The Complete M272 Engine Thread

[steve.65]

GEARBOX ISSUES AS WELL!!! Jesus, what are Mercedes selling these days!? Perhaps I'll just give the beemer a big service, refurb the wheels and keep it! FWIW I'm only looking at 2009 cars with 45k max miles.

 

[Codger49]

As far as I know, 2009 CLKs are free from the engine and gearbox issues that affected 2005/6/7 cars.

Later this year I too will be looking for a 2009 CLK, I just love their shape. The only other MB I fancy as much is the W219 CLS, but its just a little wide for my country lanes.

 

[steve.65]

Yeah, me too with the CLS. I'd love one but it's too big for central London. The CLK is a beautiful car, especially in sport form.

 

[boot1233]

Hey guys was looking to get a clk 280 sport 55 reg 100k mileage

Got the vin (WDB2093542F190091)

Checked the sites mentioned to get he engine code and it came back as:

272 940 30 282 154

Am I right in saying this is within the range of the first issue?

"engines up to #2729..30 468933 -- this when the gear is the problem

engines up to #2729..30 759427 -- this when the adjustment solenoids are the problem

engines up to #2729..30 895140 -- this when the adjustment solenoid leak oil"

Correct me if im wrong but that would mean, the repair is a big job if not already done? How much would I be looking at if it isnt done?

Many Thanks

 

[grober]

Correct within the first issue range. recent poster was quoted £2,800 by Merc for the repair- an independent might be slightly cheaper

 

[boot1233]

Correct within the first issue range. recent poster was quoted £2,800 by Merc for the repair- an independent might be slightly cheaper

thanks for the quick reply, if the work has been carried out would it mean the car is good and any of the above issues would not resurface?

thanks

 

[grober]

Repaired by a good specialist with the correct parts the repair will outlast the rest of the engine. Do check the repair hasn't been done already.

 

[jdrrco]

I'm looking at a low mileage 2006/56 CLK280. Obviously, at this age, it is going to fall into the balance shaft issues category.

What questions should I be asking the seller about the service history for peace of mind?

 

[grober]

Basically has it got a good= comprehensive and consecutive [ no long time gaps] service history. Honest cars tend to shine through - its obvious- few owners- comprehensive regular service history with MB or a respected specialist. Well documented major repairs. nothing iffy. If the timing gear repair is not documented you have to assume it hasn't been done. What's the mileage of the car ?

 

[jdrrco]

Basically has it got a good= comprehensive and consecutive [ no long time gaps] service history. Honest cars tend to shine through - its obvious- few owners- comprehensive regular service history with MB or a respected specialist. Well documented major repairs. nothing iffy. If the timing gear repair is not documented you have to assume it hasn't been done. What's the mileage of the car ?

One owner, 40k miles "Full service history, 7 stamps in the service book, Just been serviced, 2 keys, 1 year MOT, Comprehensive 3 year warranty available"

 

[grober]

One owner, 40k miles "Full service history, 7 stamps in the service book, Just been serviced, 2 keys, 1 year MOT, Comprehensive 3 year warranty available"

With one owner it should be relatively simple to check all the service documentation/invoices to see if the timing gear has been repaired. At a genuine "easy on the revs " 40,000 miles the problem might not have surfaced yet. Usually first indicated by the engine warning light coming on so obviously check the warning light comes on at ignition switch on and then extinguishes- then take the car for an extended road test and give it a good work out revs wise always looking for that tell tale warning light. If the car is good [ at present] and the timing gear hasn't been replaced then you have a problem in that the seller is unlikely to be prepared to drop the price for a non existent fault. I doubt the 3 year warranty will cover the full cost of any repair as most have an upper limit to any claim. If the car is a good one it may still be worth buying but you should factor in the cost of a potential timing gear repair in future running costs.

 

[Codger49]

You might also consider taking out (or getting the vendor to) a Mercedes Warranty.

