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P2004 / 0521 but no CEL or symptoms. Alternative?

9.5K views 14 replies 5 participants last post by  nugent  
#1 ·
Hey everyone,

I know this has been covered, but I'm a little confused about something. I just bought a 2009 E350 with 85,000 miles. Car had no CEL, and the pre-purchase inspection didn't yield any codes. I get the car, and I scan it with my iCarsoft, and I see P2004 / 0521 for the swirl flap issue. The thing is, I have no CEL, the car idles great, power is all there, and fuel economy is about average (not as if it's good on this car anyway).

My question is, is it possible that this could be caused by something else? I guess I'm just not sure how it can be current and stored and yet not trigger the CEL or show any symptoms. Any other issue that could trigger this?
Also, is there any way to determine if I could use one of those kits to upgrade the plastic piece to aluminum, rather than replace the whole manifold? I heard that you could do a visual inspection of seeing if the rocker arm would move on it's own before taking the manifold off. Regardless of anything, I obviously won't be having a dealer do this, and I absolutely do not have the time to tackle this myself now a days, especially after a move.

Which leads me to the next point. Anyone know any good mercedes mechanics in or around Little Rock, Arkansas?
 
#7 ·
I just checked for codes with my Torque app, quoting verbatim: P2004 - Powertrain: Intake manifold runner stuck open bank 1a), and P0522 - Powertrain: Engine oil pressure sensor/switch low voltage (If Mercedes/Chrysler, it could be P2006 Intake manifold tumble flap sensor/connection).

This is my wife's car, so I hardly ever drive it. But as far as I can tell, it performs normally and no CEL. Unfortunately, I have not been able to convince her to keep gas fill records to keep track of gas mileage. But once again, I don't have a reason the think it is badly affected. Visually, I cannot see any problems like disconnected wires or tubing. An ongoing mystery.
 
#8 ·
That is really strange. I just took a trip between Dallas and Little Rock, about 700 miles round trip, and I had no issues with anything. Performance and gas mileage were all normal. Still no CEL either.
Anyone else who has experienced this care to chime in?!
 
#10 ·
The video is of a diesel, whereas mine is the gas M272. However, there are some similarities. I guess mine failed in a position where there are minimal symptoms and a CEL is not triggered. The failure of the actuator arm is well-documented. The problem is that the intake manifold must be removed to make a fix, which is a big job (by my standards).
 
#12 ·
I’ve got exactly the same issue with my 2007 R350 with M272. I had the engine rebuilt 5000 miles ago to fix the Balance shaft and the garage also did the full repair kit on the swirl flaps, so I doubt this is the problem. I’ve got no CEL but when I scan I see the code. The only thing I’ve noticed is occasionally at low revs having a little low power. For example on a hill start, but nothing that would be overly concerning. I’ve cleared the codes and will see if it comes back.

Are there any other causes of this code? I wish there was more documentation available on mercedes. I’m used to Jaguars and having JTIS I can diagnose most things and then know whether to spend the money on a garage. With Mercedes I feel like I‘m always left guessing!
 
#13 ·
Swirl flap codes don't trigger a CEL. You'll very likely get the code back in no time.

And, there are no other causes of this code. If you want, you can live with it. The down side is low power and reduced fuel economy.
 
#14 ·
I have the same issue on a 2009 E350 Base. I have codes like P0016/0521 (on the INNOVA 5310 Mercedes OEM Enhanced OBDII Scanner). It indicates that the Charge Movement Flap (Cylinder Bank 1) has a malfunction. It also throws P0010 Intake camshaft position circuit open bank 1 - OEM enhanced code 1208 (The position of the intake camshaft is implausible relative to the position of the crankshaft (bank 1). I've taken it to shops and even paid for diagnostics. Not a single shop (4 of them) have given me a definitive answer and all 4 shops have different suggestions, but I can not get an answer as to whether it's a $1200 repair or $4500 repair. The car seems to have zero symptoms. I get decent mileage and seem to have power. I'm not absolutely positive if it has all the power but 2 mechanics mentioned that it has good power (one of them said it's not timing chain "stretch" because it has good power. one mechanic said it is timing chain "stretch" because it is so common in this vehicle). I have been driving this vehicle for at least 35,000 miles with the issue. I bought it at Manheim and didn't know about the post vehicle inspection option at the time, so got stuck with a car that I can not smog or sell. I've paid registration in California but can't even drive it legally because i can't smog it due to the check engine light. Other than that, it is fine. I've had the car for more than 2 years. I have been told to change the cam & crank shaft sensors. The M272 engine is not part of the balancer sprocket teeth having issues. My VIN is way after those issue. Does anyone have any suggestions? Side note - I sporadically get P0463 Fuel level sensor A circuit High Input. Does anyone know if this is the sending unit or level or something? FCP Euro has the whole kit for $400ish but can buy the right or left side for $200ish. trying to figure out which one this is related to. My gas gauge works "fine". I use "fine" because although the vehicle takes about 21 gallons (i think), the car goes from full to empty (zero miles) using 17.5 gallons only. so the other 3 gallons is below the zero miles indication. just fyi and wondering if this is normal.
 
#15 ·
Belated reply, but I just saw your post. The cam positioners are an easy DIY and not expensive. Maybe worth a try.

Regarding my earlier posts about the flaps, we broke down and had an indie replace the swirl flaps. We were told, correctly I think, that the flaps can break internally and pieces can be ingested into the cylinders or get stuck in the valves - not good. Everything great since then and no codes.