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Mercedes-Benz E-Class: OM651 diesel timing chain stretch (W212)

OM651 diesel timing chain stretch (W212) is a common engine fault on the Mercedes-Benz E-Class on the 2009–2016 cars, and we rate it major. Putting it right costs $2,500 to $5,000 at New Zealand independent workshop rates. Below is what goes wrong, the symptoms to notice on a test drive, where to look, and what to ask the seller before you hand over any money. It is one of 23 documented faults on the Mercedes-Benz E-Class.

Vehicle
Mercedes-Benz E-Class
Engine
2.1L
Years
2009–2016
Fuel
diesel
System
Engine

This page covers the Mercedes-Benz E-Class as a model. Some faults only affect particular engines or build years — enter a plate below to narrow the list to one car.

All Mercedes-Benz E-Class faults23 documented faults on this model

What you are looking at

The front of a dual overhead camshaft engine with the timing cover removed, exposing the timing chain and sprockets.Example of the part — not this vehicle

The front of a twin-cam engine with the timing cover off — chain, sprockets and guides.

Logansenf · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons

What goes wrong

The 2.1 OM651 diesel (E200/E220/E250 CDI) can stretch its timing chain and wear the guides from around 120,000 km. The chain also drives the high-pressure fuel pump, so a stretched chain throws camshaft/crankshaft correlation codes and, in the worst case, can jump a tooth and cause major damage. Early engines had tensioner issues acknowledged by Mercedes. Listen for a rattle on cold start and after an oil change.

What you would notice

  • Rattle on cold start or briefly after an oil change
  • Rough running or misfire
  • Camshaft/crankshaft correlation fault codes
  • Loss of power / limp mode

How to check it

Where to look. Timing chain at the rear (transmission) side of the engine

Insist on a genuine cold start and listen at the front of the engine for a chain rattle. Ask whether the chain has been replaced and at what kilometres. Have any correlation codes scanned before purchase on a high-km car.

Parts involved: Timing chain.

What it costs to put right

$2,500 to $5,000 at New Zealand independent workshop rates. That is for this job on its own, not for the car.

An estimate, in NZD, for the repair as normally carried out. What a specific car costs depends on which part has failed and what it damaged on the way — treat this as the floor for a negotiation, not a quote.

Ask the seller

  • “Has the timing chain been replaced, and at what kilometres?”
  • “Any rattle on the first cold start of the day?”

Now check the Mercedes-Benz E-Class you are actually looking at

Everything above is true of the model, and it is free. What it does not tell you is whether THIS car has been looked after: its odometer history and whether the reading has ever gone backwards, whether there is still money owing on it, whether it has been reported stolen, how many owners it has had and what it is really worth today. That comes from the official records for that plate. Enter the plate for the free details, or get the full history and a market valuation from $13.49.

Not sure what you would be paying for? See what a full KickTyres check includes.

Where this comes from

The failure described above is documented in the sources below. The inspection instructions and the cost estimate are KickTyres’ own interpretation of them.

  • en.mercedesassistance.com OM651 engine workshop guide
  • speedme.ru Mercedes OM651 diesel common problems

Mercedes-Benz E-Class buyer questions

Is om651 diesel timing chain stretch (w212) serious on a Mercedes-Benz E-Class?

We rate it major and common on the Mercedes-Benz E-Class. The 2.1 OM651 diesel (E200/E220/E250 CDI) can stretch its timing chain and wear the guides from around 120,000 km. The chain also drives the high-pressure fuel pump, so a stretched chain throws camshaft/crankshaft correlation codes and, in the worst case, can jump a tooth and cause major damage. Early engines had tensioner issues acknowledged by Mercedes. Listen for a rattle on cold start and after an oil change.

How much does it cost to fix on a Mercedes-Benz E-Class?

$2,500 to $5,000 at New Zealand independent workshop rates. That figure is for this job on its own. A car showing the symptoms on this page is usually worth either walking away from or negotiating down by at least the repair figure.

Which Mercedes-Benz E-Class years are affected?

Our research records this fault on the 2009–2016 Mercedes-Benz E-Class. Build dates move around, especially on imported cars, so treat the range as the years to look hardest at rather than a guarantee either way. The official records tell you the exact build and first registration date for the car in front of you.

How do I check for it before I buy?

Insist on a genuine cold start and listen at the front of the engine for a chain rattle. Ask whether the chain has been replaced and at what kilometres. Have any correlation codes scanned before purchase on a high-km car. Look here: Timing chain at the rear (transmission) side of the engine