Please check my VIN for Balance shaft issue?
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Mercedes C63 AMG
2008 E350
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MBZ has always made great engine built for the long haul. The problem is that the supplier for this part screwed up. Some percentage of them in the known affected range will fail. Unfortunately, MBZ is very tight-lipped about the percentage of failures, and to make it worse, they are very inconsistent in their out-of-warranty coverage. As for the cost, it's a simple matter of hours to do the work times their labor rates. Maybe European labor rates are lower. Around here, it's $100-$150 per hour.
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05 E55, 05 Cayenne TT, 06 Carrera S X51
Aloha Rudeney. Although i hate for my first post on a tech forum to be an ask, but i am looking at a beauty of a 2008 E350 sport and would really like the peace of mind that comes with knowing it is outside the affected range of balance sprocket failure.
VIN is WDBUF56X08B188504
VIN is WDBUF56X08B188504
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528 BMW
Hello everyone. I have a 2007 350 CLK. The vin is WDBTK56G07T086250. Do I have the kiss of death. Thanks in advance.
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WDBTK56G07T086250 has M272 engine #623943 - it's beyond the range for balance shaft issues.
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From: Houston
2007 CLK550, Tundra Limited TRD
Last edited by MonsterLoad; Sep 25, 2013 at 01:36 PM.
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CLK 350 Cabrio
Hi Rodney,
Can you check my 2006 CLK 350 Cabrio VIN WDBTK56G46T072995 for balance shaft issues. Thanks in advance.
Can you check my 2006 CLK 350 Cabrio VIN WDBTK56G46T072995 for balance shaft issues. Thanks in advance.
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WDBTK56G46T072995 has M272 engine #366295, which is in the range for potential failure. I am fairly certain all M272/M273 engines through MY2006 will be in the range.
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CLK 350 Cabrio
Thanks Rodney. Got an OBDII after the CEL came on - here's what it said:
----Confirmed Codes Scan Report----
2 Confirmed Trouble Codes:
1:P0016 - Powertrain Issue
Crankshaft Position - Camshaft Position Correlation Bank1 Sensor A
2:P0017 - Powertrain Issue
Crankshaft Position - Camshaft Position Correlation Bank1 Sensor B
----Confirmed Codes Scan Report----
2 Confirmed Trouble Codes:
1:P0016 - Powertrain Issue
Crankshaft Position - Camshaft Position Correlation Bank1 Sensor A
2:P0017 - Powertrain Issue
Crankshaft Position - Camshaft Position Correlation Bank1 Sensor B
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Yep, those codes are the tell-tale symptoms of balance shaft failure. It will continue to get worse until the MIL is constantly illuminated. The repair is around $5K (some dealers charging even more). My advice is to either get ready to pay that or sell it NOW before the MIL comes on.
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From: USA
2009 ML350 4Matic
Hi, Could you help to check if my 2009 ML350 has the the shaft balance issue base on the engine serial number? here's the VIN: 4JGBB86E29A507649. Appreciate.
I'm trying to register on the https://epc.startekinfo.com/epc/ with no success.
I'm trying to register on the https://epc.startekinfo.com/epc/ with no success.
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I don't think there will be any MY2009s with balance shaft problems, and your engine is a"31" series so it's far out of the affected range.
Here's the datacard:
http://benzbits.com/4JGBB86E29A507649.pdf
Here's the datacard:
http://benzbits.com/4JGBB86E29A507649.pdf
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From: Salinas, Ca
2007 GL450, 2003 BMW 325i
2007 GL450 with P0025 code thrown yesterday along with the CEL with ~80k miles
Can you check this VIN for me? Thanks so much for posting!
4JGBF71E37A248365
Can you check this VIN for me? Thanks so much for posting!
4JGBF71E37A248365
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From: Ocala FL
2007 Mercedes ML350, 1999 ML430
Good news and bad news. The bad news is you have engine number 30 130661, which is in the affected range for the potentially bad balance shaft. The good news is the P0025 code is for the cam sensor magnets, which is a cheap fix.
Last edited by chopperpilot; Oct 3, 2013 at 06:23 PM.
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From: Salinas, Ca
2007 GL450, 2003 BMW 325i
Thanks chopperpilot. So from what I've been reading, replacing all four "cam sensor magnets" is recommended and is a DIY, but to regularly check for the dreaded P0016, and P0017 which are symptoms of the bad balance shaft failure.
I called my SA at my Dealer and they want it for a couple of hours for diagnosis. I'm not opposed to having them do work, I'm just a lot cheaper and just as capable when it comes to relatively simple mechanical replacements. There are no apparent leaks at the cylenoids as described on this thread and elsewhere. No driveability issues.
I called my SA at my Dealer and they want it for a couple of hours for diagnosis. I'm not opposed to having them do work, I'm just a lot cheaper and just as capable when it comes to relatively simple mechanical replacements. There are no apparent leaks at the cylenoids as described on this thread and elsewhere. No driveability issues.
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You've got it - for about half of what you'd pay the dealer for diagnosis and about the same amount of time spent waiting in the customer lounge, you can replace these cam sensor magnets yourself and just keep watching out for the P0016/P0017 codes.
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e500
Looking at getting into an 06 E350, VIN: WDBUF56J46A792040 . 87k miles, great price. Appears clean as a whistle. Would you be so kind as to tip me off as to whether I should run screaming from this car, or run to the dealer and pay cash today? 
Any way to tell if the issue exists and was fixed under warranty? (VMI I've read it's called?)
Thanks guys!
Any way to tell if the issue exists and was fixed under warranty? (VMI I've read it's called?)
Thanks guys!
Last edited by benzoolie; Oct 4, 2013 at 07:49 PM.
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WDBUF56J46A792040 has M272 engine #061793, which is in the range for potential balance shaft failure. My advice is, unless this one has already been repaired, pass on it. There are other cars out there (not MY2006, maybe MY2007) that will not be in range and will be as good. As for the VMI, only dealers can pull those, and most will not give them to customers, although they might look at it and tell you if it's had the balance shaft replaced.
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e500
WDBUF56J46A792040 has M272 engine #061793, which is in the range for potential balance shaft failure. My advice is, unless this one has already been repaired, pass on it. There are other cars out there (not MY2006, maybe MY2007) that will not be in range and will be as good. As for the VMI, only dealers can pull those, and most will not give them to customers, although they might look at it and tell you if it's had the balance shaft replaced.
