STARTUNED

®
March 2022
Volume 22 | Number 1

Information for the Independent Mercedes-Benz Service Professional

StarTuned.com

M276 Tour: Tips & Tricks

The features of the M276 six-cylinder engine,
with maintenance needs and procedures
M276 Tour

Introduced to the United States in several models in at lambda = 1 throughout the combustion chamber, while
the 2012 Model Year, the M276.9 6-cylinder naturally- DES has lambda around 1 only in the vicinity of the spark
aspirated engine was joined in Model Year 2015 by its plug. This lean-burn system reduces fuel consumption, with
dual-turbocharged brother M276.8. While our focus will the disadvantage of increased NOx in the exhaust.
be on the naturally-aspirated version, the turbo version is
essentially the same engine and much of this information The Direct Injection (DI) system uses Piezoelectric fuel
applies to both. Probably the most popular engine of all, injectors for extremely fast and precise fuel delivery. The
there are millions of these engines on the road worldwide, system is now a non-return high-pressure supply with two
many of them needing to visit your shop for maintenance separate fuel rails. A high-pressure fuel pump delivers up
and service. to 200 Bar (nearly 3,000 psi) and is driven mechanically by
three cams on the rear end of the right intake camshaft.
Overview The intake manifold has a switchover function to optimize
The M276 is a gasoline direct-injection (DI) engine and, the airflow into the engine. The cooling and oil circuits are
as mentioned, is offered in both naturally-aspirated and carefully regulated and controlled for better efficiency.
turbocharged versions. Further improvements in CO₂
emissions and engine noise, as well as modest increases The crankcase and oil pans are made of die-cast aluminum
in power and torque, were the goals for the design with an open-deck crankcase and cast iron cylinder liners,
of this M272 replacement. Developed as part of the with high-strength aluminum alloy cylinder heads. Two
M270/274/276/278 family, many of the major systems overhead camshafts, each with solenoid adjusters and driven
of these engines are clearly similar to each other. Intake by separate timing chains for each bank, actuate a total of
air and engine thermal management are especially new four valves for each cylinder. An intermediate gear drives
systems and the ECO Start/Stop function is standard these two timing chains, with the oil pump driven by its own
equipment. Changing the angle of the crankcase V from chain from the crankshaft, for a total of four chains.
90° to 60° allowed for the elimination of the balance shaft.
Thermal Management
In the United States, the M276 is a 3.5 liter engine with Although the thermal management system is an important
Homogeneous (DEH) combustion, while in most other part of M276 operations, it has reduced relevance for
markets the Stratified (DES) combustion version was maintenance and service. Suffice it to say that the ME-SFI
delivered. DEH operation means that the fuel-air mixture is control unit manages engine warm-up and heat, primarily as
fuel economy, emissions and efficiency
measures, and has ways to help reduce
thermal load in an overheating situation,
including control of the engine suction fan
via PWM. Just a safety note concerning
that fan: It can run up to 5 minutes after
engine shutdown, so use caution under
the hood during that time.

Variable Oil Pump

In contrast to the M272/M273 engines,
the M276 (and M278) use a variable-flow
oil pump, allowing oil flow to be regulated
via a hydraulic control circuit. There is a
high and a low pressure setting; at the
low pressure setting, the piston cooling
nozzles are deactivated through a special
valve that requires a higher pressure to
open. In addition to assisting with thermal
The M276 belt drive arrangement. All of these items are easily recognized except for the belt management, the system allows a CO₂
tensioner (2) and guide pulleys (1). savings of around 2%.

Mercedes-Benz StarTuned March 2022 2

M276 Tour

Engine Ventilation
In the naturally-aspirated M276.9 (DEH), a crankcase
vent line with restrictor and check valve is integrated
between the air filter and left cylinder head. Only a single
oil separator is used, the centrifuge located at the rear of
the right cylinder head as with M272. Engine ventilation
occurs via a vent line to the intake manifold, through a
pressure-regulating valve.

The coolant pump and In the turbocharged M276.8 (DEH LA) there are two oil
thermostat. Heater separators, an extremely fine separator located at the
cartridge R48 allows
inner engine V, and again a single centrifuge at the right
the engine management
system to control rear. Two lines transport blowby gases to the extremely
the opening of the fine separator, and from there the gases are led to
thermostat electrically. either the charge air distributor downstream of the
throttle valve or to the induction point upstream of the
right turbocharger.

