Swirl Flap Actuator Problem
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Feb 2018
Posts: 20
Likes: 1
2007 C280 4Matic
Swirl Flap Actuator Problem
I have a 2007 C280 that's got the code for the intake manifold swirl flap being closed.
After doing some research, I see it's caused by a bad design of the intake manifold and a common problem.
Using an inspection scope, I confirmed the plastic arm on the swirl flap actuator is broken at the bottom.
My wife drives the car and I'm seeing that it hasn't impacted the way the engine runs which seems fine.
I don't know how long it has been broken and plan to have the manifold repaired with the repair kit versus replacing the entire manifold.
Does anyone know if it will harm the engine driving it this way until I get it repaired?
I have to say.. I'm very disappointed in the quality of the engineering in this car which has a lot of be desired and will never buy another benz.
I don't mind paying for typical wear and tear repairs but between this problem and the gas tank seal leak, I keep shelling out good $$ for repairs that occurred due to poor quality.
After doing some research, I see it's caused by a bad design of the intake manifold and a common problem.
Using an inspection scope, I confirmed the plastic arm on the swirl flap actuator is broken at the bottom.
My wife drives the car and I'm seeing that it hasn't impacted the way the engine runs which seems fine.
I don't know how long it has been broken and plan to have the manifold repaired with the repair kit versus replacing the entire manifold.
Does anyone know if it will harm the engine driving it this way until I get it repaired?
I have to say.. I'm very disappointed in the quality of the engineering in this car which has a lot of be desired and will never buy another benz.
I don't mind paying for typical wear and tear repairs but between this problem and the gas tank seal leak, I keep shelling out good $$ for repairs that occurred due to poor quality.
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Joined: May 2017
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Likes: 434
C320
Some times the swirl flaps have been known to break off and get ingested by the engine which transforms it into a paperweight. I would continue to drive it but get it fixed ASAP.
You're right in your assessment, the m272 engine and 722.9 transmission were terrible design built out of the cheapest materials. The m112 and 722.6 are far more reliable. Just be happy your intermediate shaft hasn't failed yet. That thing is a time bomb.
You're right in your assessment, the m272 engine and 722.9 transmission were terrible design built out of the cheapest materials. The m112 and 722.6 are far more reliable. Just be happy your intermediate shaft hasn't failed yet. That thing is a time bomb.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: May 2017
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C320
Sorry, I should have said balance shaft.
http://www.mercedesmedic.com/check-m...y-vin-m272273/
http://www.mercedesmedic.com/check-m...y-vin-m272273/
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Feb 2018
Posts: 20
Likes: 1
2007 C280 4Matic
Thank you..
I ran the VIN number check and it looks like my car's engine was built with the newer parts that prevent this failure.
The site says if your engine number is higher than these below, I should be good.
M272 Engine Serial No. 2729..30 468993
M273 Engine Serial No. 2739..30 088611
My engine is..... 272941 30 512096
Am I reading this correctly?
I ran the VIN number check and it looks like my car's engine was built with the newer parts that prevent this failure.
The site says if your engine number is higher than these below, I should be good.
M272 Engine Serial No. 2729..30 468993
M273 Engine Serial No. 2739..30 088611
My engine is..... 272941 30 512096
Am I reading this correctly?
Last edited by jammgm; Nov 6, 2018 at 10:21 AM.
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MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: May 2017
Posts: 2,290
Likes: 434
C320
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Feb 2018
Posts: 20
Likes: 1
2007 C280 4Matic
Thanks.
Since the car is running ok, I'm debating whether to replace the entire manifold or just get the repair kit which replaces the actuator that has a shorter stroke and comes with the arms that are metal. I know the labor is the same to remove/install the manifold either way and trying to keep costs down.
I did see a video where you wont know if any of the other "piece of crap" plastic flaps are broken in the manifold until you remove it, thus requiring you to replace it.
Plus, does a new manifold come with the same POC actuator and plastic arm so you're back to the same problem again?
Personally, I think MB should replace them for free like they did with the balance shaft problems and the bad gas tanks in the E series.
My car's gas tank sending unit seal also leaks when you fill it. I haven't repaired it yet and just dont fill the tank pass 3/4.
Again, all bad design stuff that MB should take care of, especially for a car that only has 77K on it.
Since the car is running ok, I'm debating whether to replace the entire manifold or just get the repair kit which replaces the actuator that has a shorter stroke and comes with the arms that are metal. I know the labor is the same to remove/install the manifold either way and trying to keep costs down.
I did see a video where you wont know if any of the other "piece of crap" plastic flaps are broken in the manifold until you remove it, thus requiring you to replace it.
Plus, does a new manifold come with the same POC actuator and plastic arm so you're back to the same problem again?
