Balance shaft codes @ 133k- Advice!!!
I had a check engine light come on a few weeks ago then went off the day after. Had the code checked today and it was 1200 & 1208, balance shaft related. Not what I expected. The light has not returned and engine sounds fine. Although I am confused, my engine was not in the range and I'm at 133k. So I thought at this point I was past the expected frame of failure. I was told to monitor and that the CEL may return and stay on.
What is damage will incur if I remain driving if the light were to return? Any feedback? Thanks |
Per listed VIN your car / engine is definitely in range. Unless you can do the repair yourself - drive it until it doesn’t drive anymore. Having the repair done by a shop or dealer equals or exceeds the value of the car. After that, depending on the overall condition of the car, you could consider finding a good used engine or scrapping it for parts. |
Originally Posted by kjb55
(Post 7470600)
Per listed VIN your car / engine is definitely in range. Unless you can do the repair yourself - drive it until it doesn’t drive anymore. Having the repair done by a shop or dealer equals or exceeds the value of the car. After that, depending on the overall condition of the car, you could consider finding a good used engine or scrapping it for parts. |
I think you’ll get that no problem. The dealer that helped me DIY mine said they know of an ML with 80k miles since the check engine light came on with balance shaft codes. |
It's a 2006 model. All 2006 were in the affected range. You could keep driving it like that til it won't start. I don't think you'll get 80k out of it, but reports from others seem to say that it's about a few thousand miles before it wouldn't start one day. The repair parts are somewhat reasonable, only a few hundred, it's the labor to remove the engine that's expensive.
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Might be time to punt.
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Weird part is that the light went away and has not retuned since. I guess the doomsday clock will start once the light has returned and won't go away. I thought about maybe getting it fixed but then it'll be the SBC pump. Gotta stop somewhere.
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Yeah, your best bet may be to trade it in now before it won't even run or before the light comes on permanently. I always see ads online from people trying to sell 2006 models with the light on and claiming that they don't know what it is and it's probably nothing when it's really something major like the balance shaft.
I think for 2007/2008 models, sometimes it's the sensors, but for a 2006, it's probably not that. There are youtube videos that will tell you how to check the status of the balance shafts. |
Originally Posted by cetialpha5
(Post 7472185)
Yeah, your best bet may be to trade it in now before it won't even run or before the light comes on permanently. I always see ads online from people trying to sell 2006 models with the light on and claiming that they don't know what it is and it's probably nothing when it's really something major like the balance shaft.
I think for 2007/2008 models, sometimes it's the sensors, but for a 2006, it's probably not that. There are youtube videos that will tell you how to check the status of the balance shafts. |
I doubt you'll get 80k out of it, most people on here seem to just get a few thousand before the car doesn't start anymore. But if it took 133k to go, maybe you'll get lucky, sometimes they went at 60-80k. Trade in is probably in the 4-5k range. I believe repair at the dealer is 5-7k, an indy maybe 3-5k, under $500 in parts if you can diy and remove the engine.
https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/mer...des-2720300613 |
Originally Posted by cetialpha5
(Post 7472593)
I doubt you'll get 80k out of it, most people on here seem to just get a few thousand before the car doesn't start anymore. But if it took 133k to go, maybe you'll get lucky, sometimes they went at 60-80k. Trade in is probably in the 4-5k range. I believe repair at the dealer is 5-7k, an indy maybe 3-5k, under $500 in parts if you can diy and remove the engine.
https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/mer...des-2720300613 |
There's no upper limit on the mileage. There are people who come here with 160k on it and it starts to go.
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So it seems the CEL is only coming on when the tank is below half. Once I refill to max, it goes away...How is this related to the balance shaft?
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It's a balance shaft after all. The sprockets wear away. Gas is about 6.3 pounds per gallon. With a 21 gallon tank, that brings you about a 66 pounds in additional weight in the rear to tip the engine one way. Did you scan it again to see if it's the same codes? Final verdict could be just a coincidence, after a half tank worth of mileage, it decides to come on.
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Originally Posted by cetialpha5
(Post 7483276)
It's a balance shaft after all. The sprockets wear away. Gas is about 6.3 pounds per gallon. With a 21 gallon tank, that brings you about a 66 pounds in additional weight in the rear to tip the engine one way. Did you scan it again to see if it's the same codes? Final verdict could be just a coincidence, after a half tank worth of mileage, it decides to come on.
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Originally Posted by Kushp14
(Post 7483309)
I am confused...can you explain?
Mike T. |
No way the two are related. |
Originally Posted by kjb55
(Post 7483587)
No way the two are related. |
So I have driven 3k since the diagnosis of the balance shaft. CEL still comes on then disappears, still drives fine no noises or noticeable changes.
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Unless the CEL will mess with emissions testing (if you need it in your area), drive it until you can't. My local dealer has an customer with an ML350 that has been driving it with similar results that you're having (occasional CEL, etc.), but drives fine, for an absurd amount of miles. >60 or 80k if I remember correctly.
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The timing chain is hardened steel and is eating away at the gear on V8 engines and balance shaft on V6’s. It is is a matter of time. The gears are not hardened. |
144k...Still going.
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Originally Posted by Kushp14
(Post 7483170)
So it seems the CEL is only coming on when the tank is below half. Once I refill to max, it goes away...How is this related to the balance shaft?
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Originally Posted by Henry Le
(Post 7667937)
mine 2006 do the same, fill up the gas and CEL went off. p0016 and p0017 code.
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Originally Posted by Kushp14
(Post 7668050)
How long(miles) has this been occurring? |
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