S-Class (W221) 2007-2013: S 320 CDI, S 350, S 450, S 500, S 550, S 420 CDI, S 600

07, S550 affected by defective Balance Shaft Gear?

Old Jan 7, 2013 | 05:45 PM
  #1  
MagCL's Avatar
Thread Starter
Member
 
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 109
Likes: 0
From: Toronto
CL55, S550, 450SL
07, S550 affected by defective Balance Shaft Gear?

Can anyone tell me if my 07, S550 has the defective balance shaft gear?? I called Mercedes and they wouldn't tell me. My engine serial is 273 961 30 129 250. Thanks.
Reply
Old Jan 7, 2013 | 07:17 PM
  #2  
konigstiger's Avatar
Out Of Control!!
 
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 15,901
Likes: 4,632
From: North Scottsdale, AZ
'71 Pinto
Affected range up to 30 088611, you're fine.
Reply
Old Jan 8, 2013 | 06:58 PM
  #3  
MagCL's Avatar
Thread Starter
Member
 
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 109
Likes: 0
From: Toronto
CL55, S550, 450SL
Thank you.
Reply
Old Jan 8, 2013 | 07:27 PM
  #4  
carboxy's Avatar
Senior Member
 
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 250
Likes: 0
From: Florida
07' 911 Turbo, 09 ML63
What's the symptoms
Reply
Old Jan 9, 2013 | 09:10 PM
  #5  
MagCL's Avatar
Thread Starter
Member
 
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 109
Likes: 0
From: Toronto
CL55, S550, 450SL
I'm not sure of the symptoms.

I brought my car in to get the conductor plate replaced and noticed two cars like mine with their engines all in pieces. When I asked why, the mechanic told me that many of the 273 engines have a defective balance shaft gear which requires opening up the engine to fix. A very expensive repair for another defective MB part!!!

Check your engines serial number, konigstiger has stated up to which #'s were affected.

Just hope yours doesn't have it.
Reply
Old Jan 10, 2013 | 11:45 PM
  #6  
walt2810's Avatar
Member
 
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 177
Likes: 0
From: SoCal
07 S550
Originally Posted by MagCL
I'm not sure of the symptoms.

I brought my car in to get the conductor plate replaced and noticed two cars like mine with their engines all in pieces. When I asked why, the mechanic told me that many of the 273 engines have a defective balance shaft gear which requires opening up the engine to fix. A very expensive repair for another defective MB part!!!

Check your engines serial number, konigstiger has stated up to which #'s were affected.

Just hope yours doesn't have it.
Where is the engine serial # located? TIA
Reply
Old Jan 11, 2013 | 06:18 AM
  #7  
marthyh's Avatar
Super Member
 
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 616
Likes: 5
From: Planet Earth
S500
The engine serial is on the datacard which can be derived from the VIN.Provided you have not changed the engine..
Reply
Old Jan 11, 2013 | 08:19 AM
  #8  
NickCats's Avatar
Senior Member
 
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 432
Likes: 2
From: Chicago
2018 E300 4MATIC Sedan
You can subscribe to EPCnet online here :

http://epc.startekinfo.com/epc/

This will allow you to pull the datacard for your car which will include the engine number, transmission number, and a list of all of the installed options.

According to the TSB :

Equipped with M272 Engine Up to Serial No. 2729..30 468993 or M273 Engine Up to Serial No. 2739..30 088611.

The material for the balance shaft sprocket and the timing chain guide wheel (idler) was modified on engines past the serial numbers listed above.

Hope this helps,

Nick
Reply
MB World Stories

The Best of Mercedes & AMG

story-0

6 Mercedes Models That Did NOT Age Well (But Are Somehow Still Cool)

 Verdad Gallardo
story-1

Manual Mercedes? 6 Times Sindelfingen Let Drivers Have All The Fun

 Verdad Gallardo
story-2

Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren

 Verdad Gallardo
story-3

8 Classic Boxy Mercedes Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine

 Verdad Gallardo
story-4

Flawlessly Restored Mercedes 190E Evo II Heads to Auction

 Verdad Gallardo
story-5

Electric Mercedes C-Class Unveiled: 11 Things You Need to Know

 Verdad Gallardo
story-6

Mercedes EQS Gets A Major Update: Everything You Need to Know

 Verdad Gallardo
story-7

5 Underrated Mercedes-Benz Models That Don't Get the Love They Deserve

 Verdad Gallardo
story-8

Mercedes 300D Has Pushed Well Past 1 Million Miles and It Ain't Stopping

 Verdad Gallardo
story-9

10 Most Reliable Mercedes-Benz Models You Can Buy Used

 Verdad Gallardo
Old Jan 27, 2013 | 03:25 AM
  #9  
XUserX04's Avatar
Junior Member
 
