Camshaft covers reseal advice needed

Apr 1, 2024 | 09:57 AM

wheatswake

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Joined: Apr 2016

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From: Houston, TX

2017 S550 coupe, 2013 E550 coupe, 2008 Tahoe

Camshaft covers reseal advice needed

2013 E550 coupe, M278, currently 92k miles (engine replaced @45k miles in 2019) Houston, Texas climate. I'm in the process of resealing camshaft covers and drivers side cover is getting a little crazy. I was hoping not to have to drop the oil filter housing to get the cover off but starting to look like I do. I did notice on the S-class M278, the oil filter housing is a little different in design and placement. S-class housing sits more in between the two magnets, where the E-class housing sits right in front of one of the magnets. I have the cover loose but can not get it out due to housing in the way. I do not believe I can remove the magnet (behind oil filter housing) from the cover and if i could, I still question if the cover would come out. So, looks like I have to drain coolant system, remove coolant pipe, remove oil filter housing and replace the coolant and associated seals/hardware for those items to be able to reseal the camshaft cover. I do have an oil cooler seal as well, if its recommended to do while I'm in there kind of thing (more hardware to order). I was thinking I should replace turbo coolant lines/hardware as well (I think I have the 5 line design, not 4 line). Since I'm in there, any other replacement suggestions? Replace water pump seal/other plastic lines?

Last edited by wheatswake; Apr 1, 2024 at 09:59 AM.

Apr 1, 2024 | 02:46 PM

Baltistyle

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Joined: Feb 2017

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From: Baltimore County, MD

'13 s212 63 p30. '06 LX470

Check out the check valves thread under my name. See if any of that helps. There’s also a cam magnet thread with lots of comments that should help as well

Apr 1, 2024 | 04:28 PM

ChuangTzu

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Joined: Mar 2024

Posts: 618

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From: Chicago

19 GLA45, 86 560SL, former: 14 E550 4Matic, 09 E350 4Matic, 83 240D manual, 78 450SLC, 81 500SLC

I saw a video on YouTube of a guy doing this without dropping the oil filter housing. He only removed the oil filter cap... If you can't find it I can try to look for it again later...

Apr 1, 2024 | 10:18 PM

wheatswake

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Joined: Apr 2016

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From: Houston, TX

2017 S550 coupe, 2013 E550 coupe, 2008 Tahoe

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChuangTzu

I saw a video on YouTube of a guy doing this without dropping the oil filter housing. He only removed the oil filter cap... If you can't find it I can try to look for it again later...

yeah, I have seen the videos too but the housings are always setup like my C217 M278. The C207 M278 has a housing placement so that it has to be removed to get the camshaft cover or magnet removed. To remove oil filter housing, the thermostat pipe has to be removed, which I broke one small plastic tab that I suspect was brittle (cost $300). Now I have to order coolant, hardware and thermostat pipe. Also install new seals, add oil, coolant, and finish trans fluid refill. Crazy how a drivers side camshaft cover reseal turned into costing me $500+ doing it myself. Passenger side was no issue. Had to order a Venturi valve setup to purge the main coolant system and low temp coolant system since I removed a couple turbo coolant lines to get access to 2 lower oil housing bolts. I will post some pics of the 2 housing differences when I get a chance. Turned into a lot more than I was ready for but just keep pushing forward.

Last edited by wheatswake; Apr 1, 2024 at 10:22 PM.

Apr 2, 2024 | 12:03 AM

ChuangTzu

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Joined: Mar 2024

Posts: 618

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From: Chicago

19 GLA45, 86 560SL, former: 14 E550 4Matic, 09 E350 4Matic, 83 240D manual, 78 450SLC, 81 500SLC

Yeah, I have noticed a few different setups too. I think mine might have the more difficult layout like you have, which might be why my cam magnets were also a bigger than expected job. The engine is wrapped in piping, especially on the drivers' side.

I need to reseal my valve covers soon too, but I have a few bigger things to tackle first.

Keep at it!

Nov 29, 2024 | 02:06 PM

andrewwiencken

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Joined: Nov 2024

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unfortunately I had to remove the oil filter housing because of the oilcooler lines. While I did that, I broke the turbo cooler Lines if you look at those things wrong they break I did build some custom hoes for those two hard lines that had over 100,000 miles so I replaced the water pump and thermostat while I was in there