The dreaded M272 Balance Shaft
Junior Member
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 70
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From: Boston
2006 C280 4Matic
Junior Member
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 53
Likes: 0
From: Washington DC
01 Nissan Maxima
You had better keep your fingers crossed, mine didn't have any signs until after the 100K extended warranty ran out.
Super Member
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 789
Likes: 47
From: Eastern Massachusetts
2021 E450, 2020 C43, 2015 C300, 2007 C280
The country matters
(If you would update your profile with your country, you would prevent this ambiguity about which units you mean.)
Junior Member
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 53
Likes: 0
From: Washington DC
01 Nissan Maxima
Do you mean "100k" KILOMETERS or "100k" MILES? If you mean 100k miles, that's a lot, and you had reason to believe that your extended warranty would protect you. If you mean 100k kilometers (62,500 miles), that's about right for the occurrence of this problem. Other posts have suggested that the problem typically occurs at about 60,000 to 80,000 miles.
(If you would update your profile with your country, you would prevent this ambiguity about which units you mean.)
(If you would update your profile with your country, you would prevent this ambiguity about which units you mean.)
My profile has been updated, thanks for the suggestion.
Super Member
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 789
Likes: 47
From: Eastern Massachusetts
2021 E450, 2020 C43, 2015 C300, 2007 C280
Mercedes quality
I meant 100K miles. I guess we differ on how long a brand new car should last. I would expect a 50 thousand dollar Mercedes should last much longer then 100K miles. Mine needed a new transmission at a little over 60K miles, and now the engine is shot at 137K miles. Mercedes should be ashamed at the quality and craftsmanship. My Son's 2001 Honda Civic now has over 250K miles without a hint of either engine or transmission failure.
Since I got a Mercedes, I have always cringed every time Consumer Reports comes out with their reliability ratings on automobile makes and models. Why, why can't Mercedes have almost all "much better than average" like Toyota and (yes) Honda? It's embarrassing!
Newbie
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
2006 CLK 350
Is my CLK 350 VIN: WDBTJ56J26F171215 affected? Thanks.
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Junior Member
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 22
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From: New Jersey, Massachusetts
1999 E320 4Matic Sedan
it could be the gear but your engine timing might just be off a tooth, does the vehicle ever run poorly on a cold start up, or if you've ever had the battery disconnected for a lil while ?
Out Of Control!!
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 15,901
Likes: 4,630
From: North Scottsdale, AZ
'71 Pinto
Is my CLK 350 VIN: WDBTJ56J26F171215 affected? Thanks.
Newbie
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 1
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2006 E350 4matic
I just registered to thank everybody for posting this info. Last week the P0016 code popped up when my check engine light came on. I found this forum by searching for the cause of the code. I cleared the code after I read it and hit the net to find an explanation. Seeing as the repair was above my pay grade I made an appointment at the local MB dealer. This is the first time I've taken a car in for service since 1975. Anyway my generic code reader cleared not only the code but the entire history in the ECU. Even though they informed me that the diagnostic read would run $105 they didn't charge me a dime and even offered to wash my car. The light came back on 5 days later so another appointment and trip to the dealer. This time I was informed that it was the balancer shaft issue and they would put together a price quote for me. I mentioned that since my last appointment I had researched the problem and that there were cases of MB paying for this. My service advisor said she could put together a price and submit it to the service manager who would forward it to MB and see what could be done. About two hours later she called to tell me that MB would cover all but $500 of the repair. While $500 doesn't fall out of the sky I was very pleased with the offer. It goes in Tuesday morning. Considering that I just purchased my 06 E350 with 80k three months ago from a used car lot I think this was exceptional service and I'm very pleased. There's no doubt that Bobby Rahal Mercedes in Wexford, PA will get more of my business.
Newbie
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 4
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2008 C300 Sport
Please check my VIN!
Hey guys, I just wanted to see if konigstiger can check my VIN and engine number. I recently got the P0015 and P0015(pd) code, even after changing all four cam sensors. Please help!
VIN: WDDGF54X18F066430
VIN: WDDGF54X18F066430
Newbie
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 4
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2008 C300 Sport
Thanks man! Unfortunately, after changing all four sensors, my CEL has still come on. My mechanic says that if that's the case, then the whole shaft has to be replaced. Since I'm not within the range of "faulty" engines, will it still be possible for me to get MBUSA to help me cover the costs? Does my engine even need to have the shaft replaced? Help!
