Rodney, thank you very much for all your help. I will go for the 350. I will keep you posted. Thanks again.

 

Thank you very much for all your help Rodney. I will go for the 350. I will keep you posted. Thanks again

 

Hi Rodney,

Could you check 4JGBB86EX7A239186? edit: after a little research, my engine is 30 572451. Good to go?

Thank you!

 

This balance shaft problem isn't exclusive to 6 cyl engines? The first one on this thread I noticed is a CLK550 = 8cyl right? I ask because I'm considering getting a 2007 GL420 or an 2007 R500 and thought that getting an 8 cyl engine would alleviate this worry.

 

bumper signal

The affected engines are the 272, which is a 6 cylinder and the 273, an 8 cylinder.

 

4JGBB86EX7A239186 is an ML350 2ith M272 engine #572451 - beyond the rnage for balance shaft issues.

And yes, the M272 is a V6 (in various sizes - x280, x300, x350) and the M273 is a V8 (x450, x550). The V6 timing chain is driven by the balance shaft, while the V8's is drive by a gear bolted to the end of the crankshaft. Both the V6's balance shaft and the V8's timing gear were forged by the same supplier, and they used the same defective process in hardening the parts. It appears that not every balance shaft or timing gear forged during the "affect range" are bad, but there is no way to know until they fail.

 

So 2008 and above are 100% safe?

 

Thanks for help, Rodney! The reason I asked is because ever since I bought my 2007 ML350 last spring I started getting an intermittent P0025 code. I had a power steering pump reservoir leak ($4 dollar O ring fix) and a sensor got PS fluid in it. I cleaned the connection, hoping I solved the problem but then started getting an intermittent P0015. I have ordered the cam sensor magnets and will see if that does the trick. A local garage told me $700(!) to replace 2 position sensors (which I can buy for around $100 a piece) but that doesn't seem to be the problem from everything I've read. The nearest MB dealer is 100 miles away. Just glad it's unlikely a balance shaft problem! Also, is there any kind of diagram that show the sensor to the corresponding CEL code that you know of?

 

P0015 and P0025 are both symptoms of the bad camshaft sensor magnets. Those sensor are about $100 for all of them - not just one. Here they are at parts.com:

http://www.parts.com/parts/index.cfm...earch&siteid=2

 

Not 100%, but probably 99.99%. In looking up engine serials numbers, I think I came across one MY2008 vehicle with an engine in the affected range. The thing you have to remember is that MBZ has many factories around the world building their cars. And while one factory might not have started building MY2008's until, say, May 2007, there could have been another factory building them much earlier. And then the engine used would depend on the global supply shipped from Germany. Also, the definition of "model year" varies by country. So, I can't say "100%", but if you have a USA MY2008, I think you are safe.

 

Hey thanks, Rodney. I only ordered 2 for the "bank one" (passenger side, correct?). I paid about $25 a piece. It sounds like I should replace all of them...

 

Yep, bank one is the right side (US passenger). I would go ahead and replace them all as they will probably fail. But of course no hurries - now you know the price and how to do it.

 

1- P0025
2- P0022
3- P0012
4- P0015

This is probably the wrong thread, but I found this picture. I'm not sure which engine it is, but I believe it is accurate for the 272 codes. I changed out the one that was giving me the P0015. The P0025 is a little harder to get at because of the PS reservoir. The light is out for now. Thanks.

 

Yep, according to the TSB (http://benzbits.com/BalanceShaftTSB.pdf):


Fault Code Scenario 2: One or more of the fault codes 0059, 0060, 0063, 0064, 0271, 0272, 0275, and 0276 is/are present in ME-SFI control module. The fault codes are recorded as current and/or stored in the fault memory. If current and/or stored, these codes are caused by a malfunctioning camshaft adjustment solenoid.
Applicable Models: Equipped with M272 Engine Up to Serial No. 2729..30 759427 or M273 Engine Up to Serial No. 2739..30 193592. Engines produced after serial nos. listed above are already equipped with improved camshaft adjustment solenoids (A272 051 01 77).
Procedure 2: Diagnose each DTC as per Star Diagnosis. If it is determined the solenoid is faulty, replace with solenoid A272 051 01 77 as per appropriate WIS instructions. Refer to WIS instructions AR05.20-P-7295* (* - applies to a specific model designation e.g. AR05.20-P-7295RTB – model 251).

Here's the DTC to generic P-code translation:

0059 = P0014
0060 = P0015
0063 = P0024
0064 = P0025
0271 = P0011
0272 = P0012
0275 = P0021
0276 = P0022

 

Thanks, Rodney. If anyone would like to check their own engine number to see if it one of the affected engines, I found this site. It's Russian, but all you need to do is enter the VIN in the box at the top and the results are in English. As Rodney has said, the affected engines are those engines up until these numbers:

M272- ...30 468993

M273- ...30 088611


088611http://www.neoriginal.ru/cat/mb/

 

Hi, we are replacing my beloved 1998 e320 wagon with 260,000 miles. We are looking at previous certified 2006 e350 wagon with 75k miles. Would y'all mind to look up one more vin for balance shaft problem? The VIN is WDBUH56J26A842363. Thanks so much for your help.- laurie k

 

That has M272 engine #122281. It is within the range for potential balance shaft failure.

 

I checked the russian sight and I believe vin# WDBUH56J26A842363 has one of the affected engines. I then went to carfax and found this service report:

"Transmission removed to complete repair
Valve cover gasket(s) replaced
Balancer shaft seal replaced
Engine removed to complete repair
Engine checked
Electrical system checked
Oil and filter changed
Camshaft position sensor adjusted
Cooling system checked"

...being this is a certified car and there is no other mention of any problem codes appearing, is it safe to assume that the balance shaft problem has been fixed? Or would I be making the classic error one makes when one assumes? What do y'all think about purchasing this car?

 

It sounds like the balance shaft was repaired, but I'd take the VIN (if not the car) to your local dealer and have them check. Sometimes the repair summary shown on Carfax reports can be difficult to decipher. The dealer will know for certain.

 

You are really great to do this. I really appreciate you sharing your knowledge and taking the time to help. Thanks -Laurie K

 

hello to all..
i'm a new meber to this forum and i would like to say hey to all.. and i have learned alot from this community before i registered..
i recently bought CLK350 cabrio 2006 and i would like to know if my engine falls into the balance shaft problem
this is my VIN number.. WDBTK56G36T062524
could you please check it for me!
i really hope im in the clear!!

 

Sorry, doctor. Your 272 engine falls into the affected group. Your engine number is 30 191722.

 

Hi Rodney,
Can you please check my vin # for balance shaft issue?
2008 R350
4JGCB65EX8A072369
50372 mi

 

I tried to look up your VIN but nothing came up. Are you sure it's correct?

 

4JGCB65EX8A072369 has M272 engine #769342, which is beyond the range for balance shaft problems (and also beyond the range for cam sensor magnet problems).

@chopperpilot: The Russian EPC site only seems to be good through MY2007 - that car is a MY2008, so it won't find it.