R350 counter balance shaft sprocket defects
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Jun 2021
Posts: 22
Likes: 1
Mercedes r350
R350 counter balance shaft sprocket defects
Is anybody familiar with this manufacturing defect in all the 2004 to 2008 v6 engines, where Mercedes made these shafts of a weaker metal that gets warned out by the timing chain. This causes the check engine light to come on.
How many miles can u get out of it, after this happens, this is about a 6k fix by Mercedes
any ideas of a cheaper fix, the price of used engines on e bay are ridiculous and they still have the same issue.
Appreciate feedback
How many miles can u get out of it, after this happens, this is about a 6k fix by Mercedes
any ideas of a cheaper fix, the price of used engines on e bay are ridiculous and they still have the same issue.
Appreciate feedback
Super Member
Joined: Nov 2017
Posts: 558
Likes: 114
From: San Francisco Bay Area
2006 R500
3.5 L M272 engines are about 1.5-2k on ebay, you would just have to find one pulled from an 08 or newer vehicle.
Alternatively, you can swap in a 5.5 L M273 engine as long as you get the complete harness with it. After that it's just a matter of coding the ECU with Xentry (find an indie mechanic familiar with Mercedes to do this) and swapping all the accessories and oil pan over. These run anywhere from 1.2-3k on ebay. Once again, make sure it is an 08 or newer or have the idler sprocket and cam plug replaced while the engine is out of the car.
Alternatively, you can swap in a 5.5 L M273 engine as long as you get the complete harness with it. After that it's just a matter of coding the ECU with Xentry (find an indie mechanic familiar with Mercedes to do this) and swapping all the accessories and oil pan over. These run anywhere from 1.2-3k on ebay. Once again, make sure it is an 08 or newer or have the idler sprocket and cam plug replaced while the engine is out of the car.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Jun 2021
Posts: 22
Likes: 1
Mercedes r350
Is this the same engine as the w251, which the r350 has?
3.5 L M272 engines are about 1.5-2k on ebay, you would just have to find one pulled from an 08 or newer vehicle.
Alternatively, you can swap in a 5.5 L M273 engine as long as you get the complete harness with it. After that it's just a matter of coding the ECU with Xentry (find an indie mechanic familiar with Mercedes to do this) and swapping all the accessories and oil pan over. These run anywhere from 1.2-3k on ebay. Once again, make sure it is an 08 or newer or have the idler sprocket and cam plug replaced while the engine is out of the car.
Alternatively, you can swap in a 5.5 L M273 engine as long as you get the complete harness with it. After that it's just a matter of coding the ECU with Xentry (find an indie mechanic familiar with Mercedes to do this) and swapping all the accessories and oil pan over. These run anywhere from 1.2-3k on ebay. Once again, make sure it is an 08 or newer or have the idler sprocket and cam plug replaced while the engine is out of the car.
Super Member
Joined: Nov 2017
Posts: 558
Likes: 114
From: San Francisco Bay Area
2006 R500
