Balance Shaft
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Newbie
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 12
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From: Virginia Beach
98 E300 Diesel 04 SLK 230
Balance Shaft
Hello All,
I know you all are probably tired of this subject. I've owned Mercedes for years and for some reason this topic completely passed my by.. I have a 06' E350 4matic that just hit 100,000K and guess what... It threw the dreaded code.. I was never contacted by the law firm that represented "us" in the case against Mercedes.. so I am out of luck...The car is running perfectly....Is there a chance that the senor is bad?? The dealer has quoted me $7500 to do the job..I think that they don't really want to do the job so they jacked up the price to drive me away...lets face it...That's about what it's worth.. Does anyone know how long I have before the problem gets worse..and when it does...is it like having a timing belt on other cars that if it breaks ..boom...the engine is shot..
I know you all are probably tired of this subject. I've owned Mercedes for years and for some reason this topic completely passed my by.. I have a 06' E350 4matic that just hit 100,000K and guess what... It threw the dreaded code.. I was never contacted by the law firm that represented "us" in the case against Mercedes.. so I am out of luck...The car is running perfectly....Is there a chance that the senor is bad?? The dealer has quoted me $7500 to do the job..I think that they don't really want to do the job so they jacked up the price to drive me away...lets face it...That's about what it's worth.. Does anyone know how long I have before the problem gets worse..and when it does...is it like having a timing belt on other cars that if it breaks ..boom...the engine is shot..
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 366
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From: Bandon, Or.
2013 E550 Sedan
I owned a 2007 E350 that was outside of the affected range. I had a few camshaft position sensor magnet retarded left bank CEL. IIRC. They would clear after a few starts. Could this be your case?
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Joined: Apr 2015
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From: dmv
2009 E550 2000 Honda civic mash n' go
repair goes for about that price. its like 40 hours of labor and is very tedious. if you have 1200 or 1208 fault codes you need a balance shaft. no way around it....
when problem gets worse engine running issues become apparent and your fuel mileage depletes dramatically
when problem gets worse engine running issues become apparent and your fuel mileage depletes dramatically
Newbie
Joined: Mar 2017
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2006 E350 3.5l
I am paying $4,200 today for an engine replacement. Mechanic sourced 4 engines and 1 of those engines are out of the serial number range. Meaning, the balance shaft is not an issue on this particular engine. I think this is my best option. Can anybody give me any advice?
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Joined: Feb 2017
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From: DMV
'07 E350 4matic Sedan
I am paying $4,200 today for an engine replacement. Mechanic sourced 4 engines and 1 of those engines are out of the serial number range. Meaning, the balance shaft is not an issue on this particular engine. I think this is my best option. Can anybody give me any advice?
I think you have several factors to consider-
1. How much $ total would the repair of your old engine cost (all parts + all labor)
2. How much $ total would the donor engine install cost (all parts + all labor)
Considering that the engine has to come outside for repair either way I would say go with the lower cost/lower mileage option.
Another factor to consider is whether the old engine suffered any damage due to the balance shaft issue (in which case another engine would be a better option).
Unfortunately I do not have any more insight into the issue, hope someone else can help.
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Newbie
Joined: Mar 2017
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2006 E350 3.5l
Can you be a bit more specific? How many miles is the donor engine? Is that price just for the engine or engine and all associated labor (4k is way to expensive for just the engine). Is it RWD or 4-matic?
I think you have several factors to consider-
1. How much $ total would the repair of your old engine cost (all parts + all labor)
2. How much $ total would the donor engine install cost (all parts + all labor)
Considering that the engine has to come outside for repair either way I would say go with the lower cost/lower mileage option.
Another factor to consider is whether the old engine suffered any damage due to the balance shaft issue (in which case another engine would be a better option).
Unfortunately I do not have any more insight into the issue, hope someone else can help.
I think you have several factors to consider-
1. How much $ total would the repair of your old engine cost (all parts + all labor)
2. How much $ total would the donor engine install cost (all parts + all labor)
Considering that the engine has to come outside for repair either way I would say go with the lower cost/lower mileage option.
Another factor to consider is whether the old engine suffered any damage due to the balance shaft issue (in which case another engine would be a better option).
Unfortunately I do not have any more insight into the issue, hope someone else can help.
I have contacted multiple auto repair shops and have been quoted $4,500, $5,000, & and another directed me straight to mercedes benz.
One repair shop, the route I think I'm going to take, suggested finding a replacement engine with a serial number not in the effected range and replace it with said engine. Because the engine would have to come out regardless for the repair. This engine replacement will be $4,200. ($3,000 for the engine and $1,200 in labor)
Donor engine 86k miles. My vehicle has 81k on the odometer.
Junior Member
Joined: Feb 2017
Posts: 49
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From: DMV
'07 E350 4matic Sedan
I see, so it is mostly a matter of saving money in this situation.
Maybe ask them if you can source the engine and look for it yourself - just a cursory engine search on ebay shows one RWD engine on 80k miles for $2000. Another 121k 4-matic engine at $1500. You can also call the local salvage yards around your location and ask them if they have one for sale. I never take my mechanic's word on part costs, since they always look to make a profit out of it.
