Description

Daimlerchrysler 212 2013 Service Manual

I’ve seen three failed timing chain jobs this year alone because somebody used a Chilton’s spec or guessed the crank angle. That’s a bent valve party you don’t want to host. This is the Daimlerchrysler 212 2013 Service Manual – not a reprint, not a summary, not some third-party PDF stitched together from forum posts. 38 pages of the actual factory procedure released by Daimler AG for the 212 chassis with engines 272 and 273. If you’re touching the timing chain on a 2013 E‑Class (212), you need the exact 55° before TDC and 95° crank angle steps on page 2. Nothing else gets you there.

Timing Chain Replacement: What the Factory Procedure Demands

Page 1 starts with AR05.10‑P‑7601EW – Replace timing chain. The OCR excerpt shows the exact steps: disconnect battery, pull spark plugs, remove both camshafts on the right head, then draw in the new chain and rivet it. Every part number is listed: 602589009800, 602589023300, and so on. You don’t guess fasteners. You match them. The procedure then calls for cranking the engine to a 55° crank angle before ignition TDC on cylinder 1, then a 95° crank angle to 40° after TDC. Miss those angles by 5° and the Hall sensor bores won’t align. The manual gives you the numbers – use them.

Two Engine Variants: 272 and 273

This manual specifically covers engines 272 and 273 in model 212. If you’re working on a 2013 Mercedes with the 3.5L or 5.5L, this is your document. The timing chain procedure is identical for both, but the part numbers for adjusters and pulse wheels differ – the manual breaks those out. Don’t assume one fits both. Check the suffix on 602589056301 vs 602589056300. Page 1 has the full list.

OEM Part Numbers: Don’t Substitue

Seven different part numbers appear in the timing chain section alone. Bolts, guides, adjusters – each has a unique factory number. I’ve seen aftermarket “timing chain kits” that skip half these fasteners. Then you get a rattle at 10,000 miles. The manual also includes the special tools needed: *602589009800 appears multiple times. If your shop doesn’t have that tool, you’re not doing the job right. This isn’t a suggestion; it’s a requirement.

Safety Protocol: Crankshaft Angles and Battery Disconnect

The manual starts with “Risk of accident – secure vehicle to prevent it from moving off by itself when engine is running.” Then it tells you to disconnect the battery ground cable. Stupid simple. But I still see guys skip it. The crankshaft timing steps on page 2 include a 55° crank angle before ignition TDC and a 305° marking on the belt pulley. If you don’t lock the engine at the right angle, the pulse wheel markings won’t center in the Hall sensor bores. Then you get a check engine light and a wasted afternoon. Follow the safety warnings exactly as written.

Aftermarket Manuals vs. Factory: Why This One Wins

I’ve compared this to three popular aftermarket guides. They all got the camshaft adjuster markings wrong – one even reversed intake and exhaust positions. The Daimlerchrysler manual is printed from the same source that the dealership techs use. The copyright © Daimler AG, 07.04.13, G/07/14 is on every page. No guesswork. No “suggested” torque values. If you want to do a timing chain on a 212 without a second visit, this is the only manual you should open. For other factory manuals from the same era, check out Daimlerchrysler Durango Service Manual – 2000 Durango Factory Specs, Daimlerchrysler Ram Pickup Service Manual – OEM Factory Specs, and 2007 Daimlerchrysler Nitro Service Manual – Factory Brake Specs. For broader automotive industry context, see Automotive Industry Overview and Automotive Industry Overview.

Does this manual cover the entire 212 chassis or only the engine?

It focuses on the timing chain and related engine systems for engines 272/273 in model 212. It doesn’t cover the transmission or body electrical. 38 pages, all engine-specific.

What is the exact page count and publication year?

38 pages, published in 2013 by Daimler AG.

Can I use this for a 2013 Mercedes E-Class with the M276 engine?

No. This manual is for engines 272 (3.5L) and 273 (5.5L) only. The M276 is a different architecture. You need the corresponding manual for that engine family.

Are torque specs included for the camshaft adjuster bolts?

Yes. Page 1 references AR05.20‑P‑6992EW which includes torque specs for camshaft installation. The manual also gives the crankshaft angle positions needed before torquing. You get the full factory procedure, not a summary.

This is the only source for the exact cranking angles and part numbers that Daimlerchrysler designed for the 212. Don’t trust a copy from a forum or a generic repair site. Access the Factory Manual now and keep it on your tablet next to your torque wrench. One job done right with this manual will pay for itself ten times over in saved labor and peace of mind.