• The Forums are now open to new registrations, adverts are also being de-tuned.

272 Balance shaft

Chesswallis

New Member
Joined
Oct 21, 2019
Messages
8
Location
Stafford
Car
Mercedes CLK 350
Hi Guys new member found this researching my problem. Have a 2005 CLK 350 had it from new Full MB Service history just done 74500 miles 5k per year. I now have the P0016 and P0017 codes on my car and MB at Stafford are quoting minimum £3500 labour to put right the car is simply not worth that, they say the balance shaft needs replacing it cost me £42000 new I did not know I had to perhaps scrap it at 75k miles.

Can anyone suggest a good garage in the UK to get this done cheaper however my dealer has told me others have tried this but some have failed and they ended up putting it right.

I have looked through other posts on this I have no warranty of course I am just looking to see if my car can be saved or is it Ebay spares or repairs
 
As you are in Stafford, I'd consider speaking to Acid @ MSL Performance in Armoury Road, Birmingham.

They know their stuff and don't ride into town on horseback!
 
Wayne Gates in Harrow.
I have the same problem on my 350 CLS
He charges in the region of £2200
Well respected forum member and has done other good work for me.
I know he does quite a few of these.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
Wayne Gates in Harrow.
I have the same problem on my 350 CLS
He charges in the region of £2200
Well respected forum member and has done other good work for me.
I know he does quite a few of these.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
As you are in Stafford, I'd consider speaking to Acid @ MSL Performance in Armoury Road, Birmingham.

They know their stuff and don't ride into town on horseback!
Thanks so much for that I will give them a call, it just worries me get this done and the gearbox goes do you think though I am better selling it for spares?
 
Wayne Gates in Harrow.
I have the same problem on my 350 CLS
He charges in the region of £2200
Well respected forum member and has done other good work for me.
I know he does quite a few of these.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Hi You say you have the same problem does that mean you are still running your car with the problem, is it safe to do that mine drives as good as the day I picked it up brand new I turned the management light of to get it through the MOT last month
 
Hi You say you have the same problem does that mean you are still running your car with the problem, is it safe to do that mine drives as good as the day I picked it up brand new I turned the management light of to get it through the MOT last month

Hi,
Yes still driving it as I have no choice. Love the car but it’s caused me nothing but issues. Had the previous engine go bang because of Balance Shaft issues after the person I bought the car off turned the Engine Light off to hide the issue.
Bought a new engine and that has the same problem, again hidden however I am taking further action on this.
My view is if I get my money back on new engine I’ll have it fixed if I don’t I will sell it making clear it has the issue and if it goes bang in the meantime then suffer the consequences [emoji30]


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
Thanks so much for that I will give them a call, it just worries me get this done and the gearbox goes do you think though I am better selling it for spares?
The gearbox, diff etc should be good for way, way more than 75k (if it's had fluid changes). Personally I would take it somewhere like W.Gates and get it fixed. It's a bummer but better than chancing another used car or dropping serious cash on a new one.

TBH I really wouldn't mind a nice petrol 350 as they meet the bloody emissions zone down here.
 
Last edited:
it just worries me get this done and the gearbox goes do you think though I am better selling it for spares?

The gearbox, diff etc should be good for way, way more than 75k (if it's had fluid changes).

I share this view on the gearbox.

As you've owned it so long, I'm assuming you know if it has had at least one ATF change (I've no idea if your car fits in the period where MB thought it was a great idea not to change ATF).

Official MB advice after that era is one change at a specific interval (which would be 38k miles / 4 years on your car) but some recommend repeating this interval.

If it changes smoothly then it should be good for the foreseeable and some time after.

If you are aware of it not changing right / jerky etc., could just be fluid or something else brewing.

If you've never had the ATF changed, might be worth doing if you consider getting the engine sorted.

As to whether it is worth bothering, this is a personal decision really.

One school of thought it if you run it until it dies (whenever that is - could be a month, could be another 5 years) and "throw it away" (i.e. sell it for spares / scrap at least), it's only cost you £3k a year in depreciation (right now and this will only decrease the longer it lasts) which is not too bad for a car from new - especially if you have enjoyed it.

On the other hand, you know it's not a lemon and if you still like the car and it does what you need, it's probably worth fixing.

£2.5k sounds like a big bill but in the scheme of things it's not terrible if that is the worse thing you have had. You could then have plenty more years and miles out of it further lowering your total cost of ownership. Cheaper than buying a new car too subject to what you buy.

Cars are always a bit of a lottery whatever you do and as mentioned, you could buy another which turns out to be a right turd.

Sometimes better the devil you know!
 
I share this view on the gearbox.

As you've owned it so long, I'm assuming you know if it has had at least one ATF change (I've no idea if your car fits in the period where MB thought it was a great idea not to change ATF).

Official MB advice after that era is one change at a specific interval (which would be 38k miles / 4 years on your car) but some recommend repeating this interval.

If it changes smoothly then it should be good for the foreseeable and some time after.

If you are aware of it not changing right / jerky etc., could just be fluid or something else brewing.

If you've never had the ATF changed, might be worth doing if you consider getting the engine sorted.

As to whether it is worth bothering, this is a personal decision really.

One school of thought it if you run it until it dies (whenever that is - could be a month, could be another 5 years) and "throw it away" (i.e. sell it for spares / scrap at least), it's only cost you £3k a year in depreciation (right now and this will only decrease the longer it lasts) which is not too bad for a car from new - especially if you have enjoyed it.

On the other hand, you know it's not a lemon and if you still like the car and it does what you need, it's probably worth fixing.

