Mercedes-Benz A-Class A150 W169 - Mercedes Timing chain P0016 fault

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Sat 28 Jul 2018 10:49
Mercedes-Benz A-Class A150 W169 - Mercedes Timing chain P0016 fault - martin blackett

Got code come up P0016 on A class W169 A150 2006 year

It says crank and cam sensor correlation

I fitted new sensors to no avail.Looked up online and found lots of similar things not good reading, timing chain out etc costing £1000 plus A class engine has to come out.

Car has 69000 genuine and full MB history so seems pretty poor fo this to happen.

Took to my local good garage, said it very common on range of cars, his version was chain may have stretched a miniscopic amount to put the light on. He said to just drive it as normal as not a major problem, it is due to the tiny tolerances set to make the engine light come on.as if light not on you cannot tell any difference in driving or engine.

This garage seem to know their stuff and i have known them year and have a top reputation but no harm in second opinion.

Others seem to say, get fixed or get rid ASAP , most web info is based on bigger Mercs and very little info on the A class.

Am wondering what to do for the best as its like a new car in condition.

Edited by martin blackett on 28/07/2018 at 10:51

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Sat 28 Jul 2018 12:32
Mercedes-Benz A-Class A150 W169 - Mercedes Timing chain P0016 fault - John F

Here's an interesting link (pun intended)

www.aclassinfo.co.uk/mypage.57a.htm

I am no fan of chains now that modern belts are so much better and don't have dozens of links to wear and 'stretch'. MB offer the wily advice that the chain will last the life of the engine. Indeed it will, because if it breaks, so will the engine! Might just be a stuck tensioner not doing its job, although I think would be noisy if chain thrashing not purring.

I would try disconnecting the battery for five minutes - this sometimes mysteriously extinguishes an EML. Then I would try an oil flush and change followed by Italian tune up when engine fully warmed up. If all that fails, I would just live with it if no harsh sounds, smells or power loss.

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Sat 28 Jul 2018 12:44
Mercedes-Benz A-Class A150 W169 - Mercedes Timing chain P0016 fault - martin blackett

Thanks for that

I too thought chains far better and got a same car on 114000 with no probs.

i wondered if i changed also the tensioner it may help as wouldnt the push on it be a bit stronger, it seems to be the cam and crank sensors are mismatched when the ecu tries to time the engine correctly or that was my garage chaps reasoning.

No noise on engine when start up or running , smooth and refined.

You get so many opposing theorys online you dont know which to think right, Some say get rid asap others its fine just leave it, Very little info on W169 and this problem even on that loftys website the expert, even he has no page on this problem.

seem the larger V engines suffer more and some responsibility was taken by MB years ago its too late now for the cars who problems now start , low milage but over many many years.

Edited by martin blackett on 28/07/2018 at 12:45

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Sat 28 Jul 2018 14:10
Mercedes-Benz A-Class A150 W169 - Mercedes Timing chain P0016 fault - gordonbennet

Is that a single timing chain i can see, if so then MB's don't seem to do too well with them.

The 1.8 petrol engines found in noughties C Class was a single chain, my MB indy says its best to change that chain at some 80k miles, apparently it's a Mitsubishi engine, i wonder if your engine is related?

As above i'd rather have a well designed simple to change belt drive, preferably one which doesn't drive the water pump, there is no reason for a cam belt to drive anything else except the camshaft(s), and there is no reason why 1 hour should be exceeded for the belt change time, if Toyota can do this why can't others.

