E63S -stock - sputtering start? 39k mile
12-10-2020, 11:42 PM
#1
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E63 SL55 996TT C5Z06
E63S -stock - sputtering start? 39k mile
My 2015 E63S has 39k miles running all Stock ECU and I just recently started noticing a sputtering at start up which happens about every other start up attempt.
It’s not the battery as the volts are 14.2 and it cranks immediately but is taking an additional 2-3 seconds to sputter then it starts and runs fine. I have zero CELs or codes and dealer said they couldn’t find anything wrong.
I have one year left on my MB extended warranty and hope to get this sorted out before that expires - am wondering if this is injectors or fuel pump what could be causing it?
here is a 10 second video (turn volume up) - would appreciate any thoughts. Thx fellas
It’s not the battery as the volts are 14.2 and it cranks immediately but is taking an additional 2-3 seconds to sputter then it starts and runs fine. I have zero CELs or codes and dealer said they couldn’t find anything wrong.
I have one year left on my MB extended warranty and hope to get this sorted out before that expires - am wondering if this is injectors or fuel pump what could be causing it?
here is a 10 second video (turn volume up) - would appreciate any thoughts. Thx fellas
12-11-2020, 12:05 AM
#2
This is what I found:
https://forums.mbclub.co.uk/threads/...-p0018.246483/
https://forums.mbclub.co.uk/threads/...-p0018.246483/
Sounds like your cam chain(s) have stretched.
Normally symptoms are p0016/17/18/19 faults which is the CPS not detecting the correct position of the cam timing chain.
Other linked causes are a failed CPS, oil ingress in the CPS, ECU loom oil ingress.
It’ll throw a code to start with and after a few miles it’ll come back on, normally on start up. Next stage is the car taking longer to start, this gets worse and eventually will throw a code every time.
For all early M157 engines (2011-12) there was an issue that required the cam tensioners and check valves to be installed due to oil circulation issues on start up. As this was never a recall item, then many cars will have never had it done. The downside for these cars is that in time the chain will stretch and cause position issues and in some cases cause the chain to jump a tooth....not good.
It’s a big watch out for any M157 owners whose engines never had the original work done, plus MB should be ashamed of themselves for never making it a recall item, especially as all cars post 2012 had the new tensioners and check valve fitted, they’ve even upgraded the design of the chains and sprockets!!
With the age and Mileage of these cars there will be more needing this work. I know of some that have stretched at circa 30k miles!
Normally symptoms are p0016/17/18/19 faults which is the CPS not detecting the correct position of the cam timing chain.
Other linked causes are a failed CPS, oil ingress in the CPS, ECU loom oil ingress.
It’ll throw a code to start with and after a few miles it’ll come back on, normally on start up. Next stage is the car taking longer to start, this gets worse and eventually will throw a code every time.
For all early M157 engines (2011-12) there was an issue that required the cam tensioners and check valves to be installed due to oil circulation issues on start up. As this was never a recall item, then many cars will have never had it done. The downside for these cars is that in time the chain will stretch and cause position issues and in some cases cause the chain to jump a tooth....not good.
It’s a big watch out for any M157 owners whose engines never had the original work done, plus MB should be ashamed of themselves for never making it a recall item, especially as all cars post 2012 had the new tensioners and check valve fitted, they’ve even upgraded the design of the chains and sprockets!!
With the age and Mileage of these cars there will be more needing this work. I know of some that have stretched at circa 30k miles!
12-11-2020, 06:16 PM
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I think it might be the crank position sensor As the starting issues happen even when I’ve had a half tank or more of fuel in the car.
I’ll put a full tank in it and schedule a visit to the dealer to have them take a look at it.
Thanks for your help really appreciate it
12-11-2020, 06:18 PM
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Will report back once I get the dealer To take a look at it
12-11-2020, 07:27 PM
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By sputtering, are you referring to longer engine cranking needed to start? Is this the noise in the video? Or this noise before the cranking begins? Also, in the video, it seems that you turned the actual keyfob in ignition immediately. What are the symptoms when you just turn ignition, no starting yet? Same issue with the Start button and keyfob?
Last edited by maxusa; 12-12-2020 at 01:52 AM.
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12-12-2020, 04:20 PM
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By sputtering, are you referring to longer engine cranking needed to start? Is this the noise in the video? Or this noise before the cranking begins? Also, in the video, it seems that you turned the actual keyfob in ignition immediately. What are the symptoms when you just turn ignition, no starting yet? Same issue with the Start button and keyfob?
Several have suggested it’s the CPS so will get the car to the dealer Monday snd report back on what they find.
really appreciate everyone’s input on this
12-12-2020, 06:28 PM
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2014 E63S; AMS 100 octane ecu tune; edok tcu tune; BB intakes; dyno tuned
It may still be a bad battery, you need the battery tested under a load at the dealership.
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12-12-2020, 06:44 PM
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On the shoulder
I had a similar (maybe same) thing - mine was battery. It was the original battery. You can check the date on your battery. I know you said that was already checked and it is has sufficient power, but mine was as well. Best of luck.
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12-14-2020, 12:31 AM
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Peter thanks for the feedback. I put the battery on a trickle charger the last two days and it’s been starting totally fine right now so maybe it was the battery as you suggested!
