likes: 76
2013 E550 sedan
Thanks, Chassis! Great info.
Is the updated part that you're referring to the updated part number for the cam solenoid mentioned earlier in this thread, or is there a totally new part from a newer car that can be retrofitted? I read about this issue a couple years ago when it happened to my mother, and I just came across this thread shortly after starting to look for another W204. I'm definitely reconsidering the facelift C350 now after reading this thread. There's a great MB indie by me, too.
Is the updated part that you're referring to the updated part number for the cam solenoid mentioned earlier in this thread, or is there a totally new part from a newer car that can be retrofitted? I read about this issue a couple years ago when it happened to my mother, and I just came across this thread shortly after starting to look for another W204. I'm definitely reconsidering the facelift C350 now after reading this thread. There's a great MB indie by me, too.
BIL has an '12 E63 (they can have the same issue) - he asked his indy shop about doing the pigtails proactively and they said they inspect for oil infiltration on every vehicle that's prone to it, every time they lay hands on one - they've had 100% success just cleaning the oil out of the harness and replacing faulty parts. So the MB fix is extremely expensive...
You might just pop into your indy shop and ask about what they do - that should give you confidence in looking at this range of models...
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 1,047
Likes: 174
From: Florida
Too many german broads
On our 550 when oil got into the wiring harness, the only fix approved by MB was pull the engine and replace the entire wiring harness and 4 cam position sensors with updated parts - they also inspected every connection point the harness goes to and if oil was found, they replace the component the harness attaches to (ours had zero). I asked about having to worry about this happening again and was told these were updated parts and it wouldn't happen again. From what I read (somewhere) the new parts went into vehicles starting MY 2016...
BIL has an '12 E63 (they can have the same issue) - he asked his indy shop about doing the pigtails proactively and they said they inspect for oil infiltration on every vehicle that's prone to it, every time they lay hands on one - they've had 100% success just cleaning the oil out of the harness and replacing faulty parts. So the MB fix is extremely expensive...
You might just pop into your indy shop and ask about what they do - that should give you confidence in looking at this range of models...
BIL has an '12 E63 (they can have the same issue) - he asked his indy shop about doing the pigtails proactively and they said they inspect for oil infiltration on every vehicle that's prone to it, every time they lay hands on one - they've had 100% success just cleaning the oil out of the harness and replacing faulty parts. So the MB fix is extremely expensive...
You might just pop into your indy shop and ask about what they do - that should give you confidence in looking at this range of models...
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 1,055
Likes: 50
From: SoCal. Desert
'16 E350, gone: '03 c230k
My CPO warranty is going to expire soon - what should I be looking for with this 'oil leak under the front covers'?
Out Of Control!!
Joined: Sep 2018
Posts: 14,666
Likes: 4,568
From: unbegrenzt
2017 GLE350 4MATIC
rear main seal (not the topic of this thread), can be viewed from beneath the vehicle if leaking
cylinder head front covers
cam magnets/solenoids
cam position sensors
cam covers
Member
Joined: Jan 2019
Posts: 163
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2015 E350 4Matic Wagon, 2018 GLE350 4Matic
I finally got around to installing the pig tails today while I was doing other service work. The ends of the factory connectors looked to be oil free but I installed them anyway. They are a little tricky, but I found the easiest thing was to pop the white tab up then squeeze it with needle nose pliers and wiggle the connector off. I did have to unbolt the air filter box to gain access to the one on the furthest passenger side. It appears that if you install the pigtail with the white clip in the same orientation as the original, then align the “square” sides on the other end you will get the wires oriented correctly.
Out Of Control!!
Joined: Sep 2018
Posts: 14,666
Likes: 4,568
From: unbegrenzt
2017 GLE350 4MATIC
I finally got around to installing the pig tails today while I was doing other service work. The ends of the factory connectors looked to be oil free but I installed them anyway. They are a little tricky, but I found the easiest thing was to pop the white tab up then squeeze it with needle nose pliers and wiggle the connector off. I did have to unbolt the air filter box to gain access to the one on the furthest passenger side. It appears that if you install the pigtail with the white clip in the same orientation as the original, then align the “square” sides on the other end you will get the wires oriented correctly.
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Thread Starter
Member
Joined: May 2018
Posts: 214
Likes: 66
From: SoCal
2020 E450 4matic wagon
I had some oil in the area where the pins are located. I removed the ECU and turned it upside down and sprayed CRC QD electronic cleaner and dried it with compressed air. Then, installed the pigtails. So far, it's oil free and still running like before.
Newbie
Joined: Feb 2022
Posts: 8
Likes: 7
2012 E320
Thanks. You’re very lucky. I tried to find a way to fix my ECU instead of taking it to the dealer for $$$$. I heard some shop would repair the ECU by mailing it in and they will clean and reprogram if needed. May worth the try.