I have just run a quote on the Mercedes UK warranty website: Warranty

I used car reg HG56KFL, which might well be the one you are looking at. For one years Tier One, it gave £838.77 with zero excess (or £647.14 with a £250 excess). Tier 2 and Drivetrain would be less. To cover the balance shaft/camshaft magnets issues, I think only Drivetrain level of cover is needed.

PS the MOT history for that car stacks up for mileage, but you might want to check the front suspension ball joints that were apparently replaced on 24 March 2016 were actually done as there is no mileage difference between Fail and Pass (on the same day).

 

[Codger49]

PS the engine no on that car is 405239, so within the balance shaft issue tranche.

 

[jlsh72]

M272 Balance Shaft problem - when will it appear?

There has been much written about the Balancer Shaft issue on this engine.
This bulletin explains much.

http://mbworld.org/wiki/images/0/0b/Mercedes_M272_balance_shaft_service_bulletin.pdf


engines up to #2729..30 468933 -- this when the gear is the problem

engines up to #2729..30 759427 -- this when the adjustment solenoids are the problem

engines up to #2729..30 895140 -- this when the adjustment solenoids leak oil

The first two scenarios cause "check engine light", the third is just an oil leak.

Yesterday I was reviewing whether to buy a 2006 SLK 350. The engine number falls into category 1, but the vehicle had 106,000 miles on the clock and FSH. There was no evidence in the SH of the balance shaft having been addressed, and no record on the MB computers of this work being done. I decided not to buy the car as my conclusion based on the US court case settlement is that the problem could appear at any time up to 125,000 miles. Is that a fair conclusion?

I tried to see if I could inspect the sprocket but without the right tools it was impossible. The seller then tried to suggest that this problem was only in the US as there has been no class action in Europe. I also assume that is not true?

Any advice appreciated as this was going to be my first MB! Still looking for another SLK350.

Thanks

 

[Codger49]

jlsh72:

Agree with both your conclusion and assumption.

 

[PobodY]

I think it's as simple as there was no class action law suit in Europe. - It's the same engine with the same flaws.

I still like my V6, but I do live in fear that it's going to need the balance shaft changing. - The flip side is than once it's done, it's done and won't need changing again... and at sale time you can produce the paperwork to prove it.

 

[Barney9304]

I think it's as simple as there was no class action law suit in Europe. - It's the same engine with the same flaws.

I still like my V6, but I do live in fear that it's going to need the balance shaft changing. - The flip side is than once it's done, it's done and won't need changing again... and at sale time you can produce the paperwork to prove it.

Went looking a a 2.5 V6 today but the number was one of the first and it had done 94k so give it a miss. Still looking.

 

[MatC63]

Agree - love my CLK 350 sports, although it's poorly with CEL constantly on and DTC's showing 1200 & 1208 but I'm going to shell out for the likely balance shaft repair even though it's 12 years old it looks and drives pretty much like a new car!

 

[Old spanners]

M272 Balance Shaft problem - when will it appear?



Yesterday I was reviewing whether to buy a 2006 SLK 350. The engine number falls into category 1, but the vehicle had 106,000 miles on the clock and FSH. There was no evidence in the SH of the balance shaft having been addressed, and no record on the MB computers of this work being done. I decided not to buy the car as my conclusion based on the US court case settlement is that the problem could appear at any time up to 125,000 miles. Is that a fair conclusion?

I tried to see if I could inspect the sprocket but without the right tools it was impossible. The seller then tried to suggest that this problem was only in the US as there has been no class action in Europe. I also assume that is not true?

Any advice appreciated as this was going to be my first MB! Still looking for another SLK350.

Thanks

This problem was a quality control problem and didn't effect every single V6 engine within the quoted range otherwise MB would be out of business. The problem still is not knowing which one it will effect so buying one within the range is a gamble.

 

[MatC63]

Yes, mine ran sweet as a nut, fully synth oil every year/5k - then it hit 71k (precisely 12 years young) on the clock the dreaded issue appeared!