Chain Drive and Camshaft Adjustment

As mentioned previously, this engine uses a total of
four chains in the engine timing and oil pump drive
system. The goal here was to improve engine noise and
endurance while reducing friction. A short chain goes
from the crankshaft to the intermediate gear at a ratio
of 1:1.33. The two camshaft chains are then driven by

Crankcase ventilation in the M276.8. Drawn by the centrifuge (3),

blowby gases are fed to the extremely fine separator (4) through
two lines (1: partial load, 2: full load).

The front chain drive consists of four chains: Two camshaft chains (1, 2) driven
via an intermediate gear (7), which is driven by a short intermediate chain (8) The intake camshaft vane adjuster, which is nearly identical to
from the crankshaft (15). Each chain has its own tensioner (11, 12, 13). The the system used in many other Mercedes-Benz engines. The
fourth chain (14) drives the oil pump. While this image shows the M278, the spring (1/3) resets the adjuster if the solenoid (e.g., Y49/4) is
M276 is very similar. no longer actuated.

Mercedes-Benz StarTuned March 2022 3

M276 Tour

this intermediate gear at a ratio of 1:1.5. All three chains critical that instructions in the Mercedes-Benz Workshop
are tensioned by hydraulic chain tensioners. As with earlier Information System (WIS) for reinstallation are followed
engines, another short chain from the crankshaft is used to closely, particularly concerning the use of the special tools
drive the oil pump. (such as W278 589 00 33 00) for this job, to ensure a leak-
free installation. All seals and the hold-down spring must
Since the camshaft adjustment system is very similar to always be replaced. Never use a slide hammer, since the rail
other engines, we won’t discuss it further. WIS has a GF is soldered, and both the rail and injector will be damaged.
document describing the function in detail
During operation, the injectors operate at voltages
Engine Air Supply between 125 volts and 160 volts and a current of up to
To help engine efficiency, an air intake path needs to have 8 amperes, which can be lethal if contacted by the body.
a low resistance to air flow, yet maintain favorable flow Never expose yourself to these voltages by, for example,
conditions under all possible circumstances. Intake air attempting to measure them directly as opposed to
is passed through a relatively large air filter to minimize using a contact-free current clamp. If the ignition must
flow resistance and is delivered to the intake
manifold. There, depending on operating
condition, the length of the intake ducts is varied
so the engine torque curve can be optimized.
Two resonance flaps, a central resonance
chamber and a selector drum accomplish the
varying duct lengths. Of course, the entire
system is controlled by the ME control unit.

As a side note, in the M276.9 turbocharged

engine, the intake manifold system is different.
Rather than having a variable intake duct
system, it is more conventional with a fixed
system of intake ducts and, of course, a pair
of turbochargers.

Fuel Injection
The Piezoelectric fuel injectors allow for very
precise fuel delivery, again to help manage fuel
economy and emissions. The fuel feed line to
each injector is sealed at the high-pressure
end by an O-ring, while the seal between the The intake system for the turbocharged M276. Intake air (A) is filtered and fed to the dual
turbochargers (3, 4). Hot charge air (B) is cooled at the charge air cooler (5) and fed past
fuel injector and cylinder head is a Teflon ring. the throttle valve actuator (M16/6) into the engine. Several sensors monitor pressures to
Any time an injector is removed, it is absolutely ensure efficient operation.

The engine intake air flow at low (left), mid (center) and high RPMs. At low RPMs (<3200 RPM, <50% load) both the resonance flaps and selector drum are
closed. At engine speeds between 3200 and 4250 RPM and over 50% load, the flaps open while the drum remains closed. Above 4250 RPM and 50% load,
both the flaps and drum are open.

Mercedes-Benz StarTuned March 2022 4

M276 Tour

in a multi-spark cycle the ignition coil

The piezoelectric fuel injectors are very
energy is not fully discharged, but is
fast and reliable, but as fragile as glass.
recharged in the interim so it can again
provide enough energy for additional
sparks. These multiple sparks allow
for a slower yet more complete
combustion, increasing fuel efficiency
while reducing emissions and engine
noise, particularly after a cold start and
during the warm-up phase.

