New owner of CLK280, some advice needed!

[Mertz33]

Hi all,

Got my first Merc, a CLK280 coupe, always in love with the brand and drove my father's E-class few times but never owned one before!

I was aware of the infamous M272 balance shaft gears wearing out early and before I bought the car I checked engine serial which is a later one, after MB sorted out the issues - so that should be good.

Car has a nice service history, I just wanted to ask what else to look for, any known issues or parts that require replacing (even due to age?) to ensure a good maintenance?

For example I'm looking to replace the serpentine belt & tensioner as I don't think it was replaced judging by the service history..
Also brakes seem to 'pulse' at high speeds, I'm thinking warped discs? - looking to get drilled ones

Cheers!

 

[PobodY]

You may still have an issue with the cam shaft sensors, but they're relatively cheap and simple to replace with an upgraded part.

I'd suggest the main thing to watch for is the gearbox misbehaving; if it's never had the fluid changed, get that done... and if it still misbehaves it might need the electroplate repaired/replaced.
Watch for it not changing up through the gears, or not starting in a low enough gear.

If you start getting SRS errors, check the plugs under the seat in the first instance. - Although the occupancy sensor in the seat can fail, on mine it's always been that the connection is loose.

Be aware that the drilled discs from Mercedes are for the AMG brakes, so you may find they don't fit standard calipers. - Obviously you can get what you like in after-market discs.
Personally, I think grooved or dimpled discs are better than drilled; there's less chance of cracking if you don't already have a hole for it to propagate from.

Enjoy it. Obviously I think it's a lovely model.

 

[Edd1968]

Welcome and a lovely choice of car.
As long as its maintained well it should stand you in good stead. As the previous Post but if just replaced my brakes with what is basically your set up (except for 4 pot callipers not the twin pot ones yours will have). I bought Brembo discs and pads from ECP - perfect!!
Enjoy it, its a lovely car.

 

[Mertz33]

You may still have an issue with the cam shaft sensors, but they're relatively cheap and simple to replace with an upgraded part.

These are 4 sensors, right? Do you know where I can find the upgraded part number?

& Thanks for the recommendations, I'll start doing some checks although there were no error codes so far
Gear change is smooth, I found it weird that it's a 7-speed gearbox yet when selecting manually, after 6th goes into Drive (plus 6 and 7 seem very close ratio-wise?).

Welcome and a lovely choice of car.
As long as its maintained well it should stand you in good stead.

Thanks, I really like it and seems very well looked after - a pleasure to drive!!
Was looking at Brembo too but also found drilled ones from Mtec although I read around here that they rust quickly..



@All - few questions:
1. how often should the spark plugs be replaced?
2. Which type/brand of oil is recommended for the gearbox?
3. Got the standard? Radio/CD player but saw models with a CD changer - is it easy to fit one? + good aftermarket options for Headunit?
4. Fob key a bit worn, it it possible to transfer to a new case? (anyone knows where to source good quality cases?)


Cheers!

 

[Codger49]

Updated camshaft adjuster electromagnets are A 272 051 01 77.

Old ones were A 272 051 00 77.

 

[Flyinspanner]

Maybe state model year in case oils vary?

CD question will depend on exactly which system you currently have, plain audio, comand, Bose, HK? - it may even be easier to just change to android or new H/U with DAB /Spotify which may be better than CDs....

 

[Mertz33]

Updated camshaft adjuster electromagnets are A 272 051 01 77.
Old ones were A 272 051 00 77.

So the issue is with the cam sensors or solenoids?

Cheers

 

[Mertz33]

Maybe state model year in case oils vary?

CD question will depend on exactly which system you currently have, plain audio, comand, Bose, HK? - it may even be easier to just change to android or new H/U with DAB /Spotify which may be better than CDs....

Sorry forgot to mention, this is Feb 2007 production

->> Not sure how to identify system?
what would be a good Android system? (will it work with steering controls etc?)

