2012 Mercedes-Benz S550 (m278) Misfires Left Bank (cyl 5, 6, 7, 8)
#1
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2012 Mercedes-Benz S550 (m278) Misfires Left Bank (cyl 5, 6, 7, 8)
Hey All,
My car is sitting at 44,500 miles and I have a bunch of misfires on the left bank of the engine. Car shakes at idle and can barely be driven. It happened once, I shut the car off and after turning it back on it was fine. Then about 300 miles later same thing. Only this time I could only get rid of the codes by resetting via obd. The car has always been serviced on time, however I do not have records of the spark plugs being done.
The Mercedes dealer diagnosed the spark plugs and two coils (cyl 5 & 6). I had it towed home and will be doing them this weekend, all spark plugs and all coils. However, I have a feeling this might not fix it.. I've never had a car where the plugs have gone at such young mileage.
These are the following codes I have:
P300 - Random misfires
P305 - Misfire cyl 5.
P306 - Misfire cyl 6.
P307 - Misfire cyl 7.
P308 - Misfire cyl 8.
Anyone had this happen? Any other thoughts on what it could be, or am I overreacting?
Thanks!
My car is sitting at 44,500 miles and I have a bunch of misfires on the left bank of the engine. Car shakes at idle and can barely be driven. It happened once, I shut the car off and after turning it back on it was fine. Then about 300 miles later same thing. Only this time I could only get rid of the codes by resetting via obd. The car has always been serviced on time, however I do not have records of the spark plugs being done.
The Mercedes dealer diagnosed the spark plugs and two coils (cyl 5 & 6). I had it towed home and will be doing them this weekend, all spark plugs and all coils. However, I have a feeling this might not fix it.. I've never had a car where the plugs have gone at such young mileage.
These are the following codes I have:
P300 - Random misfires
P305 - Misfire cyl 5.
P306 - Misfire cyl 6.
P307 - Misfire cyl 7.
P308 - Misfire cyl 8.
Anyone had this happen? Any other thoughts on what it could be, or am I overreacting?
Thanks!
#3
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You could be onto something, unfortunately my OBD scanner doesn't say which is which. I did reset them all and they came back though. The first time it happened it was cyl 5 and cyl 7 misfiring.
#4
If you're committed to plugs and coils, that's probably going to fix it. I think I would pop out all the coils on the left bank and look down the tube around the spark plugs with a flashlight. Look for water or oil in there. Also, check the coil boot for any sign of spark escaping.
#5
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If you're committed to plugs and coils, that's probably going to fix it. I think I would pop out all the coils on the left bank and look down the tube around the spark plugs with a flashlight. Look for water or oil in there. Also, check the coil boot for any sign of spark escaping.
#6
dead coil packs on a merc is a design feature
decent diagnostics will tell you exactly which ones are failing - you can then move them around and watch the fault go with it
decent diagnostics will tell you exactly which ones are failing - you can then move them around and watch the fault go with it
#7
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Check connectors for cam position sensors and cam magnets for oil. If oil is present check ECU connector for oil. Remediate any oil with contact cleaner then order new magnets and sensors to replace them.
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cruiser02 (02-14-2023)
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#8
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BOTUS (02-15-2023)
#9
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I checked them about 4k miles ago. Replaced two that had oil. Will check again after the new plugs and coils. Thanks
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chassis (02-14-2023)
#10
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Update: My friend came over and installed the new plugs and coils. Old plugs on the misfiring cylinders were BLACK! Coils looked kinda bad too. No fluids in the spark plug holes.
After resetting the codes, we fired up the car. Ran okay for 10 seconds and check engine light started flashing and car was shaking again. Scanned and got the same codes.
We checked the connections of plugs and coils and tried again, without success. No oil on the ECU connections. He’s thinking fuel pump now. I’ll be towing it to his shop next week, where they can work on it. What a pain in my ***
After resetting the codes, we fired up the car. Ran okay for 10 seconds and check engine light started flashing and car was shaking again. Scanned and got the same codes.
We checked the connections of plugs and coils and tried again, without success. No oil on the ECU connections. He’s thinking fuel pump now. I’ll be towing it to his shop next week, where they can work on it. What a pain in my ***
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You have one bank misfiring. Why?
Fuel pump problem would affect all cylinders.
Unlikely that 4 injectors on the same bank are all bad.
Did the cam sensor plate slip? Try replacing cam position sensors and cam magnets?
What retailer sold you the coils?
Bad chain tensioner or chain jumped a tooth or three?
Fuel pump problem would affect all cylinders.
Unlikely that 4 injectors on the same bank are all bad.
Did the cam sensor plate slip? Try replacing cam position sensors and cam magnets?
What retailer sold you the coils?
Bad chain tensioner or chain jumped a tooth or three?
#12
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You have one bank misfiring. Why?
Fuel pump problem would affect all cylinders.
Unlikely that 4 injectors on the same bank are all bad.
Did the cam sensor plate slip? Try replacing cam position sensors and cam magnets?
What retailer sold you the coils?
Bad chain tensioner or chain jumped a tooth or three?
Fuel pump problem would affect all cylinders.
Unlikely that 4 injectors on the same bank are all bad.
Did the cam sensor plate slip? Try replacing cam position sensors and cam magnets?
What retailer sold you the coils?
Bad chain tensioner or chain jumped a tooth or three?
Haven't looked at cam sensors or magnets yet.
Bought the plugs and coils from fcpeuro.com.
Will have to wait to take it to his shop for further diagnosis. Seeing the black plugs, we both thought it'd fix it (mercedes dealer was 99% sure the plugs were the culprit).
