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Why does my M271 engine rattle on a cold start?

W204W203W211W212W207 (C207)R171R172M271 KompressorM271 CGI

Short answer

An M271 engine (C180 / C200 Kompressor or CGI) that rattles for a few seconds after a cold start usually has worn camshaft adjusters (cam gears), a stretched timing chain or a weak chain tensioner. It is a warning, not a nuisance: if the chain jumps a tooth or breaks, the engine can be badly damaged, so have a workshop check it early.
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Checked by the M&B Parts team, 5 October 2026.

Symptoms

  • A rattle or chatter for a few seconds after a cold start, which goes quiet once oil pressure builds.
  • A check-engine light, often with camshaft/crankshaft correlation codes P0016 (crankshaft vs intake camshaft) or P0017 (crankshaft vs exhaust camshaft).
  • Rough idle or hesitation, especially when cold.
  • Oil in the camshaft adjuster magnet plugs or along their wiring (a known M271 Kompressor problem).

Likely causes

1. Camshaft adjusters (cam gears) and cam bolts. Worn locking pins inside the adjusters are a common cause of the start-up rattle, and worn adjusters set timing faults. Kompressor and CGI engines use different adjusters and bolts.

2. Timing chain stretch. Over time the chain lengthens and the cam timing drifts, which sets the correlation codes. A workshop confirms it by reading the cam/crank correlation values with a diagnostic tool and inspecting the chain and guides.

3. Chain tensioner. A weak tensioner lets the chain slap at start-up, before oil pressure builds. It is normally replaced with the chain.

4. Chain guides. Worn or broken guide rails let the chain move and can leave pieces in the sump.

5. Camshaft adjuster magnets leaking oil. Not a timing fault in itself, but a common M271 Kompressor problem. Oil seeps through the magnet's connector and can travel along the wiring towards the engine control unit. The fix is to replace the leaking magnet and fit a stop-oil adapter harness, which stops oil travelling further.

Safety first

  • Have a qualified workshop diagnose the fault before you buy parts. Several faults look alike, and a list of symptoms is not a diagnosis.
  • This page is information only. Have safety-related parts fitted by a qualified workshop.
  • A rattle can also come from other parts of the engine, and the fault codes need reading properly.
  • Timing chain work needs special locking tools and correct timing. It is a workshop job, not a driveway job.
  • If the rattle gets louder, lasts longer or the engine runs badly, stop driving and have it checked. A failed chain can cause serious engine damage.

Parts we stock for this problem

M271 Kompressor (C180 / C200 Kompressor)

Kit contents: chain, guides, tensioner and gasket.

Timing Chain Kit - Kompressor - M271 4- Cyl Petrol In stock
Timing Chain Kit - Kompressor - M271 4- Cyl Petrol R 2,499.00
Chain Tensioner - Kompressor - M271 180/200 Kom 4-Cyl Petrol In stock
Chain Tensioner - Kompressor - M271 180/200 Kom 4-Cyl Petrol R 899.00
Timing Chain Guides - Mercedes Benz - Kompressor - M271 - 180/200 Kom 4- Cyl Petrol - C-Class W203 01-08, C-Class W204 07-14, E-Class W211 02-09, SLK W171 04-11 In stock
Timing Chain Guides - Mercedes Benz - Kompressor - M271 - 180/200 Kom 4- Cyl Petrol - C-Class W203 01-08, C-Class W204 07-14, E-Class W211 02-09, SLK W171 04-11 R 950.00
Cam Gears - Camshaft Adjuster Set - Kompressor - M271 180/200KOM 4-Cyl Petrol In stock
Cam Gears - Camshaft Adjuster Set - Kompressor - M271 180/200KOM 4-Cyl Petrol R 4,999.00
Cam Gears - Camshaft Adjuster - Kompressor - M271 180/200KOM 4-Cyl Petrol - Exhaust In stock
Cam Gears - Camshaft Adjuster - Kompressor - M271 180/200KOM 4-Cyl Petrol - Exhaust R 3,250.00
Cam Bolt - Camshaft Bolt - Kompressor - M271 180/200Kom 4-Cyl Petrol In stock
Cam Bolt - Camshaft Bolt - Kompressor - M271 180/200Kom 4-Cyl Petrol R 999.00
Camshaft Adjuster Magnet Harness - STOP-OIL for M271 KOMPRESSOR SET 03-09 In stock
Camshaft Adjuster Magnet Harness - STOP-OIL for M271 KOMPRESSOR SET 03-09 R 599.00

M271 CGI (C180 / C200 / C250 CGI)

Kit contents: chain, guides, tensioner and gasket.