Personally, I think MB should replace them for free like they did with the balance shaft problems and the bad gas tanks in the E series.
My car's gas tank sending unit seal also leaks when you fill it. I haven't repaired it yet and just dont fill the tank pass 3/4.
Again, all bad design stuff that MB should take care of, especially for a car that only has 77K on it.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Feb 2018
Posts: 20
Likes: 1
2007 C280 4Matic
If I replace the manifold, has Mercedes or a third party manufacturer improved it with a better design for the internal plastic flaps and actuator?
I really don't want to spend a lot for a repair that puts on the same crappy manifold.
I know there's a new type of actuator with the metal arms vs plastic and a redesigned stroke for the actuator and want to know if they improved the manifold too.
I really don't want to spend a lot for a repair that puts on the same crappy manifold.
I know there's a new type of actuator with the metal arms vs plastic and a redesigned stroke for the actuator and want to know if they improved the manifold too.
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 408
Likes: 41
From: Hawaii
2017 GLA 250, 2011 C63 P31 (p30 w/ lsd) (in repair), 2005 C230 Sport Eurocharged, 2003 C320~sold
Thanks.
Since the car is running ok, I'm debating whether to replace the entire manifold or just get the repair kit which replaces the actuator that has a shorter stroke and comes with the arms that are metal. I know the labor is the same to remove/install the manifold either way and trying to keep costs down.
I did see a video where you wont know if any of the other "piece of crap" plastic flaps are broken in the manifold until you remove it, thus requiring you to replace it.
Plus, does a new manifold come with the same POC actuator and plastic arm so you're back to the same problem again?
Personally, I think MB should replace them for free like they did with the balance shaft problems and the bad gas tanks in the E series.
My car's gas tank sending unit seal also leaks when you fill it. I haven't repaired it yet and just dont fill the tank pass 3/4.
Again, all bad design stuff that MB should take care of, especially for a car that only has 77K on it.
Since the car is running ok, I'm debating whether to replace the entire manifold or just get the repair kit which replaces the actuator that has a shorter stroke and comes with the arms that are metal. I know the labor is the same to remove/install the manifold either way and trying to keep costs down.
I did see a video where you wont know if any of the other "piece of crap" plastic flaps are broken in the manifold until you remove it, thus requiring you to replace it.
Plus, does a new manifold come with the same POC actuator and plastic arm so you're back to the same problem again?
Personally, I think MB should replace them for free like they did with the balance shaft problems and the bad gas tanks in the E series.
My car's gas tank sending unit seal also leaks when you fill it. I haven't repaired it yet and just dont fill the tank pass 3/4.
Again, all bad design stuff that MB should take care of, especially for a car that only has 77K on it.
If I replace the manifold, has Mercedes or a third party manufacturer improved it with a better design for the internal plastic flaps and actuator?
I really don't want to spend a lot for a repair that puts on the same crappy manifold.
I know there's a new type of actuator with the metal arms vs plastic and a redesigned stroke for the actuator and want to know if they improved the manifold too.
I really don't want to spend a lot for a repair that puts on the same crappy manifold.
I know there's a new type of actuator with the metal arms vs plastic and a redesigned stroke for the actuator and want to know if they improved the manifold too.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Feb 2018
Posts: 20
Likes: 1
2007 C280 4Matic
Thanks...
From what I'm reading, I don't know if the actuator with all the plastic parts is the more common failure versus the plastic flaps inside the manifold which can also fail and cause catastrophic failure in the engine.
Does anyone know if the failure of the internal flaps is a also a common occurrence, or do they fail at some point based on age or mileage?
I want to do the repair and would prefer just to repair the actuator with the new metal arms, versus replacing the entire manifold which would come with the same plastic parts that will fail again.
For the repair kits, I haven't seen anything that repairs the internal flaps of the manifold and not sure if that even makes sense to do, or is an option.
I want to complete the repair correctly and fix a crappy design flaw by MB..
Any feedback would be appreciated.
Thanks,
Jim
From what I'm reading, I don't know if the actuator with all the plastic parts is the more common failure versus the plastic flaps inside the manifold which can also fail and cause catastrophic failure in the engine.
Does anyone know if the failure of the internal flaps is a also a common occurrence, or do they fail at some point based on age or mileage?
I want to do the repair and would prefer just to repair the actuator with the new metal arms, versus replacing the entire manifold which would come with the same plastic parts that will fail again.
For the repair kits, I haven't seen anything that repairs the internal flaps of the manifold and not sure if that even makes sense to do, or is an option.
I want to complete the repair correctly and fix a crappy design flaw by MB..
Any feedback would be appreciated.
Thanks,
Jim
