Cam tower adjuster: need to repair
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2014 ML 350 3.5L
Cam tower adjuster: need to repair
What is the most cost effective way to fix the camshaft adjuster? The dealer is quoting $6,000 for parts and labor, but a used low-mileage engine (longblock) for my 2014 ML350 cost only $3,000. Is there a more cost effective to solve this problem? If I'm gonna spend that much money ($6,000) why not rebuild the entire head and make it a lot more robust? Looks to me like Mercedes makes more money from charging an arm and a leg to do work on their over-engineered cars and through financing than actually making money by selling their cars. It's a pretty common business model from what I was told.
Last edited by d_787b; Sep 15, 2021 at 02:49 AM.
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2017 GLE350 4MATIC
What has caused the cam adjuster to need replacement? What symptoms are you experiencing? Get another estimate from an indy shop. You haven't given enough information about your vehicle, its history or the problems you are experiencing. Please provide the whole story.
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W204 C63 Coupe, W166 ML350 BlueTEC, 928GT, Taycan GTS Sport Turismo, C5 Z06 & IS300 race cars
Swapping the engine (even assuming that the new one has no issues whatsoever and is in perfect health) or "rebuilding the head and making it a lot more robust" (whatever it is that you think that may entail) is going to set you back a lot more than $6K. The most cost effective way to fix an aging Mercedes of any description or for that matter any other "luxury" car is to not have one in the first place. Welcome to reality.
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2014 ML 350 3.5L
Apparently this is a common design flaw that happens at around 50,000 miles. My car is in pristine shape because I take good care of it. My car has 51,000 miles. No warranty left. So has anyone had this problem before and what did they do? I'm thinking of just getting rid of it and getting a 2011 Land Cruiser which is a much better long-term investment and a better car overall.
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Out Of Control!!
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2017 GLE350 4MATIC
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2012 ML350
If you are in Socal, I can point you to a good indy shop that did it for $2,000. That's for the bank 1 intake camshaft adjuster. The timing chain adjuster and check valve was previously replaced but the knocking sound during start up did not go away. The next fix in the tsb would be the camshaft adjuster which has been confirmed in different forums and in youtube. I have read in a post somewhere that the adjusters can be replaced without opening the valve covers.
Thread Starter
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2014 ML 350 3.5L
If you are in Socal, I can point you to a good indy shop that did it for $2,000. That's for the bank 1 intake camshaft adjuster. The timing chain adjuster and check valve was previously replaced but the knocking sound during start up did not go away. The next fix in the tsb would be the camshaft adjuster which has been confirmed in different forums and in youtube. I have read in a post somewhere that the adjusters can be replaced without opening the valve covers.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
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2014 ML 350 3.5L
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Jan 2021
Posts: 25
Likes: 3
2014 ML 350 3.5L
If you are in Socal, I can point you to a good indy shop that did it for $2,000. That's for the bank 1 intake camshaft adjuster. The timing chain adjuster and check valve was previously replaced but the knocking sound during start up did not go away. The next fix in the tsb would be the camshaft adjuster which has been confirmed in different forums and in youtube. I have read in a post somewhere that the adjusters can be replaced without opening the valve covers.
Thanks for the referral. Baldo the owner was honest and did a good job. I saved close to $3000 by going to him instead of the dealer.
http://www.integritymotorsmercedes.com/
I ended up replacing both of the cam adjusters and it was on the driver side I believe. There are two more on the passenger side but they are still working properly. Dealer would have charged me $7200. I paid around $4300 total.
Last edited by d_787b; Nov 4, 2021 at 07:47 PM.
Out Of Control!!
Joined: Sep 2018
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From: unbegrenzt
2017 GLE350 4MATIC
Not sure if it's common. It could be either a symptom, or contemporaneous with the early M276 check valve issue. Also seems to be reported on this site on the ML platform, but not on C-, E-, GLK- or GLS- Class where the M276 was also used.
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E350
Hi, I am having same issue on my 2014 E350 with 82000 miles. I change engine oil every 3500 with Mobil 1 0w-40 from day one with Purflux L391 filter which is MB OE supplier for this oil filter. I am surprised even taking this much care now I am having this issue. My car comes with check valve and tensioner installed per Mercedes bulletin but still recently getting the rattle noise at startup.
Newbie
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E350
I did some research and look like above post mentioned regarding $2K garage ( Integrity Motors Anaheim, CA 92801 (714) 776-4086) but keep in mind Baldo is not working there anymore and i don't know if they will try to rip you off. FYI,
