Bulletproof Your Biturbo (M278, M157 common problems & fixes)

READ DESCRIPTION! IMPORTANT INFO!


Oil pump solenoid thread. Ridiculously long, don't read all of it, basic gist of it is that the oil pump goes into a low pressure mode at low engine load, which affects the piston squirters most. May or may not be the direct cause of the bore score issue. Some think it's bad because it weakens the oil, but who cares you do it every 3k miles anyways. Right?
https://mbworld.org/forums/w212-amg/8...

When doing the turbo coolant lines replace everything listed below, especially the oil filter housing thermostat and the gaskets. Also would recommend doing the thermostat because you will most likely break it if you remove it.

Oil Filter Housing gasket (replace while you are doing coolant lined)
https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/merc...

Oil filter housing thermostat (also replace)
https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/cove...

Oil cooler gasket (must remove tensioner to access, super easy though)
https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/merc...

Coolant line - passenger side
https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/merc...

Coolant line - driver side 1
https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/merc...

Coolant line - Driver side 2
https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/merc...

Remember, don't bother with removing the aluminum lines. You do still need to purchase the plastic connectors that go into the block as those are a likely failure point. Follow the tutorial below.
Rubber coolant hose upgrade
https://mbworld.org/forums/w212-amg/8...

Leaky harness fix
Camshaft position sensor kit (optional, I would just RTV the insides of your current ones)
https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/merc...

Camshaft solenoid wiring harness protection kit (optional, these rarely leak, the pigtail kit will be more than enough)
https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/merc...

Camshaft solenoid O rings (requires 4, replace when doing the leaky timing covers)
https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/merc...

Harness extension kit / sacrificial pigtail kit (Required! Do this no matter what, even if you are not leaking. If you are going to do the RTV mod, use these, NOT the oem plugs!!!!)
https://www.ebay.com/itm/335118729029

Timing cover reseal video - do this while you're in there doing the camshaft solenoids. Definitely do it if the one over the alternator is leaking.
   • Mercedes timing cover / cam magnet re...  


Always on intercooler pump mod
https://mbworld.org/forums/w212-amg/7...

Spark plugs
Washers - https://www.amazon.com/HELIFOUNER-M12...
Spark plug kit - https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/merc...
You must index spark plugs properly or you will damage the engine. Excellent video by Exotic Car DIY on how to do it below. The washers are 1mm washers which are required for the Bosch spark plugs that are $200 cheaper to get than OEM ones.
M157 E63 Spark Plug Install & INDEXING -    • M157 E63 Spark Plug Install & INDEXING  

Vacuum Diaphragm Options
$10 - https://www.ebay.com/itm/335073607706...

$10 - https://www.amazon.com/MagiDeal-DS7G-...

$44 - https://www.amazon.com/Klifex-Vacuum-...

$2 - https://www.aliexpress.com/item/32568...

You get what you pay for. No issues with the ebay one, but a genuine one would be better.

Vacuum Hose Connector for boost solenoid
https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/merc...

Coolant expansion cap
https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/merc...

Oil
https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/5w-4...

Tensioner rattle TSB
https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/tsbs/201...
If you have a 157 your engine was fully updated with engine 1579xx 60 047752 which was around 2014. The M278 was fully updated after engine 2789xx 30 191843. Use the website lastvin.com to get your engine number and check.

Tensioner repair kit (If you do not need check valves do not buy this kit, it's way overpriced. Just get the tensioners themselves.
https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/merc...