2006 E350 Basic Sedan. No 4Matic, and conventional suspension.
I tested and my local indy just confirmed, we need to replace the balance shaft. Cams are out of timing.
I don't mind spending money on cars. I do almost all my own repairs, but I don't have the setup or time to tackle this one now. Basically $5,000 to do properly.
Car has 135kmi. on it. Very clean, no accidents, and I have maintained the heck out of it since I purchased it a year and a half ago for our daughter to drive. Oh, and I bought it from a friend for $4,500, which was more than she was going to get for it on trade in. So a reasonable basis in it.
Recent work (by me)
New aux and main batteries
New suspension: balljoints, control arms, thrust arms, struts all the way around, tie rod ends - Its got conventional suspension !!! Yeah for that, but only purchase because of that
New thermostat
New serpentine belt, idlers and tensioner
New coolant reservoir and hoses
New transmission mount
Replaced the oil cooler seal
New brakes
New wiper fluid reservoir, pump and grommets
Before I bought it MB did:
Intake manifold
ABS module
So, if I have this repair done, what other big ticket items might spring up? Can I get another 75k miles out of it without another big gotcha? No guarantees obviously, but, I am still learning this model, and I thought I had all the big issues dealt with.
I don't necessarily want to go find another car for $6-8k and start all over base-lining the maintenance.
Sorry to hear the news on an otherwise well maintained car worth keeping. Other thoughts are a replacement engine rather than fix or save some labor money and yank the engine and get to point of swapping the balance shaft. You mentioned you DIY, being a non-4MATIC, it’s an easy pull and stripping the easy stuff could save a lot of hours. Maybe the tech can then step in to swap the balance shaft?
I don't have time to tie into this myself. Trying to deal with other business issues at hand.
I think we bite the bullet and repair the engine we know the history of. That said we will also do a few other items "while we are in there", including:
New timing chain, and chain ramps
New motor mounts
New water pump
There is a kit that MB has for the balance shaft procedure, part #2720300613, which can be seen here: Balance Shaft Kit
Any other items I should be aware of while it's apart to this stage?
With those additional items and all that you've done - I'd say its a pretty complete list. The kit you listed is what I bought when I did mine - it is complete as you'd expect from MB. The only parts I didn't use are the exhaust manifold gaskets as I disconnected the exhausts at the cats.
There must have been a water pump design change with maybe a VIN break. Easier to have one balance shaft kit with two water pump gaskets than two balance shaft kits. The oil filters are per the WIS instructions. The recommendation is to use one of the oil filters upon reassembly and startup. Run the engine to check for leaks, running condition, etc. Then change the oil again - using the 2nd filter. Although normally MB advises the suction method - I believe the WIS states to drain it in case there are remnants from the work too big for the suction tube. Next oil change at normal interval.
I'm sure. My buddy's shop is doing the work. I'm letting him source parts. He does a great job and I'm paying him for the work.
Thanks !
Basically those 3rd party sellers have to buy their parts from an MB dealer and then mark up the price after getting a slight discount from the MB dealer, it's why it's basically at list price. For OEM parts, it's always cheaper just to go directly to the MB dealer that discount parts like the one I mentioned above.
As for rebuilding it, you're one of the few that are actually doing it. Usually the cost like that 5k isn't worth it. It's not that much more to get a 2008 or 2009 model which doesn't have the problem. Still you did fix a lot of problems like the intake, but you still have the old fuel tank which is only covered for 15 years and it sounds like it's probably either already up or expired. The repair is really only worth it if you can DIY it. For 5k, I'd at least skip to a 2012-2014 model which skips the M272 engine.
He will source some part directly from MB and others from his suppliers. We have already discussed.
With this car throwing CEL constantly, no way am I getting much money for it. Even if I sold it and took those proceeds plus cash, I'm not going to have a car as well maintained as this one without spending a whole lot more money. No way to find a 2012-2014 model car for that money.
There is no easy or obvious answer to dealing with this. Yes I will spend the greater propensity of the street value of this car to fix it, but I cannot easily buy another car in the same mechanical shape for the same cash outlay. My 17 y/o daughter is driving it. And likely our 14 y/o son later.
Just drive the car until it dies. It will be a $1000 car by then and it won't die because of the balance shaft. Find someone with an SDS and turn off the check engine light. There are plenty of other things in life more important than that balance shaft.
Thanks for the follow up and pictures. I’m on your side with fixing it. Misery loves company as they say. Knowing my kids/family/friend might want my car in the future put me in a similar position.
The picture of the gear is a clear showing of how soft the gear is and how the chain eats into it. Good luck with the rest of the repair.
Fortunately my daughter is well trained that we honor the CEL and notify our first-line mechanic (dad), asap.
My buddy said it's a good thing we stopped driving it when we did. It just gets worse, and more expensive from here.
EDIT: Webphoto comparison of worn versus new.....You can see our sprocket is not far different from the worn one in the photo
Our repair plan is still intact.
I'm not a fan of scrapping good cars.
agreed. I always go back to - what’s it compared to a new car payment? Yeah you may spend $5k, but everything else seems like you’ve covered...I doubt you’ll have almost any costs now aside from oil changes and tires for next 2-5 years.
Hello - Sorry to hear you have the same problem as I do. My 06 E350AWD also has the Balance shaft CEL. I took it to my dealer and they tested it and gave me a report. I talked to the Service Writer and one of the parts guys I have know for quite a while. Both told stories like this: They knew some people with same problem had their engine repaired and afterward could not tell any difference except for the CEL being off. They also said some owners did not get the repairs and so far so good. I know this doesn't say much but just wanted to mention their experiences.
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