Crankshaft sensor related to rear main seal?
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Joined: Jan 2009
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2005 E320 W211
Crankshaft sensor related to rear main seal?
Hi all, I have a 2005 E320 with about 80,000 miles on it with no prior major mechanical problems. Yesterday it died on me at a traffic light and wouldn't start again; every time I turned the key it kept choking, trying to start then it would die. All electrical works so I knew it wasn't the battery.
Took it to a certified Merc mechanic and he mentioned that the main issue is the crankshaft position sensor - $140 not a big deal. However, when I asked why this was occurring he said there was a leak in the rear main seal and that caused oil to get on the sensor. Wants to charge me $850 for the seal leak. Does that explanation make sense? Am I being ripped off? If I just got the sensor replaced, how detrimental is it to drive with the rear main seal leak and how much time do I have on average before it gets serious? Thanks.
Took it to a certified Merc mechanic and he mentioned that the main issue is the crankshaft position sensor - $140 not a big deal. However, when I asked why this was occurring he said there was a leak in the rear main seal and that caused oil to get on the sensor. Wants to charge me $850 for the seal leak. Does that explanation make sense? Am I being ripped off? If I just got the sensor replaced, how detrimental is it to drive with the rear main seal leak and how much time do I have on average before it gets serious? Thanks.
Former Vendor of MBWorld
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 1,209
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From: Long Island, NY
Hi all, I have a 2005 E320 with about 80,000 miles on it with no prior major mechanical problems. Yesterday it died on me at a traffic light and wouldn't start again; every time I turned the key it kept choking, trying to start then it would die. All electrical works so I knew it wasn't the battery.
Took it to a certified Merc mechanic and he mentioned that the main issue is the crankshaft position sensor - $140 not a big deal. However, when I asked why this was occurring he said there was a leak in the rear main seal and that caused oil to get on the sensor. Wants to charge me $850 for the seal leak. Does that explanation make sense? Am I being ripped off? If I just got the sensor replaced, how detrimental is it to drive with the rear main seal leak and how much time do I have on average before it gets serious? Thanks.
Took it to a certified Merc mechanic and he mentioned that the main issue is the crankshaft position sensor - $140 not a big deal. However, when I asked why this was occurring he said there was a leak in the rear main seal and that caused oil to get on the sensor. Wants to charge me $850 for the seal leak. Does that explanation make sense? Am I being ripped off? If I just got the sensor replaced, how detrimental is it to drive with the rear main seal leak and how much time do I have on average before it gets serious? Thanks.
Good luck with the repair.
Former Vendor of MBWorld
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 1,209
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From: Long Island, NY
I was just thinking about it and I believe that the crankshaft sensor is on the front of that engine, it's not on the rear. The rear main seal should not really be affecting it. Maybe it is the front crank seal (crankshaft main bearing seal).
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 320
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From: North NJ
06 E55(SOLD), 03 E500(SOLD)
If the mechanic found engine oil on the sensor, the only likely source would be a rear main seal leak. IMHO oil can affect the sensor.
Member
Joined: Sep 2011
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2009 E350 4Matic Sport sedan
crank sensor
FWIW, my crankshaft sensor died at around 75K, too. The tech told me that they commonly fail at around that mileage...not always, but frequently.
(My '99 CLK320's sensor was at the front of the engine.)
relinuca
(My '99 CLK320's sensor was at the front of the engine.)
relinuca
