Please check my VIN for Balance shaft issue?
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Hi Rodney, I am considering buying VIN #: WDBRF52H47F881670 and was wondering if this car would be in range for the balance shaft issues. Any other words of wisdom to be on the look for as well would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance!
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Rodney,
Thanks so much for providing us this information. If you wouldn't mind, could you please look up my automobile. It is a 2007 CLK550
Vin is: WDBTJ72H67F207472
Thanks again, Matt
Thanks so much for providing us this information. If you wouldn't mind, could you please look up my automobile. It is a 2007 CLK550
Vin is: WDBTJ72H67F207472
Thanks again, Matt
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want a clk
I am considering buying this car, can you let me know if there is anything I should be looking out for that comes up in whatever program your using?
WDBTK75G54T020592
WDBTK75G54T020592
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c230
Thank you so much Rodney. I truly appreciate the assistance, and will continue reading these forums about any intake manifold, or suspension issues, . . . but am relieved we are beyond the balance shaft concern. You rock!
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Matt,
On V6 engines, a balance shaft is used to reduce engine vibrations inherent in that cylinder configuration. It's basically a shaft inside the engine block, parallel to the cranhaft with offsetting weights. It is drive by the center idler sprocket on the timing chain. The sprocket is just a forged part of the balance shaft. V8 engines are by design balanced and do not need a balance shaft. Their center idler sprocket for the timing gear is just bolted to the front of the engine block, inside the timing case.
The "balance shaft" failure is not actually a problem with the balance shaft itself, but is a failure of that center idler sprocket. On the V6, the repair requires replacing the balance shaft as it is all one forged part, but ont he V8, it;s gust the gear.
Unfortunately, your V8 is in the range for potential failure of this sprocket. Keep in mind that it may never be a problem as only a small percentage in the range have had problems. It seems the issue was improper heat hardening of the metal, but not all were affected. Maybe it was the "Thursday" parts, only the ones in oven #6 or those that "Bob" made. At any rate, plenty of cars never have the problem. Some people suggest that if you go over 100K miles with no problems, that you can breathe easy, but I have heard reports of a few that did show up then, but right over 100K. My advice is to get an OBDII scanner (any cheap one will work) and then check weekly for P0016 and P0017. They can be stored even if the MIL is not illuminated.
On V6 engines, a balance shaft is used to reduce engine vibrations inherent in that cylinder configuration. It's basically a shaft inside the engine block, parallel to the cranhaft with offsetting weights. It is drive by the center idler sprocket on the timing chain. The sprocket is just a forged part of the balance shaft. V8 engines are by design balanced and do not need a balance shaft. Their center idler sprocket for the timing gear is just bolted to the front of the engine block, inside the timing case.
The "balance shaft" failure is not actually a problem with the balance shaft itself, but is a failure of that center idler sprocket. On the V6, the repair requires replacing the balance shaft as it is all one forged part, but ont he V8, it;s gust the gear.
Unfortunately, your V8 is in the range for potential failure of this sprocket. Keep in mind that it may never be a problem as only a small percentage in the range have had problems. It seems the issue was improper heat hardening of the metal, but not all were affected. Maybe it was the "Thursday" parts, only the ones in oven #6 or those that "Bob" made. At any rate, plenty of cars never have the problem. Some people suggest that if you go over 100K miles with no problems, that you can breathe easy, but I have heard reports of a few that did show up then, but right over 100K. My advice is to get an OBDII scanner (any cheap one will work) and then check weekly for P0016 and P0017. They can be stored even if the MIL is not illuminated.
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I am considering buying this car, can you let me know if there is anything I should be looking out for that comes up in whatever program your using?
WDBTK75G54T020592
WDBTK75G54T020592
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E350W 4matic
Rodney, could you check my (new to me) 2008 E350 4matic for any affected issues?
WDBUF87X78B344697
Thank you so much for your help
WDBUF87X78B344697
Thank you so much for your help
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WDBUF87X78B344697 has M272 engine #964680, which as expected with a MY2008, is beyond the range for balance shaft issues. it is also beyond the range for "cam magnet" failure.
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08 r350 4matic
Cam Adjuster Solenoids TSB
Your R350 has M272 engine #754155, which as expected with a MY2008 is beyond the range for balance shaft issues. But, it is still in the range for troubles witht he camshaft adjuster solenoids (a.k.a. "cam magnets"). These parts are about $100 for all four, and the labor is maybe 2 hours (and a fairly simple DIY if you are so inclined). This is covered in the TSB under "Scenario 2". Some dealers will cover this under goodwill. As for the intake manifold, there are some reports of failure with it, either cracks or broken actuators for the variable-length baffles. The manifold does have to be replaced as an entire unit, though some enterprising DIYers have repaired the broken parts themselves. My only caution about that repair is there have been reports of broken manifold pieces entering the engine combustion chamber and causing sever problems.
