chopperpilot

Sorry for the bad news. If you go back through the thread, Rudeney has posted about the best info you can find as far as what this may mean for you and your CLK. I would be cautiously optimistic with your mileage that you may not have a bad one. Is your check engine light on? Either way, I would have it scanned at Automax or an auto parts store and see if you have any stored codes for P0016 or P0017. They'll do it for free and that is the tell tale sign of the impending problem. Good luck.

chopperpilot

StockSilverCLK

There's no light on but I will check for stored codes... I just bought the car last night so I don't know about before that. This is quite a bummer, now I feel like I can't even romp on the gas and enjoy this car.

chopperpilot

Yeah, it's a bummer. I dodged a bullet with mine as I didn't know about this problem before I bought my ML, either. It won't really matter how you drive it, though. The problem will either manifest itself or won't. If you bought it from a dealer, you can probably still add some kind of a warranty that will cover it. It will probably run you $2,000 or so, but you could also be covered for other expensive problems that could crop up along the way depending on the warranty you buy. You might enjoy the car more if you knew you weren't going to possibly get stuck with a big bill at some point. Just a thought...

StockSilverCLK

I've been thinking aftermarket warranty since reading about these issues. I started a thread about them hoping to see what people paid through different companies for different types of coverage. I'd gladly pay $2,000 to cover everything.

chopperpilot

I checked into it before I knew whether I might have the problem or not. I think I could have gotten a power train only warranty from the dealer I bought it from for about $2,000. The independent ones I called were crazy expensive, but you hopefully can do better.

Rudeney

Like I said in your other thread - the more problem-free miles you rack up, the less likely your car will experience the failure. If it does fail, it can be fixed, it will just cost around $4K to have it done, or, if you DIY, maybe $300 (the job is all labor).

StockSilverCLK

Fair enough. Didn't mean to have the topic going in multiples threads, by the way, and appreciate everyone's help there. I'll weigh my options and at the end of the day if I have to repair it, there's nothing I can do and at least I can get back to enjoying the car knowing it's no longer an issue.

Tomastone

Hi can you check this VIN 4JGBB86E69A443941. Been having CEL problem.

chopperpilot

The site I use only works up through 2007, so I can't say. I am pretty sure your model year is 2009, which puts you well beyond the years for the bad balance shaft.

Rudeney

4JGBB86E69A443941 is a MY2009 ML350 with M272 engine #992179. As expected, it is far beyond the balance shaft problem range.

todderobert

Hey all, Alleluia, had my ODB II codes checked, so far so awesome. Took me a month to get to, what a life! Thanks to Rodney for his confidence and direction, I lucked out, and so far I pray for luck to all. No 16 and 17 codes yet. Car is great, support is great, an easy part of life!!

christovar

Hey guys! I'm new to the forum and this thread has caught my attention. I'm considering a 2006 CLK350 and based on what I've read I should have the VIN checked to see if the engine in this car is affected. Can someone please verify this for me? WDBTJ56H56F181721 - any other info you could provide would be extremely helpful in my purchase decision. Thanks in advance!

Rudeney

WDBTJ56H56F181721 has M272 engine#197027 which is in the range for potential balance shaft failure. All cars through MY2006 with the M272 or M273 engines will be affected. Probably half of the MY2007's will, too. Unless you want to take a $4K gamble, don't even look at MY2006 W209's, and always check the MY2007's. I have seen one MY2008 with an engine in the range, but that must have been a real fluke because the problem was actually discovered and rectified in calendar year 2006, so cars with build dates in late CY2006 and CY2007 should be OK, but with the global manufacturing plants and supply chain, I suppose it's possible that an "old" engine might have still been in inventory.

cwadebrickhouse

I planned to go look at a 2009 CLK 350 vin#WDBTJ56HX9F266378 this evening. Is it among the affected?
Glad I looked here first.

Thank You

clkphantom

Hi,
I have a 2006 ML350. I recently removed my balance shaft and installed a new one. I found this spring thing on the ground and I have no idea what it could be. If anyone knows what it is please let me know before I put the engine back in the car. It may not be related to the repair, I'm just trying to play it safe.

Rudeney

That's a MY2009 and as expected, the engine is way beyond the affected range. Basically, any M272/M273 through MY2006 is going ot be a problem, and about half the MY2007's. There was one report of a MY2008, but MY2009 is no worries.

benz500clk

Hi Rodney
I have a 2005 CLK 500 with only about 31k. As of now the engine does not show any sings of having this problem. Is my vehicle within the range for this problem ?
My VIN # W D B T K 7 5 J 6 5 F 1 4 4 3 9 6.
I do not have an extended warranty and I'm a little concern. Thank you.

Rudeney

Your CLK500 has an M113 engine, so no worries about the balance shaft issues with it. Only the M272/M273 engines were affected. My only concern on your car is that it's an early 722.9 7GTRONIC transmission and they tend to be more trouble prone, but nothing chronic. Just make sure you do the prescribed fluid & filter change (including torque converter drain!) at 39K miles, and, even though not officially indicated, I'd do it every 39K miles.

Jpad1971

Could you please check 2007 E350

WDBUF56X37A989657

I received a CEL with a code of P0012 and P0017.

So I think I already know the answer.

The CEL went away after one day.

72,103 miles. Just bought it 60 days ago.

chopperpilot

You're in the range with engine number 393440. The P0017 is not a good sign.

Jpad1971

Thank you.

I figured the P0017 was not a good sign. Wish I had found out of this problem before I made my purchase. Edmunds has my model listed as a 9/10 reliability, Carfax was clean ... live and learn I guess.

The dealer I bought the car from claims he gives a 90 day Powertrain warranty good to 4500 miles. I am not expecting him to stand behind this one.

chopperpilot

You at least have a warranty going for you. Get it diagnosed ASAP. I would think he would have to, at the very minimum, share some of the cost if the balance shaft is bad. You should be on solid legal ground if push turns to shove. Good luck.

Rudeney

I would definitely look into that dealer's warranty - make them honor it! The P0012 is a symptom of bad cam sensor magnets and that is easy and cheap, but the P0017 is almost certainly caused by a bad timing idler gear on the balance shaft.

bobcattt

Hello All. Friend told me of balance shaft issue that may affect me. Any help appreciated. 2007 clk350 cabrio VIN: WDBTK56F47F206797

Thanks very much.

chopperpilot

bobcatt, your engine number is 399144, which is in the range for the problem.