Took my 06 CLK 350 on a road trip... smelled burny
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 319
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From: SoCal
C350 '12
Took my 06 CLK 350 on a road trip... smelled burny
I drove my CLK pretty hard a few days ago. The tranny had been drained, new dust filters put on, oil changed, new brakes == 56k on speedo -- but smelled a burny smell after first leg of the trip when I got out of the car.
Do you guys recommend me having the engine steam cleaned? The guy I sold my c230 04 with only 40k miles on it a few months ago is steam cleaning the engine, says it helps dissipate heat?
I got a steady 28mpg and a tiny bit more on the road trip, that was good.
And the tranny is finnicky in the morning. A little bumpy. My MB SA says the bumpy tranny jerks in the morning are "to be expected"? Is this true? Should I have the transmission fluid tested to double check these guys did a real drain on the transmission? Yes my car has a drain plug.
Do you guys recommend me having the engine steam cleaned? The guy I sold my c230 04 with only 40k miles on it a few months ago is steam cleaning the engine, says it helps dissipate heat?
I got a steady 28mpg and a tiny bit more on the road trip, that was good.
And the tranny is finnicky in the morning. A little bumpy. My MB SA says the bumpy tranny jerks in the morning are "to be expected"? Is this true? Should I have the transmission fluid tested to double check these guys did a real drain on the transmission? Yes my car has a drain plug.
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Joined: Dec 2009
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NO LONGER ACTIVE
I would not steam clean the engine - there are too many sensitive electronics there that you don't want to get wet. The transmission should not be finicky. It might delay an upshift in when cold in very cold temps, but that's it. Bumpy shifts can be symptomatic of low fluid. Who did the fluid/filter change? If the dealer did it, I would insist that they re-check the level. On the 722.9, it's not an easy process to check the fluid level and if the tech doesn't do it "just right" (the engine at just the proper temp) it can easily be improperly filled. Also, you might have them flash the latest TCU code - the early 722.9s were bad about some harsh or "hunting" shifts. The new software helps tremendously.
The burning smell could have be from new brakes, or you could have an oil leak. A common leak on the M272 are the cam plugs. They are on the back of the left-bank head. Run your hand down there to check for oil (a white paper towel can help). Here's a photo another member posted looking down from the top at them:
The burning smell could have be from new brakes, or you could have an oil leak. A common leak on the M272 are the cam plugs. They are on the back of the left-bank head. Run your hand down there to check for oil (a white paper towel can help). Here's a photo another member posted looking down from the top at them:
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 319
Likes: 5
From: SoCal
C350 '12
I would not steam clean the engine - there are too many sensitive electronics there that you don't want to get wet. The transmission should not be finicky. It might delay an upshift in when cold in very cold temps, but that's it. Bumpy shifts can be symptomatic of low fluid. Who did the fluid/filter change? If the dealer did it, I would insist that they re-check the level. On the 722.9, it's not an easy process to check the fluid level and if the tech doesn't do it "just right" (the engine at just the proper temp) it can easily be improperly filled. Also, you might have them flash the latest TCU code - the early 722.9s were bad about some harsh or "hunting" shifts. The new software helps tremendously.
The burning smell could have be from new brakes, or you could have an oil leak. A common leak on the M272 are the cam plugs. They are on the back of the left-bank head. Run your hand down there to check for oil (a white paper towel can help). Here's a photo another member posted looking down from the top at them:
The burning smell could have be from new brakes, or you could have an oil leak. A common leak on the M272 are the cam plugs. They are on the back of the left-bank head. Run your hand down there to check for oil (a white paper towel can help). Here's a photo another member posted looking down from the top at them:
Super Moderator
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 19,942
Likes: 192
From: Llandudno, Cape Town, South Africa
late 2009 CLK 350 Coupe Elegance, '65 Jaguar S Type wires
Cambox plugs, cambox covers or transmission cooler unions are likely source of a leak onto the exhaust. It takes very little oil/fluid to smell.
See:
https://mbworld.org/forums/c-class-w...ngine-bay.html
See:
https://mbworld.org/forums/c-class-w...ngine-bay.html
Newbie
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
From: Houston, TX
2008 C350
oil leak from CAM plugs
I'm so glad I'm in this forum. 
Took car for service and was told that I have an oil leak from the CAM plugs...$325
After reading this thread, it made sense. I sometimes smelled a burned smell and the engine seems to be rough. Plus the Texas heat probably contributed too.
thanks!
Took car for service and was told that I have an oil leak from the CAM plugs...$325After reading this thread, it made sense. I sometimes smelled a burned smell and the engine seems to be rough. Plus the Texas heat probably contributed too.
thanks!
