DIY Engine Out Job m278/157
Thread Starter
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Joined: Mar 2018
Posts: 485
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From: KY
2015 E63S Sedan, 2014 E550 coupe
DIY Engine Out Job m278/157
Howdy All -
I’m seeking any direct experiences that may be shared regarding performing your own engine out jobs.
Tips/tricks/cautionary tales etc.
The ask is in consideration of turbo replacements on a c207 (m278), however I’m also considering pulling the m157 turbos from my E63S, installing in my m278, and upgrading the turbos in the E63S…
I’m seeking any direct experiences that may be shared regarding performing your own engine out jobs.
Tips/tricks/cautionary tales etc.
The ask is in consideration of turbo replacements on a c207 (m278), however I’m also considering pulling the m157 turbos from my E63S, installing in my m278, and upgrading the turbos in the E63S…
Out Of Control!!
Joined: Apr 2019
Posts: 11,921
Likes: 6,770
From: Silicon Valley
W212 MY'14 M276-3.5NA @75kMi
ENGINE-OUT MAINTENANCE ITEMS...
JB, the only thing I can say is to replace all the wear maintenance parts while it's a lot easier...
Any budget left??
You can work on this list an Excel to sort it by your priorities: cost, difficulty, mileage, importance,...
I am a huge fan of grouped work instead of busy piece meals jobs.
++++ disable the eng. MAYO MIXER!!! #25.
- rear main seal
- PCV + track
- plastic cooling pipes
- ECT sensor
- CPS sensors
- CKP sensor
- (heater control valve)
- (A/C TXV )
- Lambda/O2
- Wastegate diaphrams+ pump check valve
- HPFPs
- Valve cover camshaft inspection + seal
- injector cleaning + seals
- Ignition plugs + COPs/Boots
- Cylinders bore scope
- engine + tranny mounts
- (alternator if high RPMs!)
- thermostats + pump
- radiator(s) + hoses
- coolant exp. tank/cap
- (harmonic balancer pulley/seal)
- secondary chain tensioners
- Serp. belt kit
- oil pump pick up tube seals
- timing cover seals (MAYO!)
- ...
Any budget left??
You can work on this list an Excel to sort it by your priorities: cost, difficulty, mileage, importance,...
I am a huge fan of grouped work instead of busy piece meals jobs.
++++ disable the eng. MAYO MIXER!!! #25.
Last edited by CaliBenzDriver; Oct 27, 2024 at 03:05 PM.
Thread Starter
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Joined: Mar 2018
Posts: 485
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From: KY
2015 E63S Sedan, 2014 E550 coupe
Good points Cali!
I have performed some of those already (<10k mi ago) such as radiator/hoses, WP, T-stat, turbo lines, CPS and magnets, belt/pulleys, PCV, coils/plugs.
I would definitely do the motor/tranny mounts and O2 sensors during this job. Hasn’t thought about rear main seal, good call. I need to research some of the others listed, not sure what they all mean just yet!
I’m hoping to hear a bit more about the physical job, as in lift used/motor+tranny supports, space constraints, super difficult parts to manage, etc…
I have performed some of those already (<10k mi ago) such as radiator/hoses, WP, T-stat, turbo lines, CPS and magnets, belt/pulleys, PCV, coils/plugs.
I would definitely do the motor/tranny mounts and O2 sensors during this job. Hasn’t thought about rear main seal, good call. I need to research some of the others listed, not sure what they all mean just yet!
I’m hoping to hear a bit more about the physical job, as in lift used/motor+tranny supports, space constraints, super difficult parts to manage, etc…
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'91 964 Turbo, '02 E55's & '14 E63s-w
Jay,
How difficult and labor intensive was the job that you did a little while ago and also, did you Index the plugs?
How difficult and labor intensive was the job that you did a little while ago and also, did you Index the plugs?
Last edited by Faast; Oct 27, 2024 at 02:54 PM.
