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When I did the timing alignment, I used a camshaft positioning tool. With this tool there is not margin of error having these synchronized with the crankshaft (having cylinder #1 on his highest compression point). Besides that, I was aware of problems with the reluctor plate, a common problem of the M274, and I saw that it was perfectly aligned the reluctor plate too , in perfect synchronization. I Also observe the valves position, and they were good. After I finished my job, I double check after the chain tensioner had the proper torque, and it didn't move at all. The Camshafts with positioning tool, plates perfectly aligned, crankshaft aligned.......
I procced to install the valve cover gasket, front cover, injectors, etc., etc. Even after all of this was done, I did the basic timing visual check through the positioning sensor's window, and it is good.
Now, I wonder if the reluctor plate moved. maybe I didn't tighten enough the control valve and the reluctor plate moved (I double check the torque 4 times....). I don't want to open again the valve cover .....time to Mercedes dealer? I am honestly about to quit before I hate this van. I love this van, but this is driving me crazy.
When I did the timing alignment, I used a camshaft positioning tool. With this tool there is not margin of error having these synchronized with the crankshaft (having cylinder #1 on his highest compression point). Besides that, I was aware of problems with the reluctor plate, a common problem of the M274, and I saw that it was perfectly aligned the reluctor plate too , in perfect synchronization. I Also observe the valves position, and they were good. After I finished my job, I double check after the chain tensioner had the proper torque, and it didn't move at all. The Camshafts with positioning tool, plates perfectly aligned, crankshaft aligned.......
I procced to install the valve cover gasket, front cover, injectors, etc., etc. Even after all of this was done, I did the basic timing visual check through the positioning sensor's window, and it is good.
Now, I wonder if the reluctor plate moved. maybe I didn't tighten enough the control valve and the reluctor plate moved (I double check the torque 4 times....). I don't want to open again the valve cover .....time to Mercedes dealer? I am honestly about to quit before I hate this van. I love this van, but this is driving me crazy.
Thank you so much!
Alejandro... it's you against the ECU!
Now we trust you triple-checked everything
so we can believe the ECU is wrong then!
Your ECU needs help...
What causes the ECU to flag bad position ?
It's reading a bad exhaust VVT Gear position, right?
New chain
new sprocket
new VVT Gears
new VVT Oil valve
new VVT solenoids
new CPS
new Tensioner
good camshafts
good reluctors position
...right?
Find the live data that's is flag bad then go about fuguring where it comes from: ECU < CPS < Reluctor < chain < sprocket < crank < CKP!
Something's jacked-up... what gives?
Is your CKP clean or loaded with magnetic shavings??
Last edited by CaliBenzDriver; Jul 3, 2025 at 06:05 PM.
CKP is brand new too. I replaced all the sensors that have something to do with the timing. The old one was in a great shape, no magnetic shavings.
I am going to check the exhaust camshaft control valve again. One thing I notice is the engine light turns on when I drive at high RPM. If I go at very low RPM, the light/code doesn't pop up. It is like the RPM triggers the code. This makes me thing about the control valve.......
Thank you so much for your help a, I know I will fix it, and Happy 4th!
CKP is brand new too. I replaced all the sensors that have something to do with the timing. The old one was in a great shape, no magnetic shavings.
I am going to check the exhaust camshaft control valve again. One thing I notice is the engine light turns on when I drive at high RPM. If I go at very low RPM, the light/code doesn't pop up. It is like the RPM triggers the code. This makes me thing about the control valve.......
Thank you so much for your help a, I know I will fix it, and Happy 4th!
Don Alejandro, a good 4th o' July comes with a victory!
You've done all the hard work of parts swap - This thing must start running right!
> ONE SMALL DETAIL:
Let's put on your thinking-cap:
What's the ECU FAULT CODE complaining about?
Look at the live data for that condition
What's causing that to happen...
Then you've got sharp FOCUS!
The weird thing is exhaust VVT hardly gets active at nirmal driving Rpm. It's more if a high Rpm helper.
When you look at live numbers you're going to see something jacked-up with exhaust timing correction.
Every part involved is new. Troubleshooting the fault is now mandatory.
At higher Rpm Exhaust VVT has plenty of pressure to work well (UNLIKE Intake VVT at 1400.Rpm: not enough pressure).
I think something's overlooked... data will tell.
Last edited by CaliBenzDriver; Jul 4, 2025 at 05:00 PM.
I did my very best to understand the cause of the problem. The plates were aligned with the marks having the positioning tool installed, timing was by the book. But it looks the problem is the camshaft reluctor plate.....
I finally took the car to a very good mechanic. He did an extensive analysis, and he has no doubts the problem is the reluctor plate. It looks like this is a very common defect of the Metris. It moves; therefore, the timing is wrong, and the ECU reads that position of the exhaust camshaft is wrong and throws the code. This is also the reason of the poor acceleration since the timing is wrong, and the car is in a slight limp mode to protect the engine.
Next step is replacing the camshafts and hopefully the Metris will be back.
Thank you all fo your comments and support, for your contribution and opinions.
I did my very best to understand the cause of the problem. The plates were aligned with the marks having the positioning tool installed, timing was by the book. But it looks the problem is the camshaft reluctor plate.....
I finally took the car to a very good mechanic. He did an extensive analysis, and he has no doubts the problem is the reluctor plate. It looks like this is a very common defect of the Metris. It moves; therefore, the timing is wrong, and the ECU reads that position of the exhaust camshaft is wrong and throws the code. This is also the reason of the poor acceleration since the timing is wrong, and the car is in a slight limp mode to protect the engine.
Next step is replacing the camshafts and hopefully the Metris will be back.
Thank you all fo your comments and support, for your contribution and opinions.
Cheers!
Now that the reluctor is confirmed to be your issue, couple things:
-- Not all reluctors got shifted. Likely only one did.
-- New camshaft has the same built-in loose-reluctor feature.
-- All that needs to happen is reluctor get moved back a 1/4-Inch into place. Save cost of new camshaft.
You have 2 pairs of identical camshafts (4Pcs) you can use as reference.
Use the ok camshaft to help you reset reluctor on the "faulty" camshaft, perfectly good otherwise.
The loose reluctor guaranties customers can only ignore rattling VVT until timing faults are sets.
Last edited by CaliBenzDriver; Jul 17, 2025 at 05:13 PM.
The technician told me the plate is damage. Maybe warped?
Thinking back, the reason that forced me go ahead to replace the exhaust camshaft adjuster, and since that, replacing everything else, is because the spring of the exhaust adjuster popped out breaking the exhaust camshaft magnet positioning sensor. Now I wonder if the plate is warped..........I forgot to tell him this, just to provide him all the possible information.
I am just looking forward for next step! This
van is gonna fly like an F16.
Last edited by Alejandro@@; Jul 17, 2025 at 07:58 PM.
Reason: need to add something
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