Update - ML Won’t Turn Over By Hand Help
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Junior Member
Joined: Jul 2023
Posts: 17
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ml350 bluetec
Update - ML Won’t Turn Over By Hand Help
I have a previous thread describing my current issue with my w166
I was driving at highway speeds when all of a sudden the car threw all lights on dash and I was not able to accelerate anymore.
we tried to put a new battery, tested alternator, and looked at all fuses and nothing is wrong.
my dad then tried to crank the engine by hand using a brace bar and a socket and wasn’t able to get it to budge.
he then tried my gle350d which is in the same shop waiting for body parts - and it turned over no issue with same method
I have read online that you may need to remove glow plugs and serpentine belt as well as try to crank it while the car is in Neutral?
My dad is saying the engine is toast but I find it hard to believe that it’s seized with how quietly It shut down when it all happened. There was no loud thuds or noises you’d typically hear when a engine grenades itself.
I had a ongoing oil leak / burning of oil and the dipstick was just under minimum but I wasn’t pushing the car hard or anything , and have driven it at this level for longer distances before with no issues.
ANY Knowledge or info that may be helpful is appreciated, really just want to try every option to turn it over by hand before calling it quits without knowing 100% that we tried everything. Thanks In advanced
I was driving at highway speeds when all of a sudden the car threw all lights on dash and I was not able to accelerate anymore.
we tried to put a new battery, tested alternator, and looked at all fuses and nothing is wrong.
my dad then tried to crank the engine by hand using a brace bar and a socket and wasn’t able to get it to budge.
he then tried my gle350d which is in the same shop waiting for body parts - and it turned over no issue with same method
I have read online that you may need to remove glow plugs and serpentine belt as well as try to crank it while the car is in Neutral?
My dad is saying the engine is toast but I find it hard to believe that it’s seized with how quietly It shut down when it all happened. There was no loud thuds or noises you’d typically hear when a engine grenades itself.
I had a ongoing oil leak / burning of oil and the dipstick was just under minimum but I wasn’t pushing the car hard or anything , and have driven it at this level for longer distances before with no issues.
ANY Knowledge or info that may be helpful is appreciated, really just want to try every option to turn it over by hand before calling it quits without knowing 100% that we tried everything. Thanks In advanced
Last edited by w166man; Aug 24, 2025 at 03:16 PM.
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Joined: Sep 2025
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w211 e 350 m272 2007
I had the exact same issue with my M276DE35NA W166 2015. I replaced and indexed it with new plugs and coil packs, but the misfire persisted. I also recommend scanning the car through the OBD2 port and checking Your valve cover—I found a broken spring and a seized follower. As a result, it also dropped a valve. Broken springs are a somewhat known problem. At around 105,000 miles, mine blew the head gasket, and the piston rings seized on Bank B, specifically in cylinders 5 and 6. I have pictures and encountered a similar problem. I could be wrong or completely off, so take this with a grain of salt. I hope this helps! If you need more info, feel free to PM me. I also couldn’t turn my crankshaft pulley by hand, even with a breaker bar. I don’t think it’s possible to check compression or perform a leak down test at this point. Wishing you the best with your situation—I feel for you, mate. (All this happened after the car stalled and got towed in.) EDIT; just saw it was diesel. my apologies
Last edited by Nuni; Sep 18, 2025 at 08:08 PM.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Jul 2023
Posts: 17
Likes: 1
ml350 bluetec
I had the exact same issue with my M276DE35NA W166 2015. I replaced and indexed it with new plugs and coil packs, but the misfire persisted. I also recommend scanning the car through the OBD2 port and checking Your valve cover—I found a broken spring and a seized follower. As a result, it also dropped a valve. Broken springs are a somewhat known problem. At around 105,000 miles, mine blew the head gasket, and the piston rings seized on Bank B, specifically in cylinders 5 and 6. I have pictures and encountered a similar problem. I could be wrong or completely off, so take this with a grain of salt. I hope this helps! If you need more info, feel free to PM me. I also couldn’t turn my crankshaft pulley by hand, even with a breaker bar. I don’t think it’s possible to check compression or perform a leak down test at this point. Wishing you the best with your situation—I feel for you, mate. (All this happened after the car stalled and got towed in.) EDIT; just saw it was diesel. my apologies
I have a replacement 2016 gle350d I got from auction just waiting on body parts… but I’d love to still be able to revive my high mileage baby if I can.
I will update you and this thread once I start taking apart the engine and can see what exactly happened for this type of failure.
take care thank you again
