balance shaft issue
Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 744
Likes: 144
From: Bay Area
W218 Stage 2, E85
balance shaft issue
So I've recently been blessed with the Check Engine light and it is the infamous balance shaft problem lol I'm told that there is a slight timing difference in the balance shaft.
Whoever had this issue earlier and got it resolved, what and how was your driving experience compromised? Because I don't feel any difference in driving, it drives the same as it did before. Although I posted a month or two back about a noise from the engine compartment when I floor the paddle, that noise was from the balance shaft. Besides that noise, which only occurs if I floor it and noise comes alive for like first 1-2 seconds while the gears are trying to downshift and when the gear is engaged it goes away, I don't experience any other issue.
However, the noise had been there for a bit, when I don't floor it there is no noise at all. The Check Engine light and the codes came up just recently.
I'm curious about this if it would wear out any parts? Because there's a slight delay in the balance shaft but runs still very smooth as usual. No other differences. The big question: wonder if I can keep driving like this and not encounter any other issues? I have yet to speak with a mechanic tomorrow and see what he has to say.
Because I don't want to spend 2-3k for the repair and don't want to sell it either after all the work and $$ I spent on wheels/lowering/AMG bumper.
Another question: did anyone, or know, this job is DIY? Not me, but a friend of mine owns a smog shop and runs all different sorts of repairs. Just curious if anyone had done it themselves?
Whoever had this issue earlier and got it resolved, what and how was your driving experience compromised? Because I don't feel any difference in driving, it drives the same as it did before. Although I posted a month or two back about a noise from the engine compartment when I floor the paddle, that noise was from the balance shaft. Besides that noise, which only occurs if I floor it and noise comes alive for like first 1-2 seconds while the gears are trying to downshift and when the gear is engaged it goes away, I don't experience any other issue.
However, the noise had been there for a bit, when I don't floor it there is no noise at all. The Check Engine light and the codes came up just recently.
I'm curious about this if it would wear out any parts? Because there's a slight delay in the balance shaft but runs still very smooth as usual. No other differences. The big question: wonder if I can keep driving like this and not encounter any other issues? I have yet to speak with a mechanic tomorrow and see what he has to say.
Because I don't want to spend 2-3k for the repair and don't want to sell it either after all the work and $$ I spent on wheels/lowering/AMG bumper.
Another question: did anyone, or know, this job is DIY? Not me, but a friend of mine owns a smog shop and runs all different sorts of repairs. Just curious if anyone had done it themselves?
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Joined: Jun 2005
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From: Chicago
2025 AMG E 53; 2018 GLC300 4Matic; 2003 360 Modena
I know of one W211 driving around with 100,000 miles since the check engine light appeared / confirmed balance shaft failure. Depending on how many miles you have, plus the condition of the car - maybe that is the way to go - just keep driving it. The metal bits from the wearing BS gear do make their way into the oil - I don't believe anyone has ever reported engine failure from those bits.
Several people have done them as DIY - you can search and find them. I didn't save the link(s). I have done it on a 211.056 (RWD '06).
Several people have done them as DIY - you can search and find them. I didn't save the link(s). I have done it on a 211.056 (RWD '06).
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Joined: Feb 2014
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From: MA
2008 E350 4Matic, 2011 E350 4matic
You can buy the kit from FCP Euro for about $368, but the real cost is in the labor. You have to take the engine out in order to get at the parts that need to be replaced. As for driving it as is, I believe others have reported that they could drive it around for a couple thousand miles and then one day it just won't start. Some cars are listed like that on dealer lots and private sales. It's funny when they pretend they don't know what's wrong or pretend it must be something simple, they just say won't start, CEL on, not sure what's wrong, probably a simple fix.
https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/mer...des-2720300613
https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/mer...des-2720300613
Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 744
Likes: 144
From: Bay Area
W218 Stage 2, E85
Hmm, now reading both of your guys' response worries me even more lol
The noise was there before I got the Code. So I must've driven, probably around, idk, 2-4k miles? A friend of mine who does repairs on cars said dealers charge around 5k and indy shops do it for 1/2 that. He said if you don't want to go to them, he can do it but he needs some source on how to do it. Like a tutorial or something because I don't think he had done this big job before. He also said it's about 25-30 hour job, per dealers. I'll be going over with a helping hand while he does the most work.