Thanks again for your help....!!!
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2002 Mercedes S500 (w220)
WDBTJ72HX7F212058 please help break down this vin# I'm looking to purchase a 2007 CLK550 but not sure if the engine number is past the idler gear issue - I just don't understand if its the last six digits or for example this engine # is 67 071246 and it states engines 30.. are effect please help - when decoding the VIN# im getting engine number 30 273 967 071 246
from mercedes bulletin:
Applicable Models (Not Applicable to Model 164.156, 204 or 216.386): Equipped with M272 Engine Up to Serial No. 2729..30 468993 or M273 Engine Up to Serial No. 2739..30 088611.
The material for the balance shaft sprocket and the timing chain guide wheel (idler) was modified on engines past the serial numbers listed above.
from mercedes bulletin:
Applicable Models (Not Applicable to Model 164.156, 204 or 216.386): Equipped with M272 Engine Up to Serial No. 2729..30 468993 or M273 Engine Up to Serial No. 2739..30 088611.
The material for the balance shaft sprocket and the timing chain guide wheel (idler) was modified on engines past the serial numbers listed above.
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From: Queens/L.I. , NY
CLK350 2007
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Good news - WDBTJ56H07F216196 has M272 engine #500162, which is beyond the range for balance shaft issues. It may still have camshaft solenoid problems, but that's easy & cheap to fix.
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From: Queens/L.I. , NY
CLK350 2007
Good news - WDBTJ56H07F216196 has M272 engine #500162, which is beyond the range for balance shaft issues. It may still have camshaft solenoid problems, but that's easy & cheap to fix.
Back to driving in snow with my ESP off lol... jk time to add some mods i wanted finally
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The CLK is most certainly susceptible to "balance shaft failure" as it uses the M272 and M273 engines. Any MBZ model with the M272 or M273 engine in the affected range can fail. The lawyers that drew up the class action lawsuit were ignorant and that is one of the reasons ti was thrown out of court.
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From: Fort Hood, TX
C300 W204 Luxury
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WDDGF54X78F105764 is in the clear as expected with a MY2008 it has M272 engine #836231, which is beyond the balance shaft problem range. All W204's should be clear.
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Mazda 6
Hi Rodney,
Kindly help check these 2units of E280 2007 which I interested to purchase; are they in the range for potential timing chain idler sprocket failure?
WDD2110546L004424 Engine 27294330458075
WDD2110546L004446 Engine 27294330458097
Thanks so much for your wonderful services!
Regards,
Sean
Kindly help check these 2units of E280 2007 which I interested to purchase; are they in the range for potential timing chain idler sprocket failure?
WDD2110546L004424 Engine 27294330458075
WDD2110546L004446 Engine 27294330458097
Thanks so much for your wonderful services!
Regards,
Sean
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Hi Sean, both of those are in the range for potential failure. Any M272 engine up to #468993 and any M273 engine up to #88611 are in the range.
FYI, these engine serial numbers are in the format of M27a9bb3cdddddd. "a" is "2' for the V6 model and "3" for the V8. "bb" is a sub-part number differentiating the different displacement size (These engines were built in ranges from 2.5l to 5.5l). "c" can really just be though of as the 7th digit of the serial number ("dddddd"). So, when I say "up to engine #468993, it means up to "M2729xx30468993" and up to 88611 is "M2739xx30088611".
FYI, these engine serial numbers are in the format of M27a9bb3cdddddd. "a" is "2' for the V6 model and "3" for the V8. "bb" is a sub-part number differentiating the different displacement size (These engines were built in ranges from 2.5l to 5.5l). "c" can really just be though of as the 7th digit of the serial number ("dddddd"). So, when I say "up to engine #468993, it means up to "M2729xx30468993" and up to 88611 is "M2739xx30088611".
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Mazda 6
Hi Sean, both of those are in the range for potential failure. Any M272 engine up to #468993 and any M273 engine up to #88611 are in the range.
FYI, these engine serial numbers are in the format of M27a9bb3cdddddd. "a" is "2' for the V6 model and "3" for the V8. "bb" is a sub-part number differentiating the different displacement size (These engines were built in ranges from 2.5l to 5.5l). "c" can really just be though of as the 7th digit of the serial number ("dddddd"). So, when I say "up to engine #468993, it means up to "M2729xx30468993" and up to 88611 is "M2739xx30088611".
FYI, these engine serial numbers are in the format of M27a9bb3cdddddd. "a" is "2' for the V6 model and "3" for the V8. "bb" is a sub-part number differentiating the different displacement size (These engines were built in ranges from 2.5l to 5.5l). "c" can really just be though of as the 7th digit of the serial number ("dddddd"). So, when I say "up to engine #468993, it means up to "M2729xx30468993" and up to 88611 is "M2739xx30088611".
I'm wondering if all E280 built 2007 are affected...meaning I'll have to look at year 2008 for unaffected E280 ?