Newbie
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
From: Freeport, NY
e63, c230
Konigstiger can you please check VIN #: WDBRF52H17E023630 and VIN #: WDBRF52HX7F924148 hopefully im in the clear...looking to change from the stated Sentra to MB if the news is good on either of these beauties.
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 284
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From: Los Angeles, CA
MB W212, MB W218, BMW F06, BMW F48
Fingers crossed. I hope not. Any thoughts or signs on bad balance shaft symptoms besides CEL codes? Just hit 96k miles on my E350 and shes my DD. My beloved E55 is my weekend warrior, so far so good.
Last edited by Hsg08; Jan 27, 2015 at 02:51 AM.
Out Of Control!!
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 15,901
Likes: 4,630
From: North Scottsdale, AZ
'71 Pinto
Konigstiger can you please check VIN #: WDBRF52H17E023630 and VIN #: WDBRF52HX7F924148 hopefully im in the clear...looking to change from the stated Sentra to MB if the news is good on either of these beauties.
Newbie
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
From: Freeport, NY
e63, c230
Thanks Konigstiger that's the one with more miles but anything to escape this issue. I notice that the affected car was made in Brazil 06/06 and unaffected car was made in Germany 02/07....is the common factor for affected vehicles the date (prior to 07) or is it the location it was made? Just wondering
Newbie
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 4
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2008 C300 Sport
Maybe I should break it down a little bit and give you guys the full story of what happened, and maybe you can offer some insight.
I brought the car to the mechanic after reading P0015 and P0015(pd) from my personal code reader. He told me that he needed to replace all four cam sensors in order to clear the code.
After 4 hours, I picked up the car, and he said "drive it about 80 miles before taking it to the smog check station, otherwise you won't pass." After a few more hours, the CEL came back on, and I brought the car back to my mechanic the next day.
He told me the code that his STAR system was reading was "0060," and that he'd replace the sensor it was assigned to, in case it was a faulty part. He told me if the check engine comes back on again, that I would probably have to replace the whole cam shaft. A few hours later, the CEL came back on again, and I attached my code reader, and it threw out P0015 and P0015(pd) once more. Does this mean I actually have to get the whole cam shaft replaced?
My mechanic told me I could bring the car back to him if the CEL was on, and get a refund. I'm thinking about getting a second opinion.
I brought the car to the mechanic after reading P0015 and P0015(pd) from my personal code reader. He told me that he needed to replace all four cam sensors in order to clear the code.
After 4 hours, I picked up the car, and he said "drive it about 80 miles before taking it to the smog check station, otherwise you won't pass." After a few more hours, the CEL came back on, and I brought the car back to my mechanic the next day.
He told me the code that his STAR system was reading was "0060," and that he'd replace the sensor it was assigned to, in case it was a faulty part. He told me if the check engine comes back on again, that I would probably have to replace the whole cam shaft. A few hours later, the CEL came back on again, and I attached my code reader, and it threw out P0015 and P0015(pd) once more. Does this mean I actually have to get the whole cam shaft replaced?
My mechanic told me I could bring the car back to him if the CEL was on, and get a refund. I'm thinking about getting a second opinion.
Last edited by DarwinPornel; Jan 27, 2015 at 01:54 PM.
Out Of Control!!
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 15,901
Likes: 4,630
From: North Scottsdale, AZ
'71 Pinto
P0015 = exhaust
P0022 = right intake
P0025 = exhaust
P0060 = malfunctioning solenoid
At this point MB DAS is best to pull codes.
Have original shop revisit or request second confirm current part # 2720510177 is installed correctly for all 4 locations & check balance shaft with you present, see here
Newbie
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
From: Freeport, NY
e63, c230
Forgive me for my ignorance on this issue Konigstiger but in an effort to make the best choice on these cars let me also ask this...the 630 VIN has 90,000 miles on it if this issue hasnt come up already is it still likely to be an issue moving forward. The unfortunate thing is that this is the better looking car and the better taken care of car as far as visual and car fax is concerned....test drive comes this weekend. The other has 101,000.
Out Of Control!!
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 15,901
Likes: 4,630
From: North Scottsdale, AZ
'71 Pinto
630, visit local MB dealer and request they review Vehicle Master Inquiry (VMI) with you to confirm if balance shaft was replaced. Dealer discretion, but you may find one who is cooperative. IMHO mileage or time elapsed is not a factor for problem to simply go away a defective part was installed at production and it will fail eventually (no one can predict when) this is this reason MB replaced it with modified version. Your call.