£2.5k sounds like a big bill but in the scheme of things it's not terrible if that is the worse thing you have had. You could then have plenty more years and miles out of it further lowering your total cost of ownership. Cheaper than buying a new car too subject to what you buy.

Cars are always a bit of a lottery whatever you do and as mentioned, you could buy another which turns out to be a right turd.

Sometimes better the devil you know!
Thanks for taking the time to reply to my post I wish I had come here earlier, I have had the gearbox oil changed about three years ago at 60k ish I presume that is ATF I do not know that phrase. the car is part of the family having it from new, one day it has to go for spares r repair on Ebay and another I feel like repairing it, its like putting a dog down thats been loyal which may survive an expensive operation. I guess in its current form its worth a grand and when repaired it will be 2.5k to 3k that is allot of car for the money, again I thank you for your input one of the replies was to try a firm in Birmingham which is my next course of action Harrow is the other end of the world for me. I did try this place Mercedes Repair and Servicing | Independent Mercedes Benz Specialists | Dudley but I cannot get past the girl on the switchboard to talk to anyone I emailed a week ago and so far no reply I guess they are very busy.
 
Which of the three categories does your car come under? check the engine no- if the engine has been replaced then it may not be the same as on the registration document or EPC
Wayback Machine

ps in relation to MB specialists- there are those who routinely rebuild engines and others who service cars ----possibly to a high standard but "horses for courses"
more info from the usa
You are being redirected...

pps- when you say "new engine" I'm assuming you mean new to you i.e. second hand??
 
Last edited:
Which of the three categories does your car come under? check the engine no- if the engine has been replaced then it may not be the same as on the registration document
Wayback Machine

ps in relation to MB specialists- there are those who routinely rebuild engines and others who service cars ----possibly to a high standard but "horses for courses"
Please forgive me not sure of the question I have seen the link you have sent me my engine number is 27296030104779, yes I want someone who regular builds engines who has done this job before my dealer warned me they had to put right an attempt by a cheaper garage who had not done this before the last thing I want is to save a few quid and have oil leaks and a car that does not run right but at the same time I cannot afford the £170 per hour twenty hours plus parts my MB dealer at Stafford wants. Finally the engine has not been replaced I have had this vehicle from new
 
Thanks for taking the time to reply to my post I wish I had come here earlier, I have had the gearbox oil changed about three years ago at 60k ish I presume that is ATF I do not know that phrase. the car is part of the family having it from new, one day it has to go for spares r repair on Ebay and another I feel like repairing it, its like putting a dog down thats been loyal which may survive an expensive operation. I guess in its current form its worth a grand and when repaired it will be 2.5k to 3k that is allot of car for the money, again I thank you for your input one of the replies was to try a firm in Birmingham which is my next course of action Harrow is the other end of the world for me. I did try this place Mercedes Repair and Servicing | Independent Mercedes Benz Specialists | Dudley but I cannot get past the girl on the switchboard to talk to anyone I emailed a week ago and so far no reply I guess they are very busy.

Yes, ATF is automatic transmission fluid. So as long as it is changing gear smoothly, there is no reason to believe it will pop.

I would find out the facts first (cost to sort the engine) and decide based on that.

Acid will give you an honest price to fix with no hidden extras or bullshyte. He is contactable too although he can be at busy at times. What good trade aren't?

It's probably only worth repairing if you intend to keep it at those values then i.e. it's worth more to you as a working car.

Even if you don't repair, you might decide to run it as a timebomb car and just wait until it dies.
 
The balance shaft issue affects cars up to engine no 27296030468993 so your engine would fall within that category.
 
I have a C350 in the range for failure but its only done 43500 miles so far, I had oil analysis done and metal particles are normal for age of the engine, however I'm going to get it done before it becomes a problem, because the car is a mint one owner example, these engines will do big miles when the balancer shaft and modified variable inlet manifold parts are fitted. Its at least £2000 on a car that's worth not much more but I intend to keep it for a bit.

I'm actually least worried by the balancer shaft problem, W203/W209 seem to have a heavy appetite for coil springs and suspension bushes as they get on in life... I bought the car and they had all been done alas I think they were Chinese rubbish as 9 months later and a few thousand miles only they wanted doing again... OEM only this time!

Hopefully you can get the work done by one of the friendly independents, it would be a shame to bin the car... what else would you buy and how much more would it cost you?
 
Hi Thanks for your input, it is actually the wife,s car I have a E220 cdi estate 2013 were both now in our sixties and we can manage with one vehicle I change my mind from day to day in selling for spares or repairing and selling in the early spring when ragtops may be again sought after although the tax is just over £300 per year I have just insured the CLK for £128 so to keep it on the drive is not allot.
 
Hi Thanks for your input, it is actually the wife,s car I have a E220 cdi estate 2013 were both now in our sixties and we can manage with one vehicle I change my mind from day to day in selling for spares or repairing and selling in the early spring when ragtops may be again sought after although the tax is just over £300 per year I have just insured the CLK for £128 so to keep it on the drive is not allot.

All about personal preference. However if you’re going to keep off road for a length of time and then sell I would think about SORN and get your tax stopped or refunded. No point paying tax for a car that is staying on your drive ?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
My C350 is now on about 92k miles, and no repair needed yet. It will at some point but until the light comes on and the codes get read, I'm ignoring it. If/when it does, I'll get it repaired. It is pretty expensive as repairs go, but once it's fixed, it's fixed, and the car is worth fixing. It's still way cheaper than swapping it for something equivalent - which may well come with its own new set of problems.
 
PS shop around at reputable mercedes independents for quotes. You want someone who has done this a few times before.
 

Users who are viewing this thread

Back
Top Bottom