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Sat 28 Jul 2018 15:40
Mercedes-Benz A-Class A150 W169 - Mercedes Timing chain P0016 fault - elekie&a/c doctor

I think I would be inclined to leave it alone. The car is not worth a lot,so investing money into repairs that will make little difference to its running is pointless. It's engine out for most things on these A -class models,even changing a starter motor (using MB method)

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Sun 29 Jul 2018 11:55
Mercedes-Benz A-Class A150 W169 - Mercedes Timing chain P0016 fault - martin blackett

Thanks for replies

not much else can do really but leave it be or sell it but just wanted second opinions on garage chaps advice to not bother about it and drive as normal

Car only travels few miles each day to work

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Wed 1 Aug 2018 08:28
Mercedes-Benz A-Class A150 W169 - Mercedes Timing chain P0016 fault - martin blackett

For anyone this may help.

i had a thought that if chain was sloppy or loose or strectched as the experts told me and this had caused the P0016 correlation code maybe a new tensioner would help.

Removed old one as on A class W169 petrol its an easyish job with a compact socket set.

Put new one in and cleared codes, ran engine started stops and magic, no faults.

The old units plunger was siezed solid as a rock, this with 69000 genuine miles and full MB histiry.

Remember to remove the top sealing cap on your old tensioner as for some reason the FEBI one i got had a cap over that i thought was a seal. How wrong i was. . on start up the oil pressure blew 1/2 gallon new oil all over drive., was told they are all supplied like that but have no mention of needing to use old seal bolt on the fitting instructions. madness ! why not supply a ready to fit unit, its a simply small bolt you screw in the top.

So there you are, a fixed Merc.

Edited by martin blackett on 01/08/2018 at 08:29

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Wed 1 Aug 2018 10:27
Mercedes-Benz A-Class A150 W169 - Mercedes Timing chain P0016 fault - John F

This garage seem to know their stuff and i have known them year and have a top reputation but no harm in second opinion.

No they don't! They should have suggested a stuck tensioner as a likely diagnosis. You yourself thought of it, so did I - an amateur with little knowledge of MB engines - and so did the last poster. So often an air of authority and flashy surroundings can inspire misplaced confidence in what is often a brainless incompetent outfit focusing more on the bottom line than the needs of the client.

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Wed 1 Aug 2018 21:20
Mercedes-Benz A-Class A150 W169 - Mercedes Timing chain P0016 fault - martin blackett

yes think you right there, live and learn inthe car trade

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Wed 1 Aug 2018 23:11
Mercedes-Benz A-Class A150 W169 - Mercedes Timing chain P0016 fault - martin blackett

this is odd

the engine light has returned with same code, has run a good few days and many stops and restarts. before it was on every time after one start if you turned light out.

its not coming on as often after being cleared as before new tensioner though.

no noises, no rattling from cold . engine very quiet any ideas ?

Thanks

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Thu 2 Aug 2018 10:09
Mercedes-Benz A-Class A150 W169 - Mercedes Timing chain P0016 fault - John F

Probably a worn 'stretched' (elongated) chain. Nissan Almeras had that problem 10yrs ago. Disgraceful that MB has same. Shouldn't affect performance greatly unless EMS puts it into limp mode or something..... That's why so many chain designs for larger engines have an intermediate sprocket to avoid very long chains. But then that's just another bearing to fail....viz. Porsche Boxter. Belts are better now!

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Thu 2 Aug 2018 13:32
Mercedes-Benz A-Class A150 W169 - Mercedes Timing chain P0016 fault - martin blackett

Thanks for info John

Do you think maybe a bit thicker oil would help take up a bit of play, maybe clutching at straws but just a thought, it runs on 0/40 Mobil done at dealers from new.

As you say very poor for this to happen

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Thu 2 Aug 2018 19:56
Mercedes-Benz A-Class A150 W169 - Mercedes Timing chain P0016 fault - John F

Thanks for info John

Do you think maybe a bit thicker oil would help take up a bit of play, maybe clutching at straws but just a thought, it runs on 0/40 Mobil done at dealers from new.

I doubt it, but as the elongation is caused by multiple microscopic increased play in the worn chain links and rollers (it doesn't actually 'stretch') it might be worth a try. At that mileage I can't see that 10-40 would hurt.

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Thu 2 Aug 2018 20:03
Mercedes-Benz A-Class A150 W169 - Mercedes Timing chain P0016 fault - martin blackett

Many thanks for help

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