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Hi All,
I'm looking at a 2014, Matte gray, white leather, 47k miles. Sport package, driver assist, B&O (rare I think). Asking $47k. There are some issues from the PPI. Here's the bigger issues: Oil Leak at the Front Covers (valve covers) $1800
Cam Sensors leaking into the engine harness - $380
Cracked Wheel (how much is an OEM wheel?)
Air intake tubes cracking $195
And some of the usual maint - wipers, trans oil, engine air filters, brake fluid,
Impact blem, quarter sized on rear bumper - $1300
Only 1 key
Is this usual for that age car? Given the list, not sure it's worth $46k.
If you like the car add up all the needed repairs/parts, subtract from asking price and offer that. Alternatively, tell them you want all the issues fixed for the asking price.
I wouldn't do business with a dealer selling this car, I'm quire sure it is not a reputable one (Mercedes, Audi, BMW etc) I guess at these days prices they try to sell you everything....And I wouldn't trust them to fix these issues either....
I had that same oil leak as well as some other issues, before I had Mercedes do the repairs, but I am at 105k. I would argue them down on the price, if possible. Is there an extended warranty option?
Originally Posted by vmaxhp
Hi All,
I'm looking at a 2014, Matte gray, white leather, 47k miles. Sport package, driver assist, B&O (rare I think). Asking $47k. There are some issues from the PPI. Here's the bigger issues: Oil Leak at the Front Covers (valve covers) $1800
Cam Sensors leaking into the engine harness - $380
Cracked Wheel (how much is an OEM wheel?)
Air intake tubes cracking $195
And some of the usual maint - wipers, trans oil, engine air filters, brake fluid,
Impact blem, quarter sized on rear bumper - $1300
Only 1 key
Is this usual for that age car? Given the list, not sure it's worth $46k.
Cam Sensors leaking into the engine harness - $380!
This is potentially a very serious issue…
That estimate is for cam sensor replacement only.
Sometimes the whole wiring harness may need replacement, especially if the oil made it down to the O2 sensors or even ECU!
Replacing wiring harness usually involves taking the engine out of car 😕
There is an “isolation” harness fix (for leaking magnets: see pic below too). It goes between your cam magnet and wiring harness. It’s a sort of sacrificial harness. So if the cam mhagnet leaks the oil is supposed to get trapped in that “jumper” harness.
it’s a well documented issue do a search for: oil harness cam sensor, and you can read all the horror stories. This is just one:
I recommend everyone I know with that style cam sensors to install the sacrificial harness kit. (To clarify: this kit is only for magnets you’ll need to replace cam sensors but they are easy to access ) https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/mer...des-2711500156
Be very careful,
IMHO that car is too expensive with those issues.
Last edited by crconsulting; Mar 20, 2022 at 11:27 AM.
We have a 2014 SL550 that just turned 50,000 miles. None of those issues so far. It seems overpriced with the needed repairs, but, in this crazy market someone will probably ante up. I would continue looking for one with less problems.
Was it ID'd and fixed after a R231 MY or is it likely to affect all R231s 2013 through 2020?
It can affect ANY engine that uses that cam sensor. M278 is well documented, but there are others, M276 etc… If you search, you’ll find plenty of horror stories.
There’s no real correlation and appears random. It’s unclear if the design has been changed, but usually when they are replaced they won’t leak again. Now in 5-7 years or so, I guess we’ll know for sure…
It is mostly preemptive. but can be used to save a harness if the oil can be cleaned out and hasn’t gotten too far. You still need to replace leaking cam sensors.
BTW that is a Mercedes’ factory “fix” with an MBZ part number, not an FCP part. So they, Mercedes, obviously knows the issue exists. 🤨
I have them on my car too, just in case, but I still check the connectors every oil change
Last edited by crconsulting; Nov 21, 2021 at 08:49 PM.