Timing Chain Kit - M271 180/200 /250 CGI 4- Cyl Petrol 10-15 In stock
Timing Chain Kit - M271 180/200 /250 CGI 4- Cyl Petrol 10-15 R 2,999.00
Chain Tensioner -M271 180/200 /250 CGI 4 - Cyl Petrol In stock
Chain Tensioner -M271 180/200 /250 CGI 4 - Cyl Petrol R 899.00
Cam Gears - Cam Shaft Adjuster - CGI - M271 180/200 /250 CGI 4-Cyl Petrol - Intake In stock
Cam Gears - Cam Shaft Adjuster - CGI - M271 180/200 /250 CGI 4-Cyl Petrol - Intake R 3,375.00
Cam Bolt - Camshaft Bolt - Gear Bolt - CGI - M271 180/200 /250 CGI 4-Cyl Petrol In stock
Cam Bolt - Camshaft Bolt - Gear Bolt - CGI - M271 180/200 /250 CGI 4-Cyl Petrol R 999.00

New aftermarket parts, OEM-quality. Prices include 15% VAT.

Which part fits my car?

ModelEngineYearsPart
C-Class W203 C180 / C200 Kompressor M271 Kompressor 2002–2007 Kompressor kit Timing Chain Kit - Kompressor - M271 ...
C-Class W204 C180 / C200 Kompressor M271 Kompressor 2007 to about 2010 Kompressor kit Timing Chain Kit - Kompressor - M271 ...
E-Class W211 E200 Kompressor M271 Kompressor 2002–2009 Kompressor kit Timing Chain Kit - Kompressor - M271 ...
SLK R171 200 Kompressor M271 Kompressor 2004–2011 Kompressor kit Timing Chain Kit - Kompressor - M271 ...
C-Class W204 C180 / C200 / C250 CGI M271 CGI 2009–2014 CGI kit Timing Chain Kit - M271 180/200 /250 ...
E-Class W212 E200 / E250 CGI M271 CGI 2009 to about 2013 CGI kit Timing Chain Kit - M271 180/200 /250 ...
E-Coupe / Cabriolet W207 (C207 / A207) E200 / E250 CGI M271 CGI 2009 to about 2013 CGI kit Timing Chain Kit - M271 180/200 /250 ...
SLK R172 200 M271 CGI 2011 on (per our kit listing; confirm by VIN) CGI kit Timing Chain Kit - M271 180/200 /250 ...

Changeover dates differ by market; the VIN is the sure check.

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Questions

What does an M271 timing chain kit cost?
The live kit prices are on the cards above, one kit for the Kompressor and one for the CGI. Each kit has the chain, guides, tensioner and a gasket; camshaft adjusters are listed separately. Labour is quoted by your workshop; it is typically a full day's work.
Is a short rattle at start-up normal on an M271?
A rattle on every cold start is not normal. It usually means the cam adjusters, chain or tensioner are wearing. Have it checked before it gets worse.
Do I need to change the camshaft adjusters with the chain?
Workshops often recommend it, because worn adjusters cause the same rattle. It is the workshop's call after checking the timing values and inspecting the gears.
Kompressor and CGI parts: are they the same?
No. The kits, adjusters and cam bolts are different for the Kompressor and CGI versions of the M271. Choose by engine, or send us your VIN.
Are these Mercedes-Benz factory parts?
No. They are new aftermarket parts, OEM-quality, with the 6-month CPA warranty against defects. For fitted parts we need the RMI- or MIWA-accredited workshop's invoice. See our returns policy.
M&B Parts

M&B Parts sells new aftermarket parts, OEM-quality, with the 6-month CPA warranty against defects. For fitted parts we need the RMI- or MIWA-accredited workshop's invoice. See our returns policy.

15A Fountain Road, Eastleigh, Edenvale 1609 · WhatsApp 073 429 7245

Related problems

Sources we checked
  1. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mercedes-Benz_M271_engine
  2. paultan.org/2010/10/22/mercedes-benz-m271-cgi-engine-details-specs/
  3. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mercedes-Benz_C-Class_(W204)
  4. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mercedes-Benz_E-Class_(C207)
  5. www.carparts.com/blog/p0016-code-camshaft-position-a-camshaft-posit...
  6. mbworld.org/forums/c-class-w203/460273-leaking-camshaft-solenoid-ma...
  7. www.benzworld.org/threads/oil-in-engine-wiring-harness-how-to-fix-i...
  8. forums.mbclub.co.uk/threads/m271-engine-timing-chain-and-camshaft-s...
  9. www.slkworld.com/threads/preventive-maintanence-m271-engine-timing-...

Disclaimer: M&B Parts is an independent aftermarket parts supplier and is not affiliated, associated, authorised, endorsed by, or in any way officially connected with Mercedes-Benz South Africa (Pty) Ltd or Daimler AG / Mercedes-Benz Group AG (Germany). The Mercedes-Benz name, trademark, and all related marks, logos, and intellectual property are the registered property of their respective owners. All product references are made solely for compatibility identification purposes.

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