lkfoster

The wife's 2019 E53 Coupe with ~64k miles is in the dealer for a P0238 fault code (knock sensor #1 high value) and what sounds like a collapsed valve lifter. SA says there is noticeable wear on some of the cam lobes and they're waiting see what the boffins say (replace cams, head or engine; have to love ELWs!). Car has been dealer serviced and driven by a middle-aged woman. Has anybody hear chatter about cam wear on the I6 engines?

Dunkin9

I'm not sure this is the place to ask this question But, does anyone have info on MB dealers that offer reasonably priced ELWs? I've never been a fan of them . . . until I bought a Mercedes. Any input would be helpful even if just to point me to the right forum link.

Thanks

chassis

First report of a foundational problem on the M256.

Please keep the thread updated and best wishes for a speedy resolution.

TexAg91

+1 for use of the term, “Boffins”. Hope they get it resolved soon, and under warranty.

GregW / Oregon

PM me.

shekmark

Same car same year. Hope this works out for you. Has me worried as well. Of course, read enough of all these MBworld threads and most models worry me. I bought mine CPO . Won’t even consider owning it ( any MB) out of warranty. Shame.

lkfoster

Boffins say it's the cam solenoid and that they're replacing cams and lifters. I've built a number of engines, and mis-timed a few cams in my day and I have no idea how the two can be related. But that's what they're going to and we'll see.
Edit: Just found that the M256 engine has variable intake valve lift as well as variable intake and exhaust cam timing. That explains the reported cam solenoid failure mode apparently.

While poking around I also found that I won't be replacing the ISG in the garage, way too many specialized tools.

lkfoster

After 2.5 months and over $5,000 usd in major parts we have the car back. Major parts changed included both cam shafts, all rocker arms and lifters, the high pressure DI fuel pump and the motor control unit along with it's wiring harness. I can only imagine what the labor was.

Really happy that we bought the factory extended warranty, though I was a bit annoyed with them charging us for a replacement engine oil filter which the warranty doesn't cover even though it did cover the 9 quarts of oil and 2 gallons of coolant.

chassis

Thanks for the update and glad you have your car back. Are you saying the entire cost (except oil filter) was covered under warranty? Tough sledding when cam and fuel injection system needs to be replaced on a new engine platform. The most annoying thing for me would be to not have the vehicle for 2.5 months. What did they offer in terms of a loaner or rental compensation?

lkfoster

Yes, all costs other than the new oil filter were covered under that Mercedes ELW warranty.

No cars were available at the dealer where the work was done. It wasn't our normal dealer who I'm certain would have wrangled one up from somewhere. After two months we got Mercedes to offer to cover up to $1,000 in rental car fees which we didn't use. As it turned out she just took my car while I'm overseas which wasn't a bad thing, BEVs are a lot cheaper to run than cars in California with $6 a gallon petrol.