Wodeshed

Hi, Rodney-

Welp...after doing a ton of maintenance on my 05 CLK 320 (fuel filter, diff, valve gaskets/wires/plugs, trans flush TWICE (just to be sure), breather hoses, EGR, etc. etc.) I was rear ended yesterday. 17 year old kid in an F-150 who ran into me and pushed me into the car ahead, so it's very likely my car is totaled.

That means I'm car shopping now. I know the affected range on the 350 motors, but not on the 550s. I'm checking out a local 08 E550, which Mercedes EPC data card tells me is engine #273960 30 173849. I'm pretty sure from what I've read that the 08s are out of the range of problems, but can you confirm?

Rudeney

M272 engine #570044 - beyond the problem range.

Rudeney

The M273 "balance shaft" issue is through serial number 88611, so that one (173849) is well beyond it. And the model years are the same - all MY2006 M273s will be in the range, and half the My2007s. Oh, and technically, there's no balance shaft, just an idler sprocket, but the same problem and position on the timing chain as the V6.

rob877

Just bought a C230 Sport. Seemed like a great deal. Gulp. WDBRF52H37A947008. Am I in the range?

Rudeney

You have M272 engine #514600 - it's beyond the range for balance shaft failure.

benzoolie

WDBUF56J36A976532 Verdict? Thumbs up or down? :drum roll:

Rudeney

it's a MY2006 E350 - all MY2006s with the M272 V6 (xx280, xx300, xx350) or M273 V8 (xx450, xx550) will be "in the range" for potential balance shaft failure. only MY2007 needs to be checked as it was halfway through that year's build where the problem was discovered and resolved. MY2008+ is fine.

NewShockerGuy

Figured I'd ask on ours:

VIN: WDBTJ65J35F126628

Thanks much,
-Nigel

Rudeney

Your CLK320 has the M112 engine - it's fine. The balance shaft problems only affect the M272 V6 (xx230, xx280, xx300, xx350) and M272 V8 (xx450, xx550) engines built from MY2005 through halfway in MY2007.

Wolfjon

WDBRF92H57F873939 Can you guys tell me if my sisters car is in the range?

Plus I know it does not have the adapter plate for the bluetooth module in the center armrest but it does have wires going into it? she has a MHI Bluetooth module she bought when she got the car but the dealer quoted her so much it get it running she never bothered? I used to do radios in my vehicles so if is just a wiring issue I can fix that however if it all of the costly additional parts forget it.

Rudeney

Her car has M272 engine #477133, which is beyond the balance shaft problem range (it ended with #468993). It may still have camshaft solenoid (cam magnet) problems, but that's easy/cheap.

As for the cell phone interface, the few loose wires in the center console are about $1200 short of getting that MHI Bluetooth puck to work. My advice is to go aftermarket. Look at http://www.mcar.us I put this in my CLK and am happy with it.

minh-ho

Hi Rodney,
Could you please check for me whether my car is affected by the camshaft problem. My car is an E350 manufactured 08/2007.
VIN : WDB2110562B229725.
Thank you.
Minh

Rudeney

You have M272 engine #738781 - well beyond the balance shaft problem range (and as expected with that build date).

minh-ho

Thank you so much Rodney. You are so kind and great That's a huge weight relieved for me.
Cheers
Minh

sosoruff53

looking at slk 280.. is this vehicle susceptible to balance shaft issues. The VIN is WDBWK54F67F142827. Thank-you

minh-ho

Hi Rodney,
Could you please help me with my old ML 320 built in April/2001. VIN:1631542A272716.
I noticed the SRS light has been lighted in the last few months.
The car is otherwise running well with no issue noted.
Could you please tell me what's wrong? and is it easy to fix. How to fix it? and roughly how much does it cost ?
Thank you .
Minh

Rudeney

That one has M272 engine #439628 - it's in the range for potential failure.

Rudeney

You have an M112 engine which is not subject to the defects that caused balance shaft failure as with the M272/M273 engines. I would get codes read and go from there. Since this is not balance shaft related, You probably want to start a new thread, and you should put that in the W163 forum. I'm glad to help if I can, but I don't frequent that forum, so once you get the codes read and post a thread there, PM me and I'll hop over and take a look!

ducryder1

Can some check this vin
4JGBB86E36A035313
2006 ml350
Thank in advance!

Firedep1

Hi Rodney, can you please the VIN number on my 2009 C350 WDDGF56X39R43616. Thank you!

Merscheim

Please check this VIN for issues-----2009 E350 vin# WDBUF56X99B409938

Rudeney

No need to check VINs on these! All MY2006's with the M272 engine (xx2300, xx280, xs300,xx350) will be "in the range" for potential balance shaft failure. Anything MY2008 or later will be beyond the range. The only engines we need to check are MY2007 as it was halfway through that build when the problem was realized and rectified.

bsamoul

Could you see if my '07 is in the range?

WDBUF56X27B0979975

Thanks.

Rudeney

Is that VIN actually WDBUF56X27B097975? If so, it's M272 engine #544363 , which is beyond the balance shaft trouble range.

ml350_rider

Hi Rudeney,

Thank you for providing such an invaluable service to this site.

Can you help me with my vin? 4JGBB86E26A053155

*fingers crossed*

Thank you!