Each spark plug has its own coil. The

spark plugs are connected to the coil
by a short boot. The ME controls each
be switched on, do not touch any part of the system or coil through individual direct connections. The ignition coils
testing instruments/probes while energized. Accidentally also deliver diagnosis information back to the ME through
shorting either injector control wire to ground will damage the same wire.
the ME, and accidentally reversing the polarity of the wires
will damage the injector. There is a 220 kΩ discharge Maintenance
resistor in parallel with each injector, and this value can be Vehicles equipped with the M276 engine are equipped with
measured at the fuel injector electrical connections. the Mercedes-Benz ASSYST PLUS system. As always, check
the owner’s maintenance booklet or the maintenance sheet
The injectors themselves are fragile, as the piezoelectric in WIS or STAR TekInfo for the most accurate information,
elements are similar to thin glass. Never apply a voltage to a but in general these engines need an oil and filter change
piezo injector, as it will be damaged. Dropping an injector or every 10,000 miles (or one year), using the well-known A
subjecting one to any kind of shock (such as a hammer blow) and B service rotation. The engine oil dipstick is used to
will destroy it, requiring replacement. Any contamination of check the oil level.
either end of the fuel injector will also damage it, so always
As with virtually every vehicle, the maintenance
use clean protective caps at every removal.
sheet also calls for engine air filter replacement
Lastly, the high-pressure side of
the fuel system (which includes
the injectors) can remain at over
200 Bar (3,000 psi) for a very
long time after the engine is
switched off. Use extreme care in
depressurizing the system prior
to repair work to avoid having
fuel penetrate your skin under
pressure, which can be fatal.

Ignition
In a conventional engine, the
ignition system generates a
single pulse for the spark plug to
ignite the combustion mixture.
The M27x family of engines
operates in both single-spark
and multi-spark modes. Initially Multi-spark ignition system. The voltage (V) supplied to the coil allows for multiple sparks (B) after the initial
the same as a single-spark cycle, spark (A). i1 is the primary charging current; i2 is the secondary charging current.

Mercedes-Benz StarTuned March 2022 5

M276 Tour

February 2022 split of Daimler AG into Daimler Truck AG

and Mercedes-Benz Group AG, the MB BeVo website,
which previously provided these details, has been replaced
by the Mercedes-Benz Operating Fluids website, found at
operatingfluids.mercedes-benz.com.

When checking ignition angles, the only possibility is to use

XENTRY Diagnostics or possibly some factory-compatible
aftermarket diagnostic readers. The ignition angle cannot
be measured with conventional tools and equipment.
The M276 uses pressed-on tone wheels for the camshaft
adjuster system, and if you get a customer complaint of
hard starting, rough running and poor performance, check
the tone wheels for looseness.

Use only genuine Mercedes-Benz spark plugs.

Aftermarket plugs are not always indexed, meaning
the electrode gap needs to be facing a specific
direction. Install incorrectly indexed plugs and the
M276 will, as with the other Direct Injection engines
from Mercedes-Benz, suffer from melted or cracked
pistons from incorrect combustion patterns. If you
haven’t read the article on spark plugs in the March
2021 issue of StarTuned, now is the time to go look
at it. Also note that special tool W278 589 00 09 00
The new operating fluids website replaces MB BeVo. is strongly recommended for removing the 14 mm
12-point-hex spark plugs.

(every 50,000 miles or 5 years) and fuel filter and coolant Connected in parallel with the ME’s piezo actuator
replacement at 120,000 miles (or 12 years). Check the module is a 200 Ohm discharge resistor. This value can
maintenance sheet for a complete rundown of all the be measured on the injector plug after disconnecting it
required maintenance points. from the injector. Be absolutely certain the ignition is off
and the key is in your pocket, since this connector carries
Service Notes dangerous voltages when the ignition is on.
Aside from those already mentioned, a few service tips
might help save some time. It probably goes without saying, but we’ll say it anyway: All
work around the fuel system must be surgically clean, since
As always, use only Mercedes-Benz approved oils that are
even the slightest speck of dust can ruin the system. When
of the correct viscosity for expected local conditions and
working on the injectors and fuel rail, the stainless steel lines
approval type for the engine. M276 uses MB-Approval
can be reused as long as they pass the test as specified in
229.5 oils. The M276 engine generally requires only
WIS (AR07.03-P-1010-03MM), which measures the length
6.5 liters of oil when the filter is changed, somewhat less
of the connection point. This is one place where using an
than many other engines. Some variants,
particularly the AMGs, do use the usual
8+ liters, so be sure to check.

