DIY M272 balance shaft repalcement

[HF2]

My R350 with just over 94k on the clock appears to be showing signs of balance shaft sprocket failure, I've got codes P0018, P0019 as well as codes for cylinders 4,5 & 6 misfiring. In addition I can hear the timing chain rattling. My research tells me it will cost upwards of 3k to get the engine repaired if I take it to a garage, that the leaves me with just two other options, 1), break it up for spare or 2) source the parts and fix it myself. I am a fairly competent DIY mechanic and I have tools to do the job however it seems like quite a lot of hassle taking the engine out to replace all the bit's which need replacing. The cost of the parts as well make me question if it's worth it, the balance shaft kit is about £400 -£500, Timing chain kit £150-£200, Intake manifold repair kit £60-£80. In addition to this is the time it will take me as I can only work on it in my spare at weekends.

Also I have not yet been able to get hold of a workshop manual for the R Class thus making difficult to determine how easy or difficult or easy the job will be and what specialist tolls would be required , so my question is has anyone on here actually done this job on their own ?,

 

[slade1]

Has your car got the M272 motor?
Haynes America do a WS manual for C class 2001 to 2007
I have one Haynes No 63040.

 

[Smiley]

It's a big job and probably several traps for the first time novice to fall into. I'd think twice about shelling out the best part of £1k on parts for a R class - I suppose it depends how good the rest of the car is and how useful it is to you. Imagine if you spent the £1k on parts, spent hours and hours on it, and then when it is all back together it won't start and then you end up spending even more to fix it because you've sunk the £1k into it. I'd sell it with an honest description and buy something else.

 

[slade1]

Around 10 years ago my Indie said it would cost around 3.50 - 4.00K£ to fix.
Have a look on youtube, Plenty of dismantling, almost the whole front of the car has to come off.
De-gas the AC is just one hurdle

 

[HF2]

Has your car got the M272 motor?
Haynes America do a WS manual for C class 2001 to 2007
I have one Haynes No 63040.

Thanks I'll get one

 

[HF2]

It's a big job and probably several traps for the first time novice to fall into. I'd think twice about shelling out the best part of £1k on parts for a R class - I suppose it depends how good the rest of the car is and how useful it is to you. Imagine if you spent the £1k on parts, spent hours and hours on it, and then when it is all back together it won't start and then you end up spending even more to fix it because you've sunk the £1k into it. I'd sell it with an honest description and buy something else.

The situations changed slightly, I have since bought an R500. The R350 will become my "spares" car. I might still fix the engine having found out that my local Mercedes Benz dealer sell the repair kit for £300. I have most of the equipment required to do the job apart from an engine stand.

I replaced the head gasket on my C36 Amg and have done similar on Lancia's , although this will be the first V6 I've worked on it's a project i'd like to take on as long as I can get hold of a workshop manual.