Thread Starter
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Posts: 485
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From: KY
2015 E63S Sedan, 2014 E550 coupe
I had a backup car, so I had planned to take my time. I spent over 3wks doing it, slowly. Part of that time was waiting on additional parts I didn’t initially plan to replace, and part of it was reviewing certain videos and posts multiple times. It was probably 3 full days of labor, broken up into several smaller chunks. Every part I removed that wasn’t being replaced, I brought in the house and cleaned thoroughly. There were a few debacles too, of course.
I did index the plugs on both of my cars, despite doubting the necessity. I used a belt sander laying sideways to reduce the washer thickness while holding them with needle nose pliers. Fun stuff lol
Last edited by Jaybird123; Oct 27, 2024 at 03:11 PM.
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From: Fleriduh
W212 E63S Wagon - GSL580 - E63 - E350 - C300
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Out Of Control!!
Joined: Apr 2019
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From: Silicon Valley
W212 MY'14 M276-3.5NA @75kMi
the heads and plugs are both machined precisely such that the GND electrode are not pointed towards the center but towards the cylinder wall... nicely done.
This is more likely the sparkplug GND electrode that gets welded on precisely in relation to where the threads start/end.
Nicely automated machining! The end result is to get every cylinder to work as equally as possible.
This is more likely the sparkplug GND electrode that gets welded on precisely in relation to where the threads start/end.
Nicely automated machining! The end result is to get every cylinder to work as equally as possible.
Last edited by CaliBenzDriver; Oct 27, 2024 at 07:18 PM.
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From: Maryland
2015 SL400 (M276 Turbo), 2014 C350 Sport (M276 NA), 2004 SL500 (M113), 2004 Audi TT225 (BEA)
WIS just specifies the tightening torque and assumes the Mercedes technician using WIS is going to get genuine parts from the dealer parts department. WIS provides good instructions, but it is the factory service manual to be used by factory certified technicians. It is other Mercedes documents that describe the required indexing and potential risks of using the wrong plug and wrong indexing.
Properly indexed plugs are going to perform as intended. It's the wrong and improperly indexed plugs that will more likely show up in poor performance.
Since it is no harder to use the correct plug and index it properly, why risk possible damage?
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2008 E350, 2012 ML350, 2014 E350, 2015 ML350
https://mbworld.org/forums/attachmen...g-indexing.pdf
Thread Starter
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Joined: Mar 2018
Posts: 485
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From: KY
2015 E63S Sedan, 2014 E550 coupe
I am know also seeking any direct experiences with subframe removal to access turbos…anyone care to share?
I wonder…could subframe removal be accomplished with car on quickjacks?
I wonder…could subframe removal be accomplished with car on quickjacks?
Out Of Control!!
Joined: Apr 2019
Posts: 11,921
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From: Silicon Valley
W212 MY'14 M276-3.5NA @75kMi
the wheel control arms are tied to sub-frame.
remove wheels, support the engine, drop sub-frame...
remove wheels, support the engine, drop sub-frame...
Last edited by CaliBenzDriver; Oct 28, 2024 at 10:20 PM.
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From: WA State, USA
2014 Cummins, 2014 E250 Bluetec
On quick jacks I am not sure as the clearance would be the issue.
Super Member
Joined: Jun 2022
Posts: 739
Likes: 328
From: WA State, USA
2014 Cummins, 2014 E250 Bluetec
Definitely a good read if ya haven't already https://mbworld.org/forums/e-class-w...pport-bar.html
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2018
Posts: 485
Likes: 153
From: KY
2015 E63S Sedan, 2014 E550 coupe
Yeah, after eyeballing the front O2 sensor replacement job for a while today…I definitely need to learn this procedure. I’m ordering a 2 post lift, so it’s going to happen lol
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Joined: Mar 2010
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2010 E350
Thanks!
Eddy
Last edited by eddyanm; Dec 25, 2025 at 06:11 PM.
