Balance shaft codes @ 133k- Advice!!!
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Too many german broads
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
What is damage will incur if I remain driving if the light were to return?
Any feedback? Thanks
Last edited by OnlyGerman; Jun 19, 2018 at 07:12 PM.
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2025 AMG E 53; 2018 GLC300 4Matic; 2003 360 Modena
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.
Thread Starter
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From: Florida
Too many german broads
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.
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2025 AMG E 53; 2018 GLC300 4Matic; 2003 360 Modena
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.
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2008 E350 4Matic, 2011 E350 4matic
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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Too many german broads
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.
Last edited by OnlyGerman; Jun 5, 2018 at 10:04 PM.
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MBWorld Fanatic!
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From: MA
2008 E350 4Matic, 2011 E350 4matic
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 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.
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Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 1,047
Likes: 174
From: Florida
Too many german broads
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 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.
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From: MA
2008 E350 4Matic, 2011 E350 4matic
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
https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/mer...des-2720300613
Thread Starter
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From: Florida
Too many german broads
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
https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/mer...des-2720300613
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From: MA
2008 E350 4Matic, 2011 E350 4matic
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.
Thread Starter
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From: Florida
Too many german broads
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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From: The Villages, Florida
2006 E320 CDI
I think what he is trying to say is to test your theory, when the tank is below half full, clear the codes, put a couple of adults in the back seat, and see if the CEL comes back on. Again, he is saying that with the additional weight of the gas in the tank, it may be enough to "lean" or tilt the car enough that the engine also tilts or leans and you do not get the codes.
Mike T.
Mike T.
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2025 AMG E 53; 2018 GLC300 4Matic; 2003 360 Modena
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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2006 E350