Super Member
Joined: Feb 2019
Posts: 681
Likes: 405
From: FL
2012 E550 sedan 2019 E63 Wagon
If your ECU pins are drenched in oil, an engine hose down is a most.
Remove the ECU, and clean the contacts with CRC electronic contact cleaner. Clean the harness connectors with CRC as well.
Remove the top plastic covers (all of the ones easy to remove, air boxes can remain but make sure you cover the intake with a plastic bag, and a rubber band). Remove the bottom undertray (under the car)
Then clean the engine bay with Sonax engine cleaner (what MB uses to find leaks) and a tooth brush. Hose down with slow water, then use a leaf blower (not compressed air) a cheap electric one works great.
Then hand dry any hard to reach spots, then hit the plastic with Sonax plastic cleaner.
Once that is done, hit all electric connections you can reach with CRC electronic contact cleaner after unplugging each one.
If you are getting O2 sensor errors, you may have to clean their harness as well.
Remove the ECU, and clean the contacts with CRC electronic contact cleaner. Clean the harness connectors with CRC as well.
Remove the top plastic covers (all of the ones easy to remove, air boxes can remain but make sure you cover the intake with a plastic bag, and a rubber band). Remove the bottom undertray (under the car)
Then clean the engine bay with Sonax engine cleaner (what MB uses to find leaks) and a tooth brush. Hose down with slow water, then use a leaf blower (not compressed air) a cheap electric one works great.
Then hand dry any hard to reach spots, then hit the plastic with Sonax plastic cleaner.
Once that is done, hit all electric connections you can reach with CRC electronic contact cleaner after unplugging each one.
If you are getting O2 sensor errors, you may have to clean their harness as well.
Member
Joined: Jul 2019
Posts: 169
Likes: 76
2013 E550 sedan
When our MB dealer suspected oil had gotten into the MCU (ECU), they replaced the whole unit with a reman... Might want to talk to a good MB indy in your area, as they tend to get more creative, and less spendy in their repairs...
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2020
Posts: 253
Likes: 72
From: USA
2013 s550
Has anybody had these isolator harnesses installed for a long period of time/miles with no incidence of oil penetration? How do these isolator harnesses prevent this issue, because can't the oil work it's way across the isolator harness to the engine harness like it does normally? I'm assuming you'll still have to regularly check the solenoid for seepage and replace at first signs of oil.
My mother had this issue with her 2012 ML350, and it was a costly repair like others have stated. I'm in the market for a used C350, but this issue singlehandedly excludes 2012-2014 facelifted cars from my search.
My mother had this issue with her 2012 ML350, and it was a costly repair like others have stated. I'm in the market for a used C350, but this issue singlehandedly excludes 2012-2014 facelifted cars from my search.
I found Cam Magnet pigtails from dealership, this part number ( 271-150-0156 ) but have not found any for the Cam Position Sensors.
Last edited by s550hollywood; Nov 3, 2022 at 06:44 PM.
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: May 2018
Posts: 214
Likes: 66
From: SoCal
2020 E450 4matic wagon
I'm currently researching this pigtail thing and it seems to me that the pigtails do not stop oil from getting to the harness, the concept I think is you'd rather have oil in the pigtail than in the main harness and just change out the pigtails from time to time instead of changing the whole harness for $15k. However, the pigtail could have been specifically made to stop the oil from getting to the harness, that I'm not clear on yet.
Last edited by mercerized; Nov 3, 2022 at 07:13 PM. Reason: mags = solenoids
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2020
Posts: 253
Likes: 72
From: USA
2013 s550
The MB harness solution (i.e.pigtails) works. Last month I opened one up and it's comprised of a copper male/female connector. The physics of this type of connection will not support capillary action. I am 20k miles into my installation and I have not seen any signs of oil in the sensors, cam mags, or harness.
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: May 2018
Posts: 214
Likes: 66
From: SoCal
2020 E450 4matic wagon
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: May 2018
Posts: 214
Likes: 66
From: SoCal
2020 E450 4matic wagon
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: May 2018
Posts: 214
Likes: 66
From: SoCal
2020 E450 4matic wagon
Did you put pigtails on the position sensors and the magnets? I ordered pigtails for the magnets today from dealer part # 2711500156 but I cannot find any for the position sensors. The position sensor has 3 wires and the magnets have 2 wires so it would be two different pig tails.
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2020
Posts: 253
Likes: 72
From: USA
2013 s550
Was there oil leaking from the cam position sensor into the wire harness or was it only the cam magnets that was doing that? In any case the dealership told me today the previous owner of my 2013 S550 had to have the entire wire harness and a few other damaged components replaced because of oil seepage from either the cam magnets or the position sensors. They said since it happened once it'll likely happen again. I have no pigtails on the car now, so they just replaced everything and then didn't worry about the problem happening again.
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: May 2018
Posts: 214
Likes: 66
From: SoCal
2020 E450 4matic wagon
