SBundlez

Since my car may have the dreaded balance shaft issue with my clk350, i was contemplating doing an engine swap since since the car is so old and they're cheap now (kinda). does anyone know if I go from the v6 to the v8 if i would have any issues? if so what would they be? would i have to change the sams? or would everything be pretty much plug and play?


Any assistance would be appreciated.

Rudeney

Well, I can tell you if $4K to fix the balance shaft sounds a bit high, then get ready for some big bucks to replace the V6 engine with a V8. Not only do you have the cost of the engine, you'll need a matching transmission and I believe a new differential. Of course a new ECU, which will mean either new EIS or at least some reprogramming with SDS. Honestly, if you want a V8, you'd be better off selling the car for what you can get and buying a CLK550.

tw2

Its always cheaper to buy the car you want than modify. Balance shaft looks challenging but not impossible to replace if you have some mechanical skills.

Rudeney

Agreed - if you can pull the engine, then the balance shaft replacement is a cakewalk.

tw2

If i read correctly you don't actually have a failure? I wouldn't even worry about it unless it happens. Only a small portion of the affected range will have defective shafts/sprocket (many factories made the same part) and many of those have probably gone a very long way without failing.

gaazmon

Definitely not worth the swap. You say may have? So if it actually doesn't show up I wouldn't worry about it.

SBundlez

i have the P0016 P0017 issue. swapped the sensors on both sides to see if it was them and the issue still came up on the same side. Is that not the balance shaft? If not what else could it be?

Rudeney

If you have P0016 and P0017 OBDII codes, then I am fairly certain you have balance shaft failure. Like I said earlier, if you are equipped to pull the engine for a swap, then replacing the balance shaft (the revised part is a permanent fix) is just a little bit of "bench work" with the engine out.

SBundlez

so what tools would i need besides an engine hoist?

tw2

Someone made a 25 min video on YouTube of their e350 balance shaft fix. I read and watched a few things when i was considering an SLK350, very helpful. Just normal hand tools i think plus torx and inverted torx.

SBundlez

do you have the link?

tw2

Search M272 intermediate shaft and you should find a few videos. This is the one I watched, mainly just commentary and opinions in 2 parts. It was just to satisfy what would be required if I got a SLK350 in the affected range as a second car.

The actual fix doesn't seem like a big deal at all. It is just the labor removing the engine and putting it back in. Of course there are other expenses like replenishing all the fluids and I am sure there are other preventative repairs that would make sense to perform at the same time. I have no idea but you might also need specific tools to set the timing but Rodney can advise you on that account.

SBundlez

Thank you..... do i need to change the timing chain with it? it looks like that might be kind of difficult

tw2

I doubt it is necessary but if you have high mileage and want to do everything possible. It should all be fairly easy with the engine out. Get a copy of WIS from ebay if you don't already.

Rudeney

My dealer, who did the job on my CK550, replaced the timing chain. The tech said even though it's not indicated in the TSB, they do it as a precautionary measure. Sort of like how you generally replace the water pump when doing a timing belt on a typical FWD engine. Some people also will replace the oil pump, too. My dealer said they only do that when they find pieces of teeth in the oil pan.