Maybe ask them if you can source the engine and look for it yourself - just a cursory engine search on ebay shows one RWD engine on 80k miles for $2000. Another 121k 4-matic engine at $1500. You can also call the local salvage yards around your location and ask them if they have one for sale. I never take my mechanic's word on part costs, since they always look to make a profit out of it.
Newbie
Joined: Jun 2015
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From: Jessup, Md
2008 R 350,2007 Lincoln Navigator, 2000 VW passat
Definitely consider repairing the balance shaft if your engine has been well maintained and if you caught the problem early enough.Also take your time and do research before deciding on a shop. I just had my balance shaft replaced by an indy and it took me about a month to find a shop I had confidence in. Also profited the oppurtunity to do other repairs as the engine was out. I did have the benefit of having a warranty so they picked the majority of the tab.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Feb 2014
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From: MA
2008 E350 4Matic, 2011 E350 4matic
Why not just get a price for the balance shaft repair? I believe the parts are only a few hundred dollars. The reason for the big price at the dealer is mostly labor for removing the engine and putting it back in. There are some old threads where people got it done at an indy for 3k. I think the newer the car, the more they feel they can charge you. $1200 is a pretty good price for a removal and replacement charge.
Newbie
Joined: Mar 2017
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2006 E350 3.5l
As previously stated I contacted repair shops regarding the repair. I even ordered the repair kit. But that route is minimum $4,500.
Paying $4,200 for an engine replacement. I put a deposit of $3000 today. The shop is ordering the engine from LKQ. They said it will take 3 days for replacement.
Paying $4,200 for an engine replacement. I put a deposit of $3000 today. The shop is ordering the engine from LKQ. They said it will take 3 days for replacement.
Super Member
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 917
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From: NOVA/DC
20' RCF, 18' NX, 09' E350, 07' Solara, 05' STi, 01' Ranger
^
I don't want to be that guy but what is the car worth? KBB lists it at roughly 5-6k, so spending more than 75% the value of the car for a major repair seems extremely silly to me...? Am I missing something?
Why not dump the car and put that money towards another used car?
-Nigel
I don't want to be that guy but what is the car worth? KBB lists it at roughly 5-6k, so spending more than 75% the value of the car for a major repair seems extremely silly to me...? Am I missing something?
Why not dump the car and put that money towards another used car?
-Nigel
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Joined: Jun 2005
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From: Chicago
2025 AMG E 53; 2018 GLC300 4Matic; 2003 360 Modena
This left off with it either being balance shaft or chain. Did you confirm 1200 and 1208 codes?
im with you on repairing what you have - because you know what you have and with this behind you, you can get a lot of life from the car yet.
I would just confirm that codes 1200 and 1208 are / were present.
im with you on repairing what you have - because you know what you have and with this behind you, you can get a lot of life from the car yet.
I would just confirm that codes 1200 and 1208 are / were present.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Aug 2012
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From: Florida
Too many german broads
As previously stated I contacted repair shops regarding the repair. I even ordered the repair kit. But that route is minimum $4,500.
Paying $4,200 for an engine replacement. I put a deposit of $3000 today. The shop is ordering the engine from LKQ. They said it will take 3 days for replacement.
Paying $4,200 for an engine replacement. I put a deposit of $3000 today. The shop is ordering the engine from LKQ. They said it will take 3 days for replacement.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Apr 2015
Posts: 1,486
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From: dmv
2009 E550 2000 Honda civic mash n' go
this is new to me. replacing a engine with a known defect, that can be repaired, with another used engine with unknown issues/concerns. Interesting. tryna sell your old engien?
Newbie
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2006 E350 3.5l
The engine we sourced turned out to be for a 4MATIC. SO we(the auto shop) have continued on with the actual balance shaft replacement instead of replacing the engine. I actually stopped by today at a good moment and got to see big chunks of the balance shaft teeth in the oil pan before they even had a chance to remove them. They looked like little shark teeth. They are on day 3 of the repair. I took some pics(see below).
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From: dmv
2009 E550 2000 Honda civic mash n' go
no engine stand or did i just see a engine upside down on the vehicles oil pan?
hope that pan isn't damaged/bent (unless you are replacing it which most do)!!!!! But ya for doing the repair, now at least you know what you are working with instead of a used one that has been sitting in a junkyard.
hope that pan isn't damaged/bent (unless you are replacing it which most do)!!!!! But ya for doing the repair, now at least you know what you are working with instead of a used one that has been sitting in a junkyard.
Newbie
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 6
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2006 E350 3.5l
no engine stand or did i just see a engine upside down on the vehicles oil pan?
hope that pan isn't damaged/bent (unless you are replacing it which most do)!!!!! But ya for doing the repair, now at least you know what you are working with instead of a used one that has been sitting in a junkyard.
hope that pan isn't damaged/bent (unless you are replacing it which most do)!!!!! But ya for doing the repair, now at least you know what you are working with instead of a used one that has been sitting in a junkyard.
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Joined: Apr 2015
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From: dmv
2009 E550 2000 Honda civic mash n' go
FWIW I would tell whomever is doing repair to install front cover with engine upside down so they arent fighting with gravity. Make sure they use a feeler guage to seat cylinder head gaskets and or so they don't damage cylinder head gaskets.