#13
posh diagnostics will give you can cam angles if a long way out should throw errors
for an odd reason they keep throwing in petrol when it knows the cyl isn't firing
blocked CAT this is very common on Mercs ?
for an odd reason they keep throwing in petrol when it knows the cyl isn't firing
blocked CAT this is very common on Mercs ?
#14
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Will update later once the Indy shop looks at it.
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Friend said it could be the fuel pump. Driver side exhaust tip had a strong fuel odor while the passenger did not. It is now throwing misfire codes for cyl 5,6,7.
Haven't looked at cam sensors or magnets yet.
Bought the plugs and coils from fcpeuro.com.
Will have to wait to take it to his shop for further diagnosis. Seeing the black plugs, we both thought it'd fix it (mercedes dealer was 99% sure the plugs were the culprit).
Haven't looked at cam sensors or magnets yet.
Bought the plugs and coils from fcpeuro.com.
Will have to wait to take it to his shop for further diagnosis. Seeing the black plugs, we both thought it'd fix it (mercedes dealer was 99% sure the plugs were the culprit).
Did the friend explain why the fuel pump would cause problems on one bank?
Codes and black tailpipe confirm what you already know: you have a problem on one bank.
Codes in four cylinders rules out a scored cylinder for now. Focus on camshafts: sensors, magnets and chain drive.
Buy plugs, coils, sensors and magnets from the dealer only.
You have Chinesium coils and plugs and/or a failed cylinder head and/or a messed up chain drive.
Did you do a compression check yet?
If compression is good, replace plugs, coils, sensors and magnets with dealer purchased parts.
Last edited by chassis; 02-19-2023 at 01:17 PM.
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crconsulting (02-19-2023)
#16
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Did the friend explain why the fuel pump would cause problems on one bank?
Codes and black tailpipe confirm what you already know: you have a problem on one bank.
Codes in four cylinders rules out a scored cylinder for now. Focus on camshafts: sensors, magnets and chain drive.
Buy plugs, coils, sensors and magnets from the dealer only.
You have Chinesium coils and plugs and/or a failed cylinder head and/or a messed up chain drive.
Did you do a compression check yet?
If compression is good, replace plugs, coils, sensors and magnets with dealer purchased parts.
Codes and black tailpipe confirm what you already know: you have a problem on one bank.
Codes in four cylinders rules out a scored cylinder for now. Focus on camshafts: sensors, magnets and chain drive.
Buy plugs, coils, sensors and magnets from the dealer only.
You have Chinesium coils and plugs and/or a failed cylinder head and/or a messed up chain drive.
Did you do a compression check yet?
If compression is good, replace plugs, coils, sensors and magnets with dealer purchased parts.
The plugs and coils are OE, not even OEM, so they should be good. Compression check was done on cyl 5 only and it passed.
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chassis (02-19-2023)
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If coils and plugs were not purchased from the dealer they are Chinesium and should be considered NOK. Not OK.
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vettebk (03-16-2023)
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chassis (02-20-2023)
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#22
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Peter will suggest a used computer and a C4. He will send a 500gig SSD loaded with software. Plug it in and Peter will set the computer up remotely. Then he can assist with diagnosis and change any software in the car you wish for. Your car need not suddenly stop accelerating at 130.
I’ll help.... www.benzninja.com enjoy!
Last edited by JohnLane; 02-22-2023 at 12:37 AM.
#23
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Update: It is the infamous “motor oil in engine wiring harness” that plagues m278 engines. It has leaked enough to reach the oxygen sensors on the left bank, hence the misfire codes.
They have also stated that it has reached the ECU a little bit. They will be attempting a cleaning of all affected areas and see if that fixes it. I have a feeling neither they nor I want to replace the whole harness.
I don’t understand how an engine can be designed like this.
They have also stated that it has reached the ECU a little bit. They will be attempting a cleaning of all affected areas and see if that fixes it. I have a feeling neither they nor I want to replace the whole harness.
I don’t understand how an engine can be designed like this.
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VarunBajaj (05-30-2024),
vettebk (03-16-2023)
#24
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Update: It is the infamous “motor oil in engine wiring harness” that plagues m278 engines. It has leaked enough to reach the oxygen sensors on the left bank, hence the misfire codes.
They have also stated that it has reached the ECU a little bit. They will be attempting a cleaning of all affected areas and see if that fixes it. I have a feeling neither they nor I want to replace the whole harness.
I don’t understand how an engine can be designed like this.
They have also stated that it has reached the ECU a little bit. They will be attempting a cleaning of all affected areas and see if that fixes it. I have a feeling neither they nor I want to replace the whole harness.
I don’t understand how an engine can be designed like this.
How the heck did oil get there? Oxygen sensor is connected to the ECU that does not have oil in it to leak thru wiring to the oxygen sensors...
I thought the problem is with the cam shaft sensors and magnets. I know the cam shaft sensors as I had that problem already in two cars with this engine. Magnets problem I have not had yet.
#25
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Oxygen sensors???
How the heck did oil get there? Oxygen sensor is connected to the ECU that does not have oil in it to leak thru wiring to the oxygen sensors...
I thought the problem is with the cam shaft sensors and magnets. I know the cam shaft sensors as I had that problem already in two cars with this engine. Magnets problem I have not had yet.
How the heck did oil get there? Oxygen sensor is connected to the ECU that does not have oil in it to leak thru wiring to the oxygen sensors...
I thought the problem is with the cam shaft sensors and magnets. I know the cam shaft sensors as I had that problem already in two cars with this engine. Magnets problem I have not had yet.
I am not sure if I’ll be keeping the car much longer though, I bought it for reliability and this isn’t a good sign. It’s not even at 45k miles yet.