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I was going to finally install the blackboost intake I got a few months ago and decided to check my camshaft sensors and found a not so nice surprise.
all 4 sensor have oil in them and so does the ecu pins.
I ordered new 4 new sensors but what to see what you guy use the clean the sockets and the ecu pins? I read contact cleaner but is there a specific type?
any recommendations on how to get oil out of the harness? And should I not drive it?
I was going to finally install the blackboost intake I got a few months ago and decided to check my camshaft sensors and found a not so nice surprise.
all 4 sensor have oil in them and so does the ecu pins.
I ordered new 4 new sensors but what to see what you guy use the clean the sockets and the ecu pins? I read contact cleaner but is there a specific type?
any recommendations on how to get oil out of the harness? And should I not drive it?
How does oil end up on the ecu pins when it's away from everything?
Lots written about this situation on this site. M274, M276, M278 and M157 engines are affected. The latest sensor and magnet part numbers in WIS seem to be trouble free. The considerable number of part number changes visible in WIS suggests MB knows/knew there was a problem and tried several times to fix it with new part numbers.
The sensor fails, meaning the plastic injection molded housing is compromised. No one has yet shown a photo of this. Oil then enters the interior of the sensor and wicks onto the connector pins.
From there it travels by capillary action through the connector and into the harness. Destinations include the ECU, O2 sensors and fuel injectors, depending on the length of time and quantity of oil that has contaminated the harness.
Minimum acceptable solution is to replace the cam position sensors and cam magnets. Next is the engine harness, ECU and any other contaminated components. This is not fatal, but could be expensive if not caught early.
Lots written about this situation on this site. M274, M276, M278 and M157 engines are affected. The latest sensor and magnet part numbers in WIS seem to be trouble free. The considerable number of part number changes visible in WIS suggests MB knows/knew there was a problem and tried several times to fix it with new part numbers.
The sensor fails, meaning the plastic injection molded housing is compromised. No one has yet shown a photo of this. Oil then enters the interior of the sensor and wicks onto the connector pins.
From there it travels by capillary action through the connector and into the harness. Destinations include the ECU, O2 sensors and fuel injectors, depending on the length of time and quantity of oil that has contaminated the harness.
Minimum acceptable solution is to replace the cam position sensors and cam magnets. Next is the engine harness, ECU and any other contaminated components. This is not fatal, but could be expensive if not caught early.
So can someone who doesn't have issues with this defective part go out and buy the latest cam sensors and replace it before problem arises? Are the cam magnets inside the timing cover or?
So can someone who doesn't have issues with this defective part go out and buy the latest cam sensors and replace it before problem arises? Are the cam magnets inside the timing cover or?
Yes the new magnets and sensors can be installed. Some people on this site have done this. The magnet is self contained. The are visible on the outside of the front of the cylinder head. Large black round plastic pucks.
Ops oil on the Ecu pins was similar to mine. Changed all eight magnets and sensors and cleaned ethe ecu and all accessible areas of the harness with three cans or more. I basically sprayed till the yellow oil stopped showing on the ecu, and connectors and out of the harness.
This is easy to inspect for, correctable if caught early enough, and pictures are posted in other threads of how the oil comes through at the pins of the connection. Think how a wire through plastic cannot remain sealed forever due to heat and vibration. This is as mentioned, an old problem in lots of engines. Wild it can’t be fixed.
The word everyone is looking for is “wicking”. The strands of wound wire act like a wick due to the voids between the wires creating capillary action. Oil also spreads naturally until it runs out so when it has this easy path, it takes it.
This is for almost every Mercedes owner to take the two minutes to check.
Originally Posted by AMGfifty5
My car seems to be running strong no codes. Just came from the dealer and they didn’t even notice it.
Hopefully I caught it early enough that the ecu harness lasts.
There is no definitive engine number, VIN or model year for the latest cam sensors or magnets. A guess is that around the 2016-2017 time frame is when the latest parts were introduced. That is a rough estimate and not a precise statement.
Simply use the latest part number in WIS for your car. That is the definitive source. You need to either have WIS access (ebay), call a dealer, or order from mbparts.mbusa.com to get the latest part number.
Ops oil on the Ecu pins was similar to mine. Changed all eight magnets and sensors and cleaned ethe ecu and all accessible areas of the harness with three cans or more. I basically sprayed till the yellow oil stopped showing on the ecu, and connectors and out of the harness.
This is easy to inspect for, correctable if caught early enough, and pictures are posted in other threads of how the oil comes through at the pins of the connection. Think how a wire through plastic cannot remain sealed forever due to heat and vibration. This is as mentioned, an old problem in lots of engines. Wild it can’t be fixed.
The word everyone is looking for is “wicking”. The strands of wound wire act like a wick due to the voids between the wires creating capillary action. Oil also spreads naturally until it runs out so when it has this easy path, it takes it.
This is for almost every Mercedes owner to take the two minutes to check.
Hey anything extra involved in replacing the 4 magnets ? Oil filter housing removal for driver side (gasket needed for that?)
14 E63, 05 E55, 03 Evo 8, 08 F250, 06 R6R, 92 Talon TSI, and instability
Originally Posted by SilverE5588
Hey anything extra involved in replacing the 4 magnets ? Oil filter housing removal for driver side (gasket needed for that?)
There is a gasket back there to replace should you remove the housing. However, it is possible to replace that magnet without removing the housing with a little finagling. Still requires removal of the filter and cover though to give you the necessary clearance.
Yes the new magnets and sensors can be installed. Some people on this site have done this. The magnet is self contained. The are visible on the outside of the front of the cylinder head. Large black round plastic pucks.
Sorry, please elaborate on what these are a where they're located. I have access to EPC and can't find them.
There is a gasket back there to replace should you remove the housing. However, it is possible to replace that magnet without removing the housing with a little finagling. Still requires removal of the filter and cover though to give you the necessary clearance.
Sounds good .. which cover ? not with the car now .. sorry if its self explanatory .
Lots written about this situation on this site. M274, M276, M278 and M157 engines are affected. The latest sensor and magnet part numbers in WIS seem to be trouble free. The considerable number of part number changes visible in WIS suggests MB knows/knew there was a problem and tried several times to fix it with new part numbers.
The sensor fails, meaning the plastic injection molded housing is compromised. No one has yet shown a photo of this. Oil then enters the interior of the sensor and wicks onto the connector pins.
From there it travels by capillary action through the connector and into the harness. Destinations include the ECU, O2 sensors and fuel injectors, depending on the length of time and quantity of oil that has contaminated the harness.
Minimum acceptable solution is to replace the cam position sensors and cam magnets. Next is the engine harness, ECU and any other contaminated components. This is not fatal, but could be expensive if not caught early.
Do you have the current part numbers from WIS for the magnets and sensors? I'd like to order the correct parts.
03-16-2022, 11:18 AM
