2013 E350 Coupe - Oil Centrifuge Replacement
Thread Starter
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Joined: Oct 2018
Posts: 103
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From: San Francisco
2013 E350 Coupe
2013 E350 Coupe - Oil Centrifuge Replacement
I am working on an upper engine overhaul that started with P0346 (camshaft adjuster) issue with a more recent P0302 (misfire, cylinder 2) that did not change with spark plug and ignition coil replacement. (There will be an alternate thread on this shortly due to questions on timing.)
I am currently working on Bank 1. I have the valve cover removed, as well as the vacuum pump housing and the high-pressure fuel pump. While I am working on the chain tensioners, check valves, camshaft adjusters/VTT +/- timing, I wanted to replace the centrifuge and centrifuge cover (WIS 22.5.13), as I have noticed oil in the PCV lines as well as the upper intake plenum.
The centrifuge is causing me a headache. WIS states it is either a screw or a bolt and does not say much else on the matter. I used a flexible scope and it appears to be a 10 mm bolt (although other sources state it is 6 mm that that a 6 mm or 1/4" socket fits). I have read it is a LEFT-hand/reverse thread. I have tried using a 10 mm socket (which seems to grab said bolt) and turn but it will not budge. I do not wish to shear the bolt as it is connected to the back of the exhaust camshaft. It is only supposed to be 6 Nm so I am not sure what is going on.
Can anyone help?
And just to clarify: A left-hand thread loosens when turned in clockwise direction (right-ward). Since the bolt is rear facing when working from the front, that means we should be turning the ratchet left-ward, correct?
P.S. The coupe is a pain in the ***. There is like zero clearance back there. Turns out a Mercedes tech told me they will partially remove the engine to do this. Vunderful.
I am currently working on Bank 1. I have the valve cover removed, as well as the vacuum pump housing and the high-pressure fuel pump. While I am working on the chain tensioners, check valves, camshaft adjusters/VTT +/- timing, I wanted to replace the centrifuge and centrifuge cover (WIS 22.5.13), as I have noticed oil in the PCV lines as well as the upper intake plenum.
The centrifuge is causing me a headache. WIS states it is either a screw or a bolt and does not say much else on the matter. I used a flexible scope and it appears to be a 10 mm bolt (although other sources state it is 6 mm that that a 6 mm or 1/4" socket fits). I have read it is a LEFT-hand/reverse thread. I have tried using a 10 mm socket (which seems to grab said bolt) and turn but it will not budge. I do not wish to shear the bolt as it is connected to the back of the exhaust camshaft. It is only supposed to be 6 Nm so I am not sure what is going on.
Can anyone help?
And just to clarify: A left-hand thread loosens when turned in clockwise direction (right-ward). Since the bolt is rear facing when working from the front, that means we should be turning the ratchet left-ward, correct?
P.S. The coupe is a pain in the ***. There is like zero clearance back there. Turns out a Mercedes tech told me they will partially remove the engine to do this. Vunderful.
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W212 MY'14 M276-3.5NA @75kMi
PARTIAL PCV MAY BE BEST
You're doing everything right with reverse theead clockwise.
The only thing better would be to jam the cam shaft gear or grab the shaft with a wrench half way so you don't torque the economy chain.
Personally I don't think replacing the centrifugal will help much.
Go ahead and replace the plastic cover and leave the troublesome spinning part alone (unless it's grooved).
The oil swamp is caused by the stock setup: thin oil kept under low pressure gets vaporized by drafty pistons. A whole brand new PCV can not stop crankcase pressure from escaping... as you improve the PCV other oil seals will begin to relief pressure.
The only thing better would be to jam the cam shaft gear or grab the shaft with a wrench half way so you don't torque the economy chain.
Personally I don't think replacing the centrifugal will help much.
Go ahead and replace the plastic cover and leave the troublesome spinning part alone (unless it's grooved).
The oil swamp is caused by the stock setup: thin oil kept under low pressure gets vaporized by drafty pistons. A whole brand new PCV can not stop crankcase pressure from escaping... as you improve the PCV other oil seals will begin to relief pressure.
Last edited by CaliBenzDriver; Mar 19, 2025 at 11:02 PM.
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From: DFW
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I hope I am not stating the obvious, but are you wrenching on a through bolt? If you are on the bolt side, a left handed thread would require right handed rotation(clockwise).
Also, torque values on the bolt, unless otherwise specified, are measured on the nut end of a through bolt. It will take a much higher torque value to loosen from the bolt end. The reverse is also true. To Torque a nut properly(from the bolt side) it will take a lot more torque on the bolt to get the proper torque setting on the nut. If none of this applies, please disregard.
Also, torque values on the bolt, unless otherwise specified, are measured on the nut end of a through bolt. It will take a much higher torque value to loosen from the bolt end. The reverse is also true. To Torque a nut properly(from the bolt side) it will take a lot more torque on the bolt to get the proper torque setting on the nut. If none of this applies, please disregard.
Thread Starter
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Joined: Oct 2018
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From: San Francisco
2013 E350 Coupe
I saw a YouTube video stating the M276 had a LH thread but I have no other evidence either way. That is why I am asking here.
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Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Oct 2018
Posts: 103
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From: San Francisco
2013 E350 Coupe
Update:
It is confirmed to be a RH thread, E10 bolt. Mine was just stuck on super hard. Just to be on the safe side, I locked the camshafts down so nothing would budge.
It is confirmed to be a RH thread, E10 bolt. Mine was just stuck on super hard. Just to be on the safe side, I locked the camshafts down so nothing would budge.
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I usually don't replace those unless they look REALLY bad and you have tons of scoring and pooled oil in the cap.You want to replace the front one with the vacuum line that leads to the throttle body too at the same time. That ones the low RPM version of the centrifuge high rpm one you just replaced
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