Note that there is an official resource

on the web to provide the details of
approved oils and other operating
fluids, so you can find the correct brand If you don’t have one already, you’ll have a much easier time with spark plug replacement using this
and product for your needs. Since the Mercedes-Benz special tool. Ask your dealer about tool W278 589 00 09 00.

Mercedes-Benz StarTuned March 2022 6

M276 Tour

accurate torque wrench will save you considerable problems. loaning you the tools needed, but be aware that without
We’ve been able to reuse the high pressure fuel lines several these tools you’re just looking for trouble.
times by being careful with the torque, and seen lines
rendered useless after a single tightening. At over 200 Bar, Lastly, we have seen a couple of these engines with a
you don’t want a leak, so if you’re not sure, replace it. misfire condition and oil-fouled spark plugs. The engine
breather system can allow oil ingestion into the intake
If you hear a complaint of poor performance, especially at manifold, and, in severe cases, can cause fouling. Just
high engine load or speed, check the fuel pressure after replacing or cleaning the plugs isn’t enough: Check the
the high-pressure fuel pump, specifically at high volume breather system to find where oil is getting in to prevent a
delivery. Poor maintenance or inferior oil quality have been rapid comeback for the same issue.
known to affect engine internal lubrication, and the special
lobes on the camshaft that drives the high-pressure fuel We hope you found this article about the M276 engine
pump may have worn, decreasing pump volume capacity. informative and practical. We covered some of the newer
systems and functions, and offered some of the more
Before you commit to any sort of internal engine work, common service tips we’ve come across in our work. As
be sure to carefully reference the relevant WIS work always, Mercedes-Benz USA recognizes your value to the
instructions. The M276 family of engines use quite a brand and our mutual customers, and provides considerable
few more special tools for many internal operations, and information that is available to both dealers and workshops
some of these tools can get expensive. Your dealer might like yours to advance the goal of satisfied customers. Be
be helpful in either exploring what’s involved or perhaps sure to take advantage of that! |

STARTUNED
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StarTuned® is a publication of Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC MBUSA Technical Content Advisor

(“MBUSA”). No part of this magazine may be reproduced Vincent Allen
without the express written permission of MBUSA. vincent.allen@mbusa.com
Collision Content Advisor
Benito Cid
benito.cid@mbusa.com
Suggestions, questions or comments? Contact: MBUSA Project Team
Tamra Ayers Banz Brian Dowd Jessica S. Hari
E. tbanz@automotivedatamedia.com brian.dowd@mbusa.com jessica.hari@daimler.com
Publisher
Tamra Ayers Banz
tbanz@automotivedatamedia.com
Visit us at our website MBWholesaleParts.com to view a
wealth of information on Genuine Mercedes-Benz Parts. Editorial Director
Donald Rotolo
Visit StarTuned.com to access an archive of StarTuned® drotolo@automotivedatamedia.com
issues, searchable by keyword or publish date. Technical Writers
Joel Alson, Dave Facciuto, Dick Mortiz,
CAUTION: Vehicle servicing performed by untrained persons could result in serious
Gary Smith, Wayne Riley, Frank Walker
injury to those persons or others. Information contained in this magazine is intended
for use by trained, professional auto repair technicians ONLY. This information is Art Director
provided to inform these technicians of conditions which may occur in some vehicles Christopher M. Ayers III
or to provide information which could assist them in proper servicing of these vehicles. ayersc3@automotivedatamedia.com
Properly trained technicians have the equipment, tools, safety instructions, and know-
how to perform repairs correctly and safely. If a condition is described, DO NOT Group Publisher
assume that a topic covered in these pages automatically applies to your vehicle or Christopher M. Ayers, Jr.
that your vehicle has that condition. StarTuned® is a registered trademark of MBUSA.
cayers@automotivedatamedia.com

Mercedes-Benz StarTuned March 2022 7

Article HeAder
M276 Tour

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