M272 engine 1208/P0016 code

[Kingpin!]

Hi, forum!

Car is running fine (like it always has). When the car was serviced a couple of days ago I got the report from the workshop that it a has a stored fault code; 1208 (P0016).

The engine light has not been illuminated and again, car is running fine (no strange noises etc.).

From surfing around a bit I saw that it might be the magnets/solenoids that should be replaced. If this is correct, should all magnets be replaced and does somebody have a document describing the correct workshop procedure for dealing with this fault alt. knows the correct workshop document number?

Car is a 2006 R350.


TIA!

 

[grober]

http://www.mbclub.co.uk/forums/engine/137229-complete-m272-engine-thread.html

 

[Kingpin!]

http://www.mbclub.co.uk/forums/engine/137229-complete-m272-engine-thread.html

OK, from reading the thread and the MB documents I might have a balance shaft that is worn and since engine light hasn't been illuminated (yet) and this is "early days" so far I wonder:

1. Should I have the engine repaired?
2. How much will it cost (roughly) to repair?
3. How long does it take to do the job?
4. Should I buy a second hand engine instead?
5. How much will it cost (roughly) to remove and install a used engine?
6. If I contact MB will they goodwill some cost possibly?
7. Are these jobs so complicated that I should repair it at a specialist who does these kind of repairs on routine? Any recommended workshops?

I really must admit that next car I buy might not be an MB (we've had several and we're going to buy a new car for my wife soon), clearly from reading documents about the poor quality of the balance shaft from way back in 2007 - MB chose to not recall cars with this issue, I really feel that I've been taken for a ride and it's not a nice feeling!

 

[grober]

1 If the engine warning light has not come on [ it does illuminate at switch on doesn't it???] I would clear the fault code and wait.
2.Depends if its just the solenoids or more extensive damage but 4 figures easily possible.
3. car off the road a couple of days minimum if parts are to hand.
4.NO unless the rest of the engine is badly worn.
5.negotiable but coding with star will likely be required.
6.Unlikely- very little anecdotal evidence in the UK- few of these engines about - but unless you bought the car new or with an MB warranty and it has a cast iron MB service history- unlikely- does no harm to ask.
7. If a repair is required insist on getting it done at an MB specialist or main dealer who has done several of these before. There will be some UK main dealer workshop/staff who may have never come across the problem.

For now its a waiting game after clearing that fault code/engine light---- use the time to research a candidate to entrust any repair work to- should the worst come to the worst.

 

[Kingpin!]

1 If the engine warning light has not come on [ it does illuminate at switch on doesn't it???] I would clear the fault code and wait.
2.Depends if its just the solenoids or more extensive damage but 4 figures easily possible.
3. car off the road a couple of days minimum if parts are to hand.
4.NO unless the rest of the engine is badly worn.
5.negotiable but coding with star will likely be required.
6.Unlikely- very little anecdotal evidence in the UK- few of these engines about - but unless you bought the car new or with an MB warranty and it has a cast iron MB service history- unlikely- does no harm to ask.
7. If a repair is required insist on getting it done at an MB specialist or main dealer who has done several of these before. There will be some UK main dealer workshop/staff who may have never come across the problem.

For now its a waiting game after clearing that fault code/engine light---- use the time to research a candidate to entrust any repair work to- should the worst come to the worst.

Grober, no, the engine light has never illuminated, only this last service I did I got a short test report with 1208/p0016 from the workshop. It was only a few weeks ago when I received the last short test report without the 1208/p0016 code so I know that it's very fresh.

 

[grober]

Sorry didn't make my self clear. On ignition switch on the engine warning light should illuminate [ system check]and should extinguish a short time later on engine start up.[engine check] Unscrupulous dealers have been known to disconnect this light to prevent prospective purchasers from being warned of a prospective engine fault. Doesn't sound as if this is the case with your car which is fine. Get the code cleared and then see if it comes back- car could be good for quite few more miles if its just a random trigger . In the old days before the days of intelligent engine electronics folks might drive for years blissfully unaware of a problem till something major let go. If the problem is real then the code will come back pretty quickly -usually this would be accompanied by the engine warning light coming on. However---- rumour has it that Mercedes actually broadened the criteria for the "out of permissable range" settings in the engine software to prevent the engine warning light illuminating alerting owners of a potential problem till the car was more likely to be out of warranty! So there may be a scenario where the light does not illuminate despite the presence of a fault developing. With a constantly recurring DTC fault code of 1208 the next option is a strip down and inspection to ascertain exactly what's going on. This is expensive and why its wise to initially adopt the watchfull waiting approach. What does your garage say?

 

[Kingpin!]

Sorry didn't make my self clear. On ignition switch on the engine warning light should illuminate [ system check]and should extinguish a short time later on engine start up.[engine check] Unscrupulous dealers have been known to disconnect this light to prevent prospective purchasers from being warned of a prospective engine fault. Doesn't sound as if this is the case with your car which is fine. Get the code cleared and then see if it comes back- car could be good for quite few more miles if its just a random trigger . In the old days before the days of intelligent engine electronics folks might drive for years blissfully unaware of a problem till something major let go. If the problem is real then the code will come back pretty quickly -usually this would be accompanied by the engine warning light coming on. However---- rumour has it that Mercedes actually broadened the criteria for the "out of permissable range" settings in the engine software to prevent the engine warning light illuminating alerting owners of a potential problem till the car was more likely to be out of warranty! So there may be a scenario where the light does not illuminate despite the presence of a fault developing. With a constantly recurring DTC fault code of 1208 the next option is a strip down and inspection to ascertain exactly what's going on. This is expensive and why its wise to initially adopt the watchfull waiting approach. What does your garage say?

Grober, I'll check/verify next time I start the car (I'm abroad right now). At least no warning messages are displayed. I will also see to it that the codes clear first before taking any further actions.

Thank you for your input!