12-14-2020, 12:33 AM
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cotmfk (12-14-2020)
03-11-2021, 10:54 PM
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yes that sputtering at start up for 2-3 seconds is what I’m referring to. It always starts up whenever I attempt to start the car but seems every 1 in 4 starts has this sputtering.
Several have suggested it’s the CPS so will get the car to the dealer Monday snd report back on what they find.
really appreciate everyone’s input on this
Several have suggested it’s the CPS so will get the car to the dealer Monday snd report back on what they find.
really appreciate everyone’s input on this
I checked the cam sensors and magnets for oil contamination and they looked okay.
Did you end up resolving this issue?
04-25-2022, 12:13 PM
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E63 Amg
I am having the same symptom on my 14 ML63 PP. it happens only after my car has reached operating temp and then parked and restarted again after 3-4 hours.
I checked the cam sensors and magnets for oil contamination and they looked okay.
Did you end up resolving this issue?
I checked the cam sensors and magnets for oil contamination and they looked okay.
Did you end up resolving this issue?
Did you find a solution?
04-25-2022, 12:22 PM
#17
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i still have this issue as well... the sputtering at start up. it seems to happen about every 3-4 starts whether its cold start or been driven and restarted. my battery is 4 years old but i keep the car on a battery trickle charger and from what the battery readings show the battery is OK. car drives totally fine just have this intermittent sputtering to deal with at 45k miles now on my 2015.
04-25-2022, 01:48 PM
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I am having the same symptom on my 14 ML63 PP. it happens only after my car has reached operating temp and then parked and restarted again after 3-4 hours.
I checked the cam sensors and magnets for oil contamination and they looked okay.
Did you end up resolving this issue?
I checked the cam sensors and magnets for oil contamination and they looked okay.
Did you end up resolving this issue?
05-12-2022, 12:01 AM
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Do you notice it cranks longer before starting? It is hard to hear in the OP's video. Ive noticed lately mine will crank longer before starting in a similar scenario - drive it, gets up to operating them, then it sits for a few hours. Fuel level doesn't matter, main battery is less than a year old.
no clue whats going on but car performs perfectly fine aside from this sputtering start. not sure if the race fuel (100oct) clogs something in the injectors or fuel pump or whats going on but would like to sort this out
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BCP (05-12-2022)
05-12-2022, 02:05 PM
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BCP - hey replied to your post on the whatsapp thread too about this, but yes mine takes about 3-4 seconds at times (every 4th or 5th start) to crank and start up. It happens more when the car has been driven and you park/stop then couple hours later start again. This all started happening to me when i did my race fuel tune (all hardware stayed stock) and I thought the tuner left the lights on or something to drain the battery. Battery tests at 12.7 or so when cold and stays at 14+ when car is operating and the dealer said battery is fine.
no clue whats going on but car performs perfectly fine aside from this sputtering start. not sure if the race fuel (100oct) clogs something in the injectors or fuel pump or whats going on but would like to sort this out
no clue whats going on but car performs perfectly fine aside from this sputtering start. not sure if the race fuel (100oct) clogs something in the injectors or fuel pump or whats going on but would like to sort this out
05-12-2022, 10:38 PM
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BCP - hey replied to your post on the whatsapp thread too about this, but yes mine takes about 3-4 seconds at times (every 4th or 5th start) to crank and start up. It happens more when the car has been driven and you park/stop then couple hours later start again. This all started happening to me when i did my race fuel tune (all hardware stayed stock) and I thought the tuner left the lights on or something to drain the battery. Battery tests at 12.7 or so when cold and stays at 14+ when car is operating and the dealer said battery is fine.
no clue whats going on but car performs perfectly fine aside from this sputtering start. not sure if the race fuel (100oct) clogs something in the injectors or fuel pump or whats going on but would like to sort this out
no clue whats going on but car performs perfectly fine aside from this sputtering start. not sure if the race fuel (100oct) clogs something in the injectors or fuel pump or whats going on but would like to sort this out
11-12-2022, 01:24 AM
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ALL IS FIXED - THE SPUTTERING WAS CAUSED BY OIL SEEPING INTO MY 4 CAM SENSORS AND 4 CAM SOLENOIDS WHICH HAS BEEN MENTIONED ON THIS FORUM.
DONT DELAY - replace your 4 cam sensors (very easy DIY and cheap part from FCP euro for 40 bucks each) and replace your 2 cam solenoids which are easy to replace (the other 2 are behind the turbos and hard to reach)
I have not had one sputtering start since I replaced. The parts mentioned here in my car is running fantastic. No oil in the ecu harness either
here is my very clumsy DIY video on how to replace the 4 sensors
https://youtu.be/v5BgftLCqJA
DONT DELAY - replace your 4 cam sensors (very easy DIY and cheap part from FCP euro for 40 bucks each) and replace your 2 cam solenoids which are easy to replace (the other 2 are behind the turbos and hard to reach)
I have not had one sputtering start since I replaced. The parts mentioned here in my car is running fantastic. No oil in the ecu harness either
here is my very clumsy DIY video on how to replace the 4 sensors
https://youtu.be/v5BgftLCqJA
Last edited by jvakos; 11-12-2022 at 01:29 AM.