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 18
Likes: 0
From: NY
Lexus
Would this be covered under the warranty?
Reply
Old Jan 27, 2013 | 11:04 AM
  #10  
konigstiger's Avatar
Out Of Control!!
 
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 15,901
Likes: 4,632
From: North Scottsdale, AZ
'71 Pinto
Originally Posted by XUserX04
Would this be covered under the warranty?
Yes however, MB will only approve repair if DTC (fault codes) 1200 and/or 1208 are stored – reference DTB S-B-03.30/08j. Check PM.
Reply
Old Jan 27, 2013 | 11:28 AM
  #11  
MBtech1098's Avatar
Super Member
 
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 541
Likes: 22
From: USA
10 speed bicycle
Originally Posted by XUserX04
Would this be covered under the warranty?
If your vehicle is still under the Warranty period. Note: that if you are out of this period, some dealers will goodwill it. Also the DTB mentioned by konigstiger has been superseded by a LI. Dealer staff are well aware of those DTC's and what the repair is.
Reply
Old Jan 27, 2013 | 01:31 PM
  #12  
konigstiger's Avatar
Out Of Control!!
 
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 15,901
Likes: 4,632
From: North Scottsdale, AZ
'71 Pinto
Originally Posted by MBtech1098
DTB mentioned by konigstiger has been superseded by a LI.
LI.03.30-P-050027
Reply
Old Feb 9, 2016 | 04:02 PM
  #13  
xpl0sive's Avatar
MBWorld Fanatic!
 
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 1,230
Likes: 32
From: Vancouver, BC
CLS55 AMG
sorry to bump an old thread. I'm looking at a 2007 S550 with engine # 273961 30 074354. It looks like it falls in the range of the affected engines. This vehicle is clearly out of warranty due to age/miles. Are there any recalls for this issue yet?
Reply
Old Feb 10, 2016 | 09:40 PM
  #14  
MagCL's Avatar
Thread Starter
Member
 
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 109
Likes: 0
From: Toronto
CL55, S550, 450SL
Originally Posted by xpl0sive
sorry to bump an old thread. I'm looking at a 2007 S550 with engine # 273961 30 074354. It looks like it falls in the range of the affected engines. This vehicle is clearly out of warranty due to age/miles. Are there any recalls for this issue yet?
Recall??? Your'e on your own my friend. Mercedes makes us poor saps pay for repairs after the warranty expires, even if it is due to defective parts. Same goes for the transmission issues. I would stay away from cars within the affected serial number range.
Reply
Old Jun 28, 2021 | 07:34 PM
  #15  
Carlosgv's Avatar
Newbie
 
Joined: Jun 2021
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
S550
Originally Posted by konigstiger
Affected range up to 30 088611, you're fine.
Good afternoon. Would you tell me if my 07, S550 has the detective balance shaft gear…? My engine serial is 273 961 30 016084.
Sorry to bother you and thank you for your help….
Reply
Old Jun 28, 2021 | 07:41 PM
  #16  
EasyPhil's Avatar
Super Member
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
 
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 713
Likes: 214
From: Brooklyn, NY
2007 S550 4Matic 2013 S550 Base
Originally Posted by Carlosgv
Good afternoon. Would you tell me if my 07, S550 has the detective balance shaft gear…? My engine serial is 273 961 30 016084.
Sorry to bother you and thank you for your help….
I think if it were, that problem with have happened long ago, that car is 14 years old.
Reply
Old Jun 29, 2021 | 11:07 AM
  #17  
konigstiger's Avatar
Out Of Control!!
 
