[Kwaka]

My car is in the effected range and it just turned over 75,000 miles.
To the best of my knowledge and research, only 10% of engines ever develop the problem. And of those, most are in the heavier cars, like the GL. SLK very rarely develop the problem.
I came to the conclusion that I love my car, and stopped worrying about it. if it happens, I'll fix it as there is no car I would rather have than my SLK.
Enjoy your car and don't worry about it.

I pretty much got the same advice from my MB technician when it went in for a service last week. He said there's no signs of swarf in the oil anyway and said not to worry about it. So that's what I'm doing, enjoying the car. If it goes wrong it goes wrong and that's that.

 

[DSSG]

Can anyone tell me how to decode the engine serial number? Specifically the two numbers that precede the final six digits, the serial number? On the site they are 30.

BTW, I was able to obtain the engine serial number from my dealer.

Thanks

 

[jbanks15]

Your engine serial number is in your datacard if you requested one from us free

 

[Sneaky Pete]

Can anyone tell me how to decode the engine serial number? Specifically the two numbers that precede the final six digits, the serial number? On the site they are 30.

BTW, I was able to obtain the engine serial number from my dealer.

Thanks

As I understand (not 100 % sure) these 2 numbers designate the production plant of the engine. I believe (again not 100 % sure) 30 stands for Untertürkheim. So only the final six are of interest.

 

[DSSG]

As I understand (not 100 % sure) these 2 numbers designate the productionplant of the engine. I believe (again not 100 % sure) 30 stands for Untertürkheim.
So only the final six are of interest.

Thanks. Was just curious. My '10 SLK is way outside the range of vehicles with this problem. That's makes me happy, since I plan on keeping this car forever!:smile:

BTW, my dealer said that MB might provide some sort of help or assistance to owners that experience it. I'm not sure what that means, but one can always try?

I noticed there was a class action suit about it, but it failed in the court. A second attempt is being launched.

 

[ted]

Just had a look through all the reciepts that came with my car and there is one for this job being done in june 2013 for £1544 after a 50% discount from mercedes. Work was carried out at the supplying dealer where it has also always been seviced and mot'd. So at least a bit of financial help was given.

 

[DSSG]

My experience has been that most companies stand behind their products when the problem is due to some manufacturing defect. For example, I had a transmission go out due to a bad bearings. It lost all of its balls! It was a crummy part. The maker rebuilt the unit at no cost to me.

Many other concerns that owners have aren't addresses mainly because there isn't enough or any evidence of any fault or negligence by the company. This is especially true when the failed part or item has been in service for a long time or many miles. Was the part initially defective or did it just wear out?

Anyway, Mercedes holds itself to a higher standard than most auto makers when it says the best or nothing at all.

 

[Beekster]

Just had a look through all the reciepts that came with my car and there is one for this job being done in june 2013 for £1544 after a 50% discount from mercedes. Work was carried out at the supplying dealer where it has also always been seviced and mot'd. So at least a bit of financial help was given.

Then you're good to go! Once fixed this issue does not reoccur, since the new parts have been properly heat-treated. Keep the car serviced according to the manual, and you can expect another couple of hundred thousand miles out of it at the very least.

 

[Kevinuk]

Has there been a thread on how many members have experienced this problem and what MY their car was built ?

It would give a good indication just how widespread the issue is.

 

[Der Flieger]

It's actually quite rare and a lot of cars that had the problem have been "captured" by the recall. Did you get the Master Vehicle Inspection from MB for your car? Do you have your data card...to see if you even fall in the range? How many miles on your car?

 

[TomH]

It's actually quite rare and a lot of cars that had the problem have been "captured" by the recall. Did you get the Master Vehicle Inspection from MB for your car? Do you have your data card...to see if you even fall in the range? How many miles on your car?

There's a recall on this? Meaning the manufacturer will replace the balancer shaft for free? That's not something I've found anywhere else. Do you have any links that reference this recall?

 

[efair]

AFAIK there is no recall, and the class action lawsuit in the US from a few years ago was dismissed.

I don't think this failure is "rare" but it is true that many, many of the affected engines never exhibit any timing issues.

 

[marktrue]

There is NO RECALL. Mercedes has picked up some of the repair bill on some repairs out of warranty as a good will gesture, but my understanding it is only done for the original owners, not for owners who purchased second hand, or even as a CPO.

 

[Der Flieger]

My bad... I was thinking of the other camshaft related recalls...

 

[Kevinuk]

Looks like mine is in the effected range 2006 build year engine number 272942 30 406393

It's done 47k miles

 

[TomH]

As mentioned in another thread, I have an SLK-280 that has come up with these dreaded codes and is now confirmed by a mechanic to have the alignment issues. I am being told it is not in imminent danger of a catastrophic failure or engine damage, but that it should be driven gently until the problem is fixed.

So here's the big question. It's supposed to be a surprise xmas present for my wife, and I can't get the work done before xmas. Am I putting the car at risk by driving it back home, letting her see it on xmas day, and then taking it back to have it serviced? I'd hate to miss the chance to see her face when she sees the car on xmas day, but Ruining the car would be too hihg of a price to pay.

Thanks in advance for your feedback.

 

[Beekster]

Tom, you're probably safe driving it sedately home and back again...after all, it's gone this far without a problem and the way this one manifests itself isn't instant and catastrophic. Certainly avoid freeway speeds, heavy throttle, and high revs, but a few more miles before surgery probably won't make it materially worse.

While it's apart, have you thought about the 2010-onward Sport intake manifold from the 350? The manifold has to come off anyway, and as I understand it the new one flows better...more power.

 

[mchild]

As mentioned in another thread, I have an SLK-280 that has come up with these dreaded codes and is now confirmed by a mechanic to have the alignment issues. I am being told it is not in imminent danger of a catastrophic failure or engine damage, but that it should be driven gently until the problem is fixed.

So here's the big question. It's supposed to be a surprise xmas present for my wife, and I can't get the work done before xmas. Am I putting the car at risk by driving it back home, letting her see it on xmas day, and then taking it back to have it serviced? I'd hate to miss the chance to see her face when she sees the car on xmas day, but Ruining the car would be too hihg of a price to pay.

Thanks in advance for your feedback.

I tend to agree with Beekster that another few east miles should not be a problem. But, having said that, you should understand where your engine is in the cycle of premature wearing of the balance shaft gear. The camshafts self adjust to keep themselves properly timed. As the balance shaft gear has been wearing the camshafts have been adjusting to compensate for the excessive wear. The reason you now have the CEL from the fault codes is because the camshafts are outside of the range in which they can adjust due to the now excessive wear of the balance shaft gear.

So that you know, there have been instances when the engine ran for 100's of miles after the CEL was lit and in other instances only a few miles.

Hope your wife enjoys her Christmas present.

 

[joemackem]

I'm another that falls in this engine range and I had my engine oil changed as a part of a "B" service back in May/June this year and he didn't mention any swarf when draining. I also had the CEL light come on not long after I bought it back in early April this year (P0015 'B' camshaft position - timing over retarded bank 1). As I believe they swopped the sensor from bank 1 to bank 2 to determine if it was a dodgy sensor or the actual camshaft was at fault. Not had the CEL light on since and I've had my mini OBDII in and it didn't throw up any codes.....

Cheers

Joe

 

[touringsteve]

Read a bit about it but nothing on how and where is the OBDII installed?