romansroad

Now that I've bought this 2006 CLK350 Cabriolet for my daughter, I find out I have a host of BIG issues (maybe). Already have the 7 speed tranny problem, various oil leaks, antifreeze leak, climate control problem...yadda yadda.

Before I unload this sorry bucket of bolts, I would like to know if my engine is in the range to have the pot metal crummy balance gear.....if so, I am DONE with MB. Promised myself wouldn't have another after 2 "S" class suboptimal experiences.

I've searched here and the other forums, but no joy. Can anyone tell me if my engine is one of the bad ones?

Thanks very much!

Louie D

You will need to find out the serial # for you engine then see if it falls within the numbers.



M272 engines (bearing serial numbers up to 2729..30 468993)

Here is a full link to some info.
http://classactionlawsuitsinthenews....-m273-engines/

Mka77

55k in... and no issues with my 06'. Hate hearing your is such a mess. Good luck with it.

romansroad

Thank so much for the replies. If only MB was as great as the owners on theis forum we would have no issues!

The lawsuit link doesnt list the CLK350 at all, yet I understand the engine in question was used in the CLK 350. I found where one sees the engine ID#, but not sure if you can see that area from the engine bay.

Is there a way on the MB site to enter the VIN and get the build data?

Louie D

You can call a MB service talk to a SA and give them your Vin the should be able to tell you the engine #.

romansroad

Great...I'm on it!

Mka77

Exactly what I did while in the dealership....

romansroad

Okay....Eric at MBUSA was great. My engine serial# is 27296030 202025 and the MB TSB states "

M272 Engine Up to Serial No. 2729..30 468993

With the elipsis in there, I assume that the last 6 digits are the critical ones? The 08 CLK350 I'm looking at to swap, has serial # 27296030 661785 which looks outside the range. Any advice if I'm reading this right?

Finally, does the 2008 CLK350 have the 7 speed tranny woes???

Glyn M Ruck

No!

romansroad

Thanks Glyn and everyone! Will be paying a bit more $$ and trading the 06 for the 08.

BTW, the rep at MBUSA told me the specific VIN of my 2006 didn't have the sproket potential, BUT the TSB lists my known engine serial# as part of the problem ones.

Am I to assume that MBUSA doesn't acknowedge this issue enough to specifically include my VIN, or do they wait until the symptom sequence comes into the shop, then pull the TSB and see if the engine is on the problem list? Just wondering...

romansroad

Forgive my rudeness as well Mike and Louie.....those are both beautiful cars!

Rudeney

The latter - they won't acknowledge that TSB until you experience problems. If you have then early enough, they might cover the repairs. The did for my 2007 with 35K miles, but others with over 90K miles said they were denied help.

Mka77

No harm.

togi55

Does anyone know why isn't the CLK350 on the class action list if those engines were used in them? http://bit.ly/MgDKtz

Mka77

It was. Check the original claim. My VIN was in the affected range.

Rudeney

FYI, the class action suit was crap. The lawyers that researched the problem were idiots and had some wrong models included, and others left off. Models don't matter. All that matters is if you have an M272 V6 or M273 V8 within the affected serial number range.

Thomamd9

Hi Guys, I'm new to this forum and I am thinking about buying a gently used '09 clk 350 coupe, and I was wondering if the 2009's were also plagued by the balance shaft issues in the 2006 - 2008's?

Please let me know, as the car I'm considereing has 50k miles.

Thanks for your help!

Matt

Rudeney

No, MY2009 vehicles should be free of balance shaft issues. In fact, MY2008 should be good, too, although there has been one report on the forums of a MY2008 VIN having an engine in the affected range. I think that was just a fluke or maybe even an error in EPC. Anyhow, MY2009 is certainly going to be free of that problem. I would just check anything through MY2007.

Thomamd9

Thanks for your help Rodney! Really Appreciate it! So one more thing, so should I be worried about any other mechanical issues with the car at either the 50k, 60k or 70k mile mark besides normal wear and tear?

Matt

Rudeney

No, Matt, there is nothing specific. One thing to consider is that there is a transmission fluid & filter change due at 39K miles. Unless you can get definitive proof that this was done, then DO IT! In fact, after seeing the fluid in mine at 39K miles, I think doing it every 39K miles is a good idea. Expect to replace tires (at least rears) about every 20K miles. Just do the scheduled maintenance and you should be good.