CLK 280 Engine management light on

[mike523442]

Morning all

The engine management light has came on, then off, then on, then off and now back on on my 06 CLK 280.

Code is coming up as 0060 camshaft sensor bank 1

Ive had it looked at and a new Vanos sensor is £513 and a 2 day fitting job, my question is this, the car drives just the same, no problems, Ive just drove 400 mile with the light on,and then it went off! has anyone else had this issue and what if the sensor isn't the problem? I would guess its a major strip down ?

Any advice would be appreciated

 

[def90cars]

my cel..tech said the first is a Cam displacement sensor....any advise

Maybe be of no use.

 

[tanuie]

Hi, bad luck, have a look at the 272 engine threads.

 

[mike523442]

Thanks tanuie

It looks like I'm in the 1st category, according to my engine number ! and will most definitely be an expensive repair.

The car, although doing a lot of miles, is my second car and is probably not worth spending the money on but has anyone had this done at full price in the UK and could give me a rough figure?

I don't want to spend £1500 ish on the solenoid and then need to spend even more on the cog repairs

Mike

 

[Codger49]

Where do you live?

I too have a 2006 CLK280 and am very aware that this issue might arise. The last time mine was in at Stevenson's Independent Mercedes Specialist (between Tunbridge Wells and Maidstone in Kent), we briefly touched on this and Steve mentioned it could be close to £3k, but that was for everything possible he said, balance shaft, cam shaft timing and something else to do with the camshafts.

If you are down South, I would also contact PCS in Horndean, they seem very highly regarded on here.

PS How many miles has it done?

 

[mike523442]

Afternoon Codger49

I am currently working in Essex but I live in Cumbria

I have had it in at a place in lakeside, Prestige , nice guys they cleaned the solenoid and the light went off but they did say if a replacement solenoid didn't do the trick a strip down would be required.
Its intermittent when it comes on and off and I don't lose any power or have any engine problems
Its done 96K, been quoted £2200 for a second hand engine

Mike

 

[Codger49]

Mike523442,

Just been checking the history file from my previous owner. At 52k miles in 2011 my car had 2 exhaust camshaft solenoids and 2 magnets replaced after the then owner had the engine light come on. This was done by an MB dealer at a cost of £165.

The car is now at 69k miles with no further issues in the intervening 4 years, so maybe yours might be similar.

The second hand engine route could be tricky, it would have to have a number out of the problem ranges and a good warranty for me to consider one. I think I would rather pay a few (but not too many) hundred more for my own to be rebuilt by a good specialist.

Hopefully you wont need one though.

 

[mike523442]

Codger49

I , like you would prefer to pay to have my own motor fixed. I have done a little research and apparently to check the worn cogs means the engine needs removed so that in itself won't be cheap.
I will have a think over the next few weeks and see if I can speak with the guy at Prestige in Lakeside and see what he thinks, I don't mind paying the going rate but it seems to me there could be a couple of options, as you said, before going down the major route.

Mike

 

[Codger49]

Three points in support of a wait and see approach:

A MB Diagnostic Technician told me he had seen very few 280s with the worn cogs fault, it was far more common on 350s.

As you have found out, it's around half the price (or more) just to inspect them.

The cars are now 9 years old, insurance companies may well write them off after any shunt they might have.

 

[mike523442]

Codger49

I will speak with the Prestige guys and see what they say Ill let you know if any developments

Mike

 

[mike523442]

Codger49

Ive rang Prestige and he quoted me around about £1500 to do the solenoid which is in my price range but I may ring about and see what prices I can get elsewhere. He said he can do the job but hadn't done one before and would need to get some of the specialist tools that are needed.
Ive been offered another engine with 37k on it but its coming in the same category as my own so may well have the same issue!

Ill make a few enquiries and see what kind of prices I can get

Mike

 

[Codger49]

I've looked further at the PO dealer invoice, the £165 charge was for replacing 2 of the 4 solenoids and included the parts cost (2x MA272 051 01 77). There was also an invoice for £107 for the dealers investigation of the check engine light.

Your quote of £1500 for the solenoids seems high in the light of my data.

I would recommend talking to Wayne Gates in Harrow or MSL in Birmingham, both of these are often recommended on this forum for their work and also for their advice.

Have you read the Mercedes TSB on the M272 balance shaft issues, it appears there are different fault codes raised for 'cog' and 'solenoid' issues, so which one is actually affecting your car should be distinguishable.

 

[mike523442]

Hi Codger49

I have read quite a bit of info but I am still a bit confused too be honest, I made some enquiries with a company nearer my home in Cumbria, quoted my Engine number 272940 30 428875 and they told me my engine wasn't at risk of the cog issues?? and that it was more than likely the solenoid!! The code i was given by prestige 0060 " adjustment of exhaust camshaft for bank 1 " (exhaust vanos adjustment solenoid)
The price for the Vanos is on the invoice as £513 !!
Ive rang about a few low mileage engines, ranging between £1500, 37k miles and 0 miles £3k but Im none have given me the engine number as yet

So I'm still no further forward !!

 

[tanuie]

Be careful if you buy another engine you could have the same problems.

 

[Codger49]

The MB TSB (http://www.benzbits.com/balanceshafttsb.pdf) states M272 engines up to number 468993 are at risk from the 'cogs' issue and engines up to 759427 for the 'camshaft adjustment solenoid' issue. Code 60 is mentioned in the TSB as an indication for the solenoid scenario (Scenario 2).

The TSB fix for the solenoid issue refers to replacing only the 'magnets', not the entire camshaft adjustment mechanism (VANOS in BMW terms).

Caveat, the TSB I have seen is dated 2009, there may have been a later revision.

Personally, I would talk to one of the forum recommended indies, it may well be worth your while raising a thread to seek one in Cumbria.

 

[mike523442]

Hi Codger49

I have read the link and printed it off for some quiet reading this weekend! the number does show mine in the cog issue category but there is no mention, that I can see, of the 0060 code until you get to scenario 2 as you have said, this is why I am confused, if it is the cog issue would I get a different code? or am I the extremely unlucky guy that has both issues !! I'm not sure what the magnets are but i will have a read this weekend, and perhaps next week i will call the guys you recommended in your earlier post , see what they recommend
Mike

 

[Codger49]

'Cog' issue apparently generates codes 1200 and/or 1208. Maybe you just have the 'solenoid' issue, as did my car in 2011.

The independent I use is Steve Garlick (Stevensons Independent Mercedes Specialist (01622 815 227)) near Maidstone, until last year he was a Diagnostic Technician at a MB Main Dealer. He certainly has the required knowledge and has been helpful on the phone to other forum members, but may need to see the car to be specific.

 

[mike523442]

Codger49

Thanks very much for your advice and info
I will call your man on Monday and see what he thinks, my sister in law lives in Maidstone, Im working in Dagenham but in a hotel in West Thurrock so not too far from the big bridge, Ill see what he says and let you know if any developments

Thanks again for you time , have a good weekend, much appreciated

Mike

 

[Codger49]

Mike, any progress yet?