The dreaded M272 Balance Shaft
07-17-2018, 04:47 PM
#501
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ML320
https://www.youtube.com/watch?reload=9&v=XXQArmxXsnM
Try to disregard the techno-music!
This won't really say that the repair has been done, but it should indicate whether there is a balance shaft problem. The teeth on the defective balance shaft sprocket get worn, and that throws off the positioning of the timing chain, as I understand it, thus throwing the code.
The cost of the repair is usually over $5000. That often essentially totals the car. I had to have the repair on my 2007 E350. My wife has a 2006 E350, but relatively low miles, so no issue has popped up yet. Keeping fingers crossed. We are seeing more and more of these at higher mileage.
Try to disregard the techno-music!
This won't really say that the repair has been done, but it should indicate whether there is a balance shaft problem. The teeth on the defective balance shaft sprocket get worn, and that throws off the positioning of the timing chain, as I understand it, thus throwing the code.
The cost of the repair is usually over $5000. That often essentially totals the car. I had to have the repair on my 2007 E350. My wife has a 2006 E350, but relatively low miles, so no issue has popped up yet. Keeping fingers crossed. We are seeing more and more of these at higher mileage.
Thanks for the video. Is there anything that I can look for to tell if it has been worked on before?
07-17-2018, 05:15 PM
#502
The front camshaft covers might have black RTV oozing out depending on how careful they were. Then again the factory wasn’t perfect.
I guess you could remove the chain adjuster and see if it is the old or new style but that is $100 wasted and doesn’t prove anything.
I wonder if the markings on the cam gear covers changed over the years? This would be viewable through the holes after removing the cam sensors. Again doesn’t prove the balance shaft was replaced but still.
The inspection scope is the only way.
I guess you could remove the chain adjuster and see if it is the old or new style but that is $100 wasted and doesn’t prove anything.
I wonder if the markings on the cam gear covers changed over the years? This would be viewable through the holes after removing the cam sensors. Again doesn’t prove the balance shaft was replaced but still.
The inspection scope is the only way.
07-17-2018, 05:22 PM
#503
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2007 E350 Sedan
The balance shaft repair requires removal of the engine. The repair parts are not that much, but the labor cost is huge.
It is possible, although not likely, that the codes never got cleared. If they are cleared and the problem is still there, they should come back, although that may take some time. The fact that the codes are still there makes me think that the repair has never been done.
This may not be the car for you, unless the bank is willing to pay for the repair. Some people have been replacing the engine with a newer one (past the effected range of the balance shaft matter), as that may actually be cheaper than the repair.
This is an issue that anyone looking at this car will face. It is not at all unreasonable to tell the bank about it and ask what it will do. Someone is going to have to fix the problem, or prove to your satisfaction that there isn't one. You should not bear the risk, nor should you bear the expense.
We heard that only something like 25% of the affected cars would end up with the problem, although no one really knows for sure. Over time, and with higher mileage, we are seeing more of this popping up beyond the mileage range we would have expected (65K to maybe 100K). Like some others here, I am beginning to wonder if all of the cars in the affected range will ultimately have the issue arise.
07-17-2018, 05:30 PM
#504
The only way that this problem affects a percent of the cars such as 10-25% is if the parts were correctly sourced as hardened and the supplier(s) supplied both hardened and not.
In theory I guess that could be true but it is more realistic that it was sourced incorrectly and changed to hardened parts after the problem was found.
In theory I guess that could be true but it is more realistic that it was sourced incorrectly and changed to hardened parts after the problem was found.
07-17-2018, 05:31 PM
#505
Member
Been though this on my 06 E350 at 44700 miles, MB covered 15% total out of my pocket $5400. No indy would touch the job.
https://www.mycarfax.com/garage
WELL doesn't tell you much, here is the details from my balance shaft repair.
Mercedes - Benz of TemeculaServices Performed
- Vehicle serviced
Last edited by Shack1; 07-17-2018 at 05:40 PM.
07-17-2018, 05:37 PM
#506
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2007 E350 Sedan
The only way that this problem affects a percent of the cars such as 10-25% is if the parts were correctly sourced as hardened and the supplier(s) supplied both hardened and not.
In theory I guess that could be true but it is more realistic that it was sourced incorrectly and changed to hardened parts after the problem was found.
In theory I guess that could be true but it is more realistic that it was sourced incorrectly and changed to hardened parts after the problem was found.
07-18-2018, 07:29 PM
#507
It looks like I might have the same issue. My 2006 E350 with 97,000 miles is giving P0016 & P0017 codes. I took it to an indie mechanic and replaced the camshaft solenoids. I guess my question is how do I know if I only had a solenoid issue or if I have the balance shaft issue like everyone else?
07-18-2018, 07:42 PM
#508
The solenoids needed to be replaced anyways so good there. The camshaft sensor O rings should be replaced and will be part of your next step. Pick them up first.