Thanks

 

[Flyinspanner]

Put in a search for:-

“Android headunit”. Or
“Replace command”

Or just explore the electronics forum on here, there’s quite a bit of info. And even if some are not relating to your exact model, the process would be pretty similar.

 

[Codger49]

So the issue is with the cam sensors or solenoids?

Cheers

They are item 140 Electromagnets, 110 are the Position Senders.

 

[Mertz33]

They are item 140 Electromagnets, 110 are the Position Senders.

Ok so both sensor & electromagnet should be upgraded, that's 4 pairs total.

What's the sign that they fail?

Cheers

 

[PobodY]

I think there's a particular "P" error code the ECU will throw to say something like "camshaft solenoid out of range". - They shouldn't all need replacing, but it's something to keep an eye open for (and swap out before you start worrying about anything more serious).

The manual should include all the time points for changing things like spark plugs; it's quite a long interval from memory, but it's another one of those things that's quite cheap and easy to do.
(Plus you've only got six to change on the M272 unlike the twelve for the earlier V6.)

 

[Codger49]

Ok so both sensor & electromagnet should be upgraded, that's 4 pairs total.

What's the sign that they fail?

Cheers

Never heard of the sensors being replaced, only the electromagnets.

As Pobody states, you would get an EML illumination and an error code stored in the ECU. The error code is likely to be P00xx, where xx will tell you which camshaft is affected (intake/exhaust, bank 1/2) and whether the advance or retard values are out of expected range. Pretty simple OBD code readers should pick these up as they are held in the ME ecu.

My last one was P0012 (Intake, Bank 1, over retarded). Electromagnet was around £22 and it took 30 mins to swap over.

 

[slade1]

Serpentine belt and pulleys, if they are original change all of them.
The ribbed pulley let go on my CLK, ripped the belt to pieces, some got round the crankshaft between block and pulley caused all sorts of problems. There is NO warning.

 

[Mertz33]

Thanks all for your replies, I've done some checks, no error codes and then I found in service history book 'camshaft sensors replaced' at about 30K miles.
So it mentioned 'sensors' but I had a look and the electromagnets have the new part number A 272 051 01 77 so they've been changed.

Now the right side has some oil marks (looks dried but still shiny, it's not dripping or anything) around the electromagnet, was thinking it's the o-ring? Is this something easy to replace? (might have to remove steering pump and oil cooler to access?)
+ Where can I find correct torque setting for those bolts?

Thanks!

 

[Mertz33]

Serpentine belt and pulleys, if they are original change all of them.
The ribbed pulley let go on my CLK, ripped the belt to pieces, some got round the crankshaft between block and pulley caused all sorts of problems. There is NO warning.

Totally agree, I have already ordered the kit as there's no mention of this being replaced in service book!

Not sure if it's something I can replace myself, does anyone know?

Cheers

 

[slade1]

It’s straightforward nuts and bolt job. When you get the new parts have a look at tension pulley as has a locking pin. Find a x type screwdriver or similar of same diameter. The tension pulley on the car will have to be wound up, 17mm socket and turn towards alternator and insert locking pin. You have todo this to get at the lower bolt.

 

[Codger49]

Thanks all for your replies, I've done some checks, no error codes and then I found in service history book 'camshaft sensors replaced' at about 30K miles.
So it mentioned 'sensors' but I had a look and the electromagnets have the new part number A 272 051 01 77 so they've been changed.

Now the right side has some oil marks (looks dried but still shiny, it's not dripping or anything) around the electromagnet, was thinking it's the o-ring? Is this something easy to replace? (might have to remove steering pump and oil cooler to access?)
+ Where can I find correct torque setting for those bolts?

Thanks!

The electromagnets are supplied with 'O' rings, but they are also available seperately, A 019 997 37 45 for a couple of pounds.

You shouldn't need to remove steering pump and oil cooler to replace the electromagnets, just the air intakes and the front engine cover, but on the right bank, the bracket holding the air pump switchover valve needs to removed to access the intake camshaft electromagnet (solenoid in some MB docs). The bolt for this bracket is 9 Nm and the electromagnet bolts are 8 Nm.