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 15,901
Likes: 4,632
From: North Scottsdale, AZ
'71 Pinto
Originally Posted by Carlosgv
Would you tell me if my 07, S550 has the detective balance shaft gear…? My engine serial is 273 961 30 016084.
Yes your engine is within affected range. Defective parts were installed @ production some may offer a so-called educated guess as to when they should fail but it is inevitable they will eventually fail.
Reply
Old Jun 30, 2021 | 07:32 PM
  #18  
lkchris's Avatar
MBWorld Fanatic!
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 6,189
Likes: 242
From: Albuquerque
'10 CL550, '12 GL550
Of course only the V6 have a balance shaft, but the V8 I think has an idler gear in similar position.
Reply
Old Dec 31, 2025 | 04:47 AM
  #19  
Add's Avatar
Add
Newbie
 
Joined: Dec 2025
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
Can anyone tell me if my S550 2008 is affected by a defective balance shaft, advising

Originally Posted by MagCL
Can anyone tell me if my 07, S550 has the defective balance shaft gear?? I called Mercedes and they wouldn't tell me. My engine serial is 273 961 30 129 250. Thanks.
can anyone
Reply
Old Dec 31, 2025 | 08:15 AM
  #20  
BOTUS's Avatar
MBWorld Fanatic!
10 Year Member
Community Builder
Community Influencer
Liked
 
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 5,319
Likes: 1,675
S500
modern cars are all a risk - as it says in these posts above - if the vehicle you are concerned about came with the real chocolate parts, it would have failed years back

they had no idea which were really wrong - go to to merc specialist and ask - they have been fixing lots that were outside range and have had others in range that have never played up

but no doubt lots of the parts were cheap and nasty (and the replacements were only slightly better), add in abuse, cheap oils and a lack of servicing it will help any engine, by any brand, head in this direction

the last PDF is in this post

https://mbworld.org/forums/s-class-w...ml#post9226429
Reply

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 

Thread Tools
Search this Thread
Rate This Thread
Rate This Thread:
You have already rated this thread Rating: Thread Rating: 0 votes,  average.


All times are GMT -4. The time now is 02:27 AM.

story-0
6 Mercedes Models That Did NOT Age Well (But Are Somehow Still Cool)

Slideshow: Not every Mercedes design becomes timeless, some feel stuck in the era they came from.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-12 18:09:07


VIEW MORE
story-1
Manual Mercedes? 6 Times Sindelfingen Let Drivers Have All The Fun

Slideshow: Yes, Mercedes built manual cars, and some of them are far more interesting than you'd expect.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-02 12:36:58


VIEW MORE
story-2
Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren

Slideshow: A one-of-one U.S.-spec Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren Roadster became even rarer after a factory-backed transformation at McLaren's headquarters.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-29 11:19:28


VIEW MORE
story-3
8 Classic Boxy Mercedes Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine

Slideshow: Before curves took over, Mercedes mastered the art of the straight line, and some of those shapes still look right today.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-25 12:05:49


VIEW MORE
story-4
Flawlessly Restored Mercedes 190E Evo II Heads to Auction

Slideshow: The 190E Evolution II shows how a homologation necessity became a six-figure collector icon.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-22 17:53:47


VIEW MORE
story-5
Electric Mercedes C-Class Unveiled: 11 Things You Need to Know

Slideshow: Mercedes is turning one of its core nameplates electric, and the details show just how serious this shift is.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-21 13:58:06


VIEW MORE
story-6
Mercedes EQS Gets A Major Update: Everything You Need to Know

Slideshow: Faster charging, longer range, and a controversial steer-by-wire system define the latest evolution of Mercedes-Benz EQS.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-15 10:35:34


VIEW MORE
story-7
5 Underrated Mercedes-Benz Models That Don't Get the Love They Deserve

Slideshow: These overlooked Mercedes-Benz models never got the spotlight, but they quietly delivered more than most remember.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-13 19:35:45


VIEW MORE
story-8
Mercedes 300D Has Pushed Well Past 1 Million Miles and It Ain't Stopping

Slideshow: A well-used 1991 Mercedes-Benz 300D with more than one million miles is now looking for a new owner, and it still appears ready for more.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-10 10:05:15


VIEW MORE
story-9
10 Most Reliable Mercedes-Benz Models You Can Buy Used

Slideshow: From bulletproof sedans to surprisingly tough SUVs, these Mercedes models proved that the three-pointed star can go the distance.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-08 09:55:49


VIEW MORE