Then google the videos on removing the sensors and visually looking for the marking on the gears with the crank at 305 degrees. Really easy to do. Put the new O rings on when you replace.
Then google the videos on removing the sensors and visually looking for the marking on the gears with the crank at 305 degrees. Really easy to do. Put the new O rings on when you replace.
07-18-2018, 08:02 PM
#511
Yeah I've been googling videos which have been getting me nervous. The mechanic said it's a 2k job but that he couldn't do it. It sounds like he low balled it. I guess I'll keep an eye on the CEL and go from there. It's driving better and the clicking noise has gone away.
07-18-2018, 09:06 PM
#512
Member
Yeah I've been googling videos which have been getting me nervous. The mechanic said it's a 2k job but that he couldn't do it. It sounds like he low balled it. I guess I'll keep an eye on the CEL and go from there. It's driving better and the clicking noise has gone away.
Good luck but Denial is not just a river in Africa.
07-18-2018, 09:45 PM
#513
07-18-2018, 09:48 PM
#514
The solenoids needed to be replaced anyways so good there. The camshaft sensor O rings should be replaced and will be part of your next step. Pick them up first.
Then google the videos on removing the sensors and visually looking for the marking on the gears with the crank at 305 degrees. Really easy to do. Put the new O rings on when you replace.
Then google the videos on removing the sensors and visually looking for the marking on the gears with the crank at 305 degrees. Really easy to do. Put the new O rings on when you replace.
07-18-2018, 10:17 PM
#515
Member
I paid 29k out the door but mine had 22k, that was 2009. I didnt have a choice NOT to fix it and no one but the dealer would
touch the repair. Its a real tough choice but I this model year also has known issues with the trans and the SBC braking
you might want to get rid of it with a loss, Again good luck but Ill tell you its the balance shaft that the issue, sensors going bad are rare
and an indy shop might do a horrible job, hell the place I went to do the trans control plant mess up the gasket and it leaked horrible, I ended
up get a new gasket and transfer pump and did it myself.
07-18-2018, 10:58 PM
#516
How many miles?, its hard choice whether to fix it or take a huge loss and sell it.
I paid 29k out the door but mine had 22k, that was 2009. I didnt have a choice NOT to fix it and no one but the dealer would
touch the repair. Its a real tough choice but I this model year also has known issues with the trans and the SBC braking
you might want to get rid of it with a loss, Again good luck but Ill tell you its the balance shaft that the issue, sensors going bad are rare
and an indy shop might do a horrible job, hell the place I went to do the trans control plant mess up the gasket and it leaked horrible, I ended
up get a new gasket and transfer pump and did it myself.
I paid 29k out the door but mine had 22k, that was 2009. I didnt have a choice NOT to fix it and no one but the dealer would
touch the repair. Its a real tough choice but I this model year also has known issues with the trans and the SBC braking
you might want to get rid of it with a loss, Again good luck but Ill tell you its the balance shaft that the issue, sensors going bad are rare
and an indy shop might do a horrible job, hell the place I went to do the trans control plant mess up the gasket and it leaked horrible, I ended
up get a new gasket and transfer pump and did it myself.
were you able to get any settlement money?
07-18-2018, 11:13 PM
#517
I just did this repair and mine was easier because it was a V8 and has a idler gear instead of balance shaft. Unless the mechanic has experience doing this do not take it to him. There are so many steps that could be screwed up that will show up months later.
It is is not a hard job. It’s just that nearly everything has to come off and put back together.
It is is not a hard job. It’s just that nearly everything has to come off and put back together.
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Shack1 (07-18-2018)
07-18-2018, 11:40 PM
#518
Member
occurred, although it was in Sept. of 2017 well beyond the statute of limitations of the tiered settlement.
07-18-2018, 11:47 PM
#519
you took it to the dealer i imagine?
07-19-2018, 12:12 AM
#521
Member
I just did this repair and mine was easier because it was a V8 and has a idler gear instead of balance shaft. Unless the mechanic has experience doing this do not take it to him. There are so many steps that could be screwed up that will show up months later.
It is is not a hard job. It’s just that nearly everything has to come off and put back together.
It is is not a hard job. It’s just that nearly everything has to come off and put back together.
07-19-2018, 11:56 AM
#522
So the check engine light just came back on. No surprise. I've called around and it looks the like the repairs are about $6k to either repair or just replace the engine outright. Which route do most people go? Just get a new car?
07-19-2018, 12:08 PM
#523
Out Of Control!!
07-19-2018, 12:09 PM
#524
Out Of Control!!
What can you buy for teh sell price of the car +$6K?
07-19-2018, 12:10 PM
#525
I had the it checked for oil leakage st the camshaft and there was nothing. I had it confirmed with the MB dealer that my balance shaft needs to be replaced. I brought up the class action and the service manager said I needed to speak with corporate.
I received a call today from corporate basically telling me my engine was not affected by the balance shaft issue and that they will not offer a good will repair on the balance shaft.
Any other suggestions that may get them to budge?
