Rudeney

WDBTJ56H69F265292 = M272 #31-083462 = Good
WDBUF56X28B210681 = M272 #30-704827 = Good
WDBRF52H57A935202 = M272 #30-447672 = In the affected range!

Nikolai822

For the fast response.

Rudeney

You're welcome!

bumpersignal

Can you please check mine 2005 CLK320# WDBTK65JX5F146842 and 2006 R350# 4JGCB65E06A032962

Rudeney

No worries on the CLK320 - that has an M112 engine and it has no "balance shaft" issues. The R250 has M272 engine #371650 which is in the range for balance shaft issues.

Patton001

Is the degradation of the gear something that is ongoing and would be evident in an oil sample analysis?

Rudeney

It is ongoing, but you probably won't be able to tell if it is a problem with oil analysis. The amount of metal it loses is very small, and would look like normal wear. Also, the gear doesn't always shed metal; instead it may stretch. The symptoms are most definitely DTCs 1200 and 1208 (OBDII codes P0017 and P0016). If you could remove the front timing gear cover, you could examine the gear, but by then, you are 80% through the labor of replacing it (i.e. you pretty much have to pull the engine to get the timing cover off).

M Nilsson

Hi
It would be very helpful if you can check 2009 CLC350 VIN: WDB2037561E066796

bumpersignal

Thanks for the help identifying!

Rudeney

WDB2037561E066796 has M272 engine #31-141517. As I would suspect for a My2009 vehicle, this is well beyond the range for balance shaft issues.

vinsuz

Hi Rodney,
I have an '07 CLK550 (WDBTK72FX7T075619). How am I lookin'?

Thanks in Advance,
vin

EDIT: Just read your post from last week and decoded my VIN (engine #30 056389); looks like I'm in the range, right? Are there any symptoms for either the timing gear or cam magnets issues? Or is it just that they work until they stop working? Thanks again.

Rudeney

Yep, you are in the range. The initial symptoms of timing gear failure will be an MIL with DTCs 1200 and/or 1208 (OBDII codes P0017/P0016). The camshaft sensor magnet failures will result in other codes, and I wouldn't worry about those. If they occur, they can be fixed for cheap and easy DIY.

On the timing gear (a.k.a balance shaft on the V6) failure, I'd go ahead and get the ECU codes pulled. You can have a stored P0016/P0017 that was "intermittent" even though it never illuminated the MIL. My car had this situation - I checked before I bought it)and then negotiated the deal to account for the repair. I drove it for almost 6K miles before I actually got an MIL, then it was another 2K before the MIL stayed on continuously. Of course if left like this (constant errors) for too long, the gear will totally disintegrate and you'll have massive engine failure due to valves slamming into pistons. At best, that's a head and piston job, at worst, a new engine.

Just get the codes pulled periodically to see if you have the problem - it may never happen, but the earlier you catch it (i.e. lower miles) the better chance you may have the MBUSA covering under goodwill.

IconReza

Hi Rodney

WDBWK56F36F130713

How is this one please?
Thank you so much.

Rudeney

WDBWK56F36F130713 has engine M272 #377561, which is within the range for potential balance shaft problems. Keep an eye on any ECU codes. CTDs 1200/1208 (P0017/P0016) are the symptoms (and they are only symptoms for balance shaft shaft problems).

IconReza

Thanks so much Rodney,
How about SLK 280 (2007)? I didn't see the in the list of the lawsuit, could they be affected too or are they safe to buy? Thank you for your time

vinsuz

Thank you so much for the information Rodney! That little tidbit above is something I hadn't read before! So will a cheap code reader see those or do I have to have the stealership use the Star diagnostic computer?

Rudeney

P0016 and P0017 are standard OBDII ECU codes, so any cheap scanner will work.

Rudeney

Forget what the lawsuit listed - it was not correct in the models it included. Basically, any MBZ with an M272 or M273 engine could be affected if it falls within the serial number range. That includes the SLK280. The M272 V6 engine was available as a 2.5l (C230), 3.0 liter (C280, C300, SLK280, etc.) and 3.5l (C350, CLK350, E350, etc.) The M273 V8 engine was available as a 4.7l (GL450) and 5.5.l (CLK550, E500, SL550, etc.)

The TSB notes a few exclusion: the 164.156 (ML350 RWD, non-4MATIC), the W204 and the 216.386 (CL550 4MATIC). I believe these are excluded only because these models did not go into production until after the problem was identified and corrected.

IconReza

Thank you so much for the tips Rodney.
Would you be kind to check this one for me:

WDBWK54F16F091252

Thanks.

Rudeney

WDBWK54F16F091252 is an SLK280 with M272 engine #135490 - that is in the range for potential balance shaft failure.

IconReza

Thanks again Rodney. It seams I can't get a break, but it's really a pleasure to have you here. Just test drove another one. Here is the VIN:

WDBWK54F97F160044

Greatly appreciated.

Rudeney

Ah! That's a good one! WDBWK54F97F160044 has M272 engine #588542, which is beyond the range for balance shaft issues. It could still have problem with the cam sensor magnets, but that's an easy (even DIY) and cheap repair if it occurs.

Personally, I think "the market" (i.e. dealer, wholesalers and some buyers) has a vague idea of "some major problems" with MY2005-MY2007 MBZs, so cars in that range are priced lower. They don't know what the problem is, or how tell on an individual vehicle. They just "devalue" these because of the rumors. So, if you find a MY2007 with a good engine, you might get a better deal than stepping up to a MY2008.

IconReza

thank you for the info Rodney, much appreciated. can you be kind as to check this one also?

WDBWK54F78F176891

it looks much cleaner than the other SLK. thank you so much.

IconReza

Hi again Rodney, I hope you are not tiered of me yet. Would you please also check this one for me?

WDBWK56F77F170374

Much appreciated

Rudeney

WDBWK54F78F176891 (SLK280) has M272 engine #702192 - it's good.

WDBWK56F77F170374 (SLK350) has M272 engine #642122 - it's also good (and with the more powerful version of engine - it's a blast to drive!)