Please check my VIN for Balance shaft issue?
Newbie
Joined: Sep 2013
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CLK 350 Cabrio
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.
Junior Member
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 47
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From: San Clemente, CA
2013 ML350, 2006 SLK280
I have a 2006 R350 with 118,000 miles and took it in to the dealer for recall work to be done replacing the cam shaft adjuster magentas and wire harness. I had a p0016 code and they said recall work did not fix it. It is the balance shaft gear. I was prepared for them to tell me $6k to fix, but instead the service advisor said "We are fixing it under warranty so give us 3 more days." I was floored. Certainly Mercedes seems to be slowly changing their stance on fixing this defect.
Junior Member
Joined: Jan 2011
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From: Salinas, Ca
2007 GL450, 2003 BMW 325i
rostrom; that's outstanding news!
Reading back in my service records from my dealer, I noticed they replaced the solenoid wiring harness under an open campaign while doing an express lube oil and filter... maybe there's hope for me. (The wife is already shopping for a Tahoe
... grr.) And, while I was investigating the cam magnets myslef, I noticed a loose bolt for one on the passenger side. I wonder if that is tell-tale of them doing more than replacing the wiring harness?
Reading back in my service records from my dealer, I noticed they replaced the solenoid wiring harness under an open campaign while doing an express lube oil and filter... maybe there's hope for me. (The wife is already shopping for a Tahoe
... grr.) And, while I was investigating the cam magnets myslef, I noticed a loose bolt for one on the passenger side. I wonder if that is tell-tale of them doing more than replacing the wiring harness?
MBworld Guru
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NO LONGER ACTIVE
I have a 2006 R350 with 118,000 miles and took it in to the dealer for recall work to be done replacing the cam shaft adjuster magentas and wire harness. I had a p0016 code and they said recall work did not fix it. It is the balance shaft gear. I was prepared for them to tell me $6k to fix, but instead the service advisor said "We are fixing it under warranty so give us 3 more days." I was floored. Certainly Mercedes seems to be slowly changing their stance on fixing this defect.
Junior Member
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 47
Likes: 2
From: San Clemente, CA
2013 ML350, 2006 SLK280
No, I'm not the original owner (I bought it 1 yr old with 9k miles) and I don't even use the dealer very often once my cars are out of warranty. I do regular maintenance myself and use and indy repair shop for most repairs.
The only thing I can think of is about 3 years ago I had the dealer doing some minor work and they found a small oil leak due to a bad plug of some sort. Today I realized that this may have been the wire harness that is now under recall. I'll try to find my documentation, but I recall it costing a good bit of money. Maybe they are doing this for me because I paid for a repair that later was part of a recall?
The only thing I can think of is about 3 years ago I had the dealer doing some minor work and they found a small oil leak due to a bad plug of some sort. Today I realized that this may have been the wire harness that is now under recall. I'll try to find my documentation, but I recall it costing a good bit of money. Maybe they are doing this for me because I paid for a repair that later was part of a recall?
Member
Joined: Oct 2013
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2007 clk 550
Hi. Thinking of buying this 2008 clk550, would some kind MBWorlder pls chk this VIN for balance shaft failure susceptibility: WDBTK72G88T095426
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NO LONGER ACTIVE
No, I'm not the original owner (I bought it 1 yr old with 9k miles) and I don't even use the dealer very often once my cars are out of warranty. I do regular maintenance myself and use and indy repair shop for most repairs.
The only thing I can think of is about 3 years ago I had the dealer doing some minor work and they found a small oil leak due to a bad plug of some sort. Today I realized that this may have been the wire harness that is now under recall. I'll try to find my documentation, but I recall it costing a good bit of money. Maybe they are doing this for me because I paid for a repair that later was part of a recall?
The only thing I can think of is about 3 years ago I had the dealer doing some minor work and they found a small oil leak due to a bad plug of some sort. Today I realized that this may have been the wire harness that is now under recall. I'll try to find my documentation, but I recall it costing a good bit of money. Maybe they are doing this for me because I paid for a repair that later was part of a recall?
What dealer was this? I think it's worth a mention since they did you a favor!
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MBworld Guru
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NO LONGER ACTIVE
WDBTK72G88T095426 has M273 engine #215863. As expected with a MY2008, that's well beyond the affected range.
Member
Joined: Oct 2013
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2007 clk 550
Hi. Would someone mind checking if this VIN (from a 2007 CLK 550 I want to buy) is susceptible: WDBTK72F87T079099
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WDBTK72F87T079099 has M273 engine #86658, which is in the affected range for potential problems with the timing chain idler gear. y recommendation for prospective buyers is to avoid engine in the range unless you get a huge discount - like $4K or more below KBB trade-in value.
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2007 clk 550
can someone pls chk this 07 WDBTK72F47T076622
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WDBTK72F47T076622 is in the affected range, too - engine #63914. You're looking for a V8 engine after #30-88611 or a V6 after #30-468993. Unfortunately, you can't tell just by looking at a VIN range - you have to plug the VIN into EPC to get the build data showing the engine serial number. I don't mind at all doing lookups, but if you get into a spot where you "need it now" to make a decisiojn and I'm not online, you can use this site:
Russian EPC
Unless you speak Russian, I suggest using a browser that supports translations (like Google Chrome). Just plug your VIN into the text box, click the button to the right, then on the next screen, click the button on the top right side. If there is button on the top right, then it does not have the datacard for that vehicle. I think that's because it's only good through MY2011, but that is fine for balance shaft checks as anything as of MY2008 or later would not be affected anyhow.
Russian EPC
Unless you speak Russian, I suggest using a browser that supports translations (like Google Chrome). Just plug your VIN into the text box, click the button to the right, then on the next screen, click the button on the top right side. If there is button on the top right, then it does not have the datacard for that vehicle. I think that's because it's only good through MY2011, but that is fine for balance shaft checks as anything as of MY2008 or later would not be affected anyhow.
Newbie
Joined: Oct 2013
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E350
Is there a site where I can go to see if I will have an issue with my E350 if I buy it, or can anyone tell me?
VIN - WDBUF87J56X189353
VIN - WDBUF87J56X189353
Last edited by rj4pr; Oct 15, 2013 at 03:47 PM.
Newbie
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 5
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E350
Please check this VIN for Balance Cam Issues as I feel I am buying this car.
WDBUF56X09B419984
WDBUF56X09B419984
Newbie
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 1
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Audi A3
Please check my VIN
Will you please check this VIN for a 2008 CLK550 WDBTK72F48T094233 we're wanting to buy? Thanks for looking out for all of us!
Newbie
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2007 CLK 350
MBworld Guru
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WDBTK72F48T094233 has M273 engine #205343 - well bryond the affected range, as expected with a MY2008.
Newbie
Joined: Oct 2013
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2006 c230
Was considering buying a used 2006 C 230 with 115k miles.
Now not sure. Can anyone tell me if VIN# WDBRF52H46E022051 would be one of these affected cars with the balance shaft issue?
The OBD is giving the P0012 code along with three others.
Thanks, am getting a real education on this site.
Now not sure. Can anyone tell me if VIN# WDBRF52H46E022051 would be one of these affected cars with the balance shaft issue?
The OBD is giving the P0012 code along with three others.
Thanks, am getting a real education on this site.
MBworld Guru
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 10,782
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WDBRF52H46E022051 has M272 engine #272980, which is in the range for potential balance shaft failure 9as will be all MY2006s and half the My2007s). The P0012 code is indicative of camshaft sensor magnet failure, which is an easy job, and about $100 in parts. The codes to look out for are P0016 and P0017, but my advice is to pass on any car in the affected range for balance shaft problems.