2019 SL450, 2019 E450 Luxury Trim Wagon, 2024 BMW I7 xDrive60
I would not walk away from this car, I would RUN! There are many SL’s out there that were the third or fourth vehicles in a household of only two people. There are many low mileage, “cream puff” examples out there, that have been meticulously maintained, you just need to be patient and keep looking. Good luck to you.
2015 SL400 (M276 Turbo), 2014 C350 Sport (M276 NA), 2004 SL500 (M113), 2004 Audi TT225 (BEA)
Originally Posted by tx170754
I wouldn't do business with a dealer selling this car, I'm quire sure it is not a reputable one (Mercedes, Audi, BMW etc) I guess at these days prices they try to sell you everything....And I wouldn't trust them to fix these issues either....
Crconsulting Is my 2020 SL 550 going to have these problems.
Thanks
Originally Posted by steve sl550
CR,How about my 2018 Sl550....prone to this problem as well?
Your cars (2018-2020) probably have the newer design cam sensors.
I would still keep an eye on any car before late 2016 to 2017 when it appears they moved to the latest revised part number.
It can affect ANY engine that uses that cam sensor. M278 is well documented, but there are others, M276 etc… If you search, you’ll find plenty of horror stories.
There’s no real correlation and appears random. It’s unclear if the design has been changed, but usually when they are replaced they won’t leak again. Now in 5-7 years or so, I guess we’ll know for sure…
It is mostly preemptive. but can be used to save a harness if the oil can be cleaned out and hasn’t gotten too far. You still need to replace leaking cam sensors.
BTW that is a Mercedes’ factory “fix” with an MBZ part number, not an FCP part. So they, Mercedes, obviously knows the issue exists. 🤨
I have them on my car too, just in case, but I still check the connectors every oil change
Unfortunately any engine that uses that cam sensor design including, M157, M276, M278 can all suffer the same fate.
I would keep an eye on it, especially on a car with over 30k miles. The the sacrificial harness kit is cheap insurance.
Last edited by crconsulting; Mar 19, 2022 at 03:51 PM.
Unfortunately any engine that uses that cam sensor design including, M157, M276, M278 can all suffer the same fate.
I would keep an eye on it, especially on a car with over 30k miles. The the sacrificial harness kit is cheap insurance.
Will do, thanks. I have my last service before my CPO extension expires in June so I'll have my dealer look over the car carefully. I should mention cam sensor oil leak as the issue?
I should mention cam sensor oil leak as the issue?
Depends on your dealers competency and willingness to perform preemptive maintenance. Unfortunately I don’t think there is a current TSB to reference. There is a TSB for the older M271 which had the same/similar issue.
Access to the harness isn’t bad once you have top covers off.
see locations in pic
Last edited by crconsulting; Mar 20, 2022 at 11:07 AM.
How can those with facelift (2017 and newer) tell if we have the newly designed cam sensors?
Is there a PN to reference or something on the build sheet that I/we can have our MB tech check?
See above links in post #5 for info. There are plenty of other threads if you search here.
To do the repair properly you need : (4 qty ) 2769051000 (Sensors) and (4 qty) 2761560790 (Magnets)
The magnets on your car should have markings. If they are the newer part numbers chances are the sensors are newest version too.
Last edited by crconsulting; Mar 19, 2022 at 09:29 PM.
Just to help clarify a little with some better pics.
Here’s a car I recently did with leaking cam sensors. 2013 sl550 in the 45,000 miles range. (bottom 4 pictures)
The connectors at the bottom cam sensors were soaked with oil on both sides 😟
The cam sensors & magnets are the older style.
The sensors are out and you can see the placement (circled in red) It should be similar on m276
There are camshaft control valve magnetic solenoids and camshaft position sensors. The camshaft sensors are more prone to leaking. Especially the bottom ones.
Access isn’t bad once you remove air ducts and covers (M278 pictured)
Last edited by crconsulting; Mar 20, 2022 at 11:28 AM.
For what it's worth, I bought my 2014 SL550 in October of 2020 for $49,300. It was a flawless one owner car with 18,157 miles on the odometer. If it was me, I'd pass on the car and keep looking. The right one is out there.
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