The reason I was wondering if I can keep driving with the light on was because I haven't come across any type of issue except the noise. Which only occurs while the gear is downshifting and is trying to find the gear it needs to switch to.
I am looking for DIY links and haven't found much of helpful links.
Also, would the class action filed against MB work now? lol, They stated MB would pay up to 70% for balance shaft replacement. If the friend of mine won't be able to do it, I would have to take it to an indy shop.
Does this problem resolves after the replacement of all those parts that come with the kit? I hope it doesn't come back.
The noise was there before I got the Code. So I must've driven, probably around, idk, 2-4k miles? A friend of mine who does repairs on cars said dealers charge around 5k and indy shops do it for 1/2 that. He said if you don't want to go to them, he can do it but he needs some source on how to do it. Like a tutorial or something because I don't think he had done this big job before. He also said it's about 25-30 hour job, per dealers. I'll be going over with a helping hand while he does the most work.
The reason I was wondering if I can keep driving with the light on was because I haven't come across any type of issue except the noise. Which only occurs while the gear is downshifting and is trying to find the gear it needs to switch to.
I am looking for DIY links and haven't found much of helpful links.
Also, would the class action filed against MB work now? lol, They stated MB would pay up to 70% for balance shaft replacement. If the friend of mine won't be able to do it, I would have to take it to an indy shop.
Does this problem resolves after the replacement of all those parts that come with the kit? I hope it doesn't come back.
Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 744
Likes: 144
From: Bay Area
W218 Stage 2, E85
Also, I've read on few sites that if this issue doesn't get fixed, engine misfire is on its way and the car might completely stop running :/ Basically can't ignore this. lol fk.
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Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 6,190
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From: MA
2008 E350 4Matic, 2011 E350 4matic
There's actually some pretty long videos on youtube on how to replace the balance shaft.
As for driving it, I think people mentioned that they were able to drive it a few thousand miles when the cel light went on before it didn't start. I believe the class action is also over, you had to file within a certain time frame and you're past that. The original balance shaft was defective and an updated part replaces it. That's why the later 2007+ to 2011 don't have an issue, just the early M272 engines. So you'll be fine after it's replaced. Assuming that it's put back together correctly, yanking the engine involves taking out a lot of items.
As for driving it, I think people mentioned that they were able to drive it a few thousand miles when the cel light went on before it didn't start. I believe the class action is also over, you had to file within a certain time frame and you're past that. The original balance shaft was defective and an updated part replaces it. That's why the later 2007+ to 2011 don't have an issue, just the early M272 engines. So you'll be fine after it's replaced. Assuming that it's put back together correctly, yanking the engine involves taking out a lot of items.
Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 744
Likes: 144
From: Bay Area
W218 Stage 2, E85
There's actually some pretty long videos on youtube on how to replace the balance shaft.
As for driving it, I think people mentioned that they were able to drive it a few thousand miles when the cel light went on before it didn't start. I believe the class action is also over, you had to file within a certain time frame and you're past that. The original balance shaft was defective and an updated part replaces it. That's why the later 2007+ to 2011 don't have an issue, just the early M272 engines. So you'll be fine after it's replaced. Assuming that it's put back together correctly, yanking the engine involves taking out a lot of items.
As for driving it, I think people mentioned that they were able to drive it a few thousand miles when the cel light went on before it didn't start. I believe the class action is also over, you had to file within a certain time frame and you're past that. The original balance shaft was defective and an updated part replaces it. That's why the later 2007+ to 2011 don't have an issue, just the early M272 engines. So you'll be fine after it's replaced. Assuming that it's put back together correctly, yanking the engine involves taking out a lot of items.
Yea I've looked at a few and gonna have a talk with my friend if he can do it. And thanks for pointing out the kit on FCP, idk where I looked it was almost $800 whereas fcp has it for $368.
Wish I knew more about cars when I bought this lol i started to regret buying the 06 year rather than facelift. I was more of a school and work person and recently picked up my passion for cars.
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