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Balance-Shaft / Timing Gear issues ...VIN Decode

178K views 881 replies 231 participants last post by  karayjay 
#1 ·
Maybe buying a CLK for my girlfriend.

Is there anyone that can decode the VIN for me?

WDBTK56F87T088271
__________________________________________________

Moderator Note:

We are using this thread as a central location for VIN decode requests, particularly with respect to Balance-Shaft issues on the CLK350 'M272' V6 engine (and timing chain idler gear issues for the CLK550 'M273' V8).

Until late 2007 / early 2008 Model Year (depending on the market) these two engines were equipped with certain flawed components as noted above. Note that these are the only two engines thus affected, and the vast majority are from late 2005 through 2007. The rate of actual failure is difficult to confirm--many 'affected' engines have gone 100K miles without incident--but, all other things equal, purchasers are nonetheless advised to steer clear of affected models (indicated by engine number as elaborated in this thread) unless the relevant repairs are documented. Read on!
 
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#46 ·
I am looking at a 2007 CLK350. Can somebody please help me decode the vin to see if it may have the balance shaft issue.

2007 MERCEDES-BENZ CLK 350
VIN: WDBTJ56H27F205667
COUPE
3.5L V6 FI DOHC 24V
REAR WHEEL DRIVE

Thanks sooo much in advance. I tried doing it myself but didn't get very far!
 
#53 ·
Newbie

Ok, ok I have stopped lurking and decided to join! I have been contemplating the purchase of my first MB for about a year now and have been watching and learning a great deal...thanks everyone; you guys have a great forum community! After much research, I have decided to purchase a '05 CLK500 but, I cannot for the life of me figure out the Balance shaft issue and whether this car is affected.... so here is the VIN WDBTK75G35T046240 Now the engine reports back as 113968 30 637798 So, I am not sure of it is affected?

After running the VIN, I have a few questions... What is the 'EQUIPMENT PACKAGE FOR AVANTGARDE VEHICLES' and 'PAINTWORK - PRESERVATION' from the datacard mean?

Further, the car has approx 53K and the asking price is around 19K, the owner says it just had the 'A' service and a brake flush. The owner tells me the only thing missing as far as options is the Sat radio....any insight as to price and reliability of this model and engine/transmission combo? Thanks in advance!
 
#54 ·
Ok, ok I have stopped lurking and decided to join! I have been contemplating the purchase of my first MB for about a year now and have been watching and learning a great deal...thanks everyone; you guys have a great forum community! After much research, I have decided to purchase a '05 CLK500 but, I cannot for the life of me figure out the Balance shaft issue and whether this car is affected.... so here is the VIN WDBTK75G35T046240 Now the engine reports back as 113968 30 637798 So, I am not sure of it is affected?

After running the VIN, I have a few questions... What is the 'EQUIPMENT PACKAGE FOR AVANTGARDE VEHICLES' and 'PAINTWORK - PRESERVATION' from the datacard mean?

Further, the car has approx 53K and the asking price is around 19K, the owner says it just had the 'A' service and a brake flush. The owner tells me the only thing missing as far as options is the Sat radio....any insight as to price and reliability of this model and engine/transmission combo? Thanks in advance!
I'm not the expert but what I have read here is that the clk500 is the M113 engine. The engines affected are the M272 and M273 engines for the CLK's(350 and 550). You are good to go.
 
#62 ·
It really has nothing to do with the year - it has everything to do with the engine serial number. It's unlikely that any of the affected M272 engines made it into MY2008 vehicles. However, I believe there are some instances of affected M273 engine in some MY2008 vehicles. But again, you can't go by year - only by engine serial number.
 
#64 ·
You are safe, for the 273 engine it was up to serial number 2739..30 088611
 

Attachments

#66 ·
You are OK this is not an affected engine;
 

Attachments

#68 ·
Engine Serial Number

I've had my 2008 CLK350 for about a year now and love it. I haven't heard anything about the engine problems until I started reading the forums, and now I'm curious to know if mine is affected. Would you please check my VIN WDBTJ56H48F244973? Many thanks.
 
#74 ·
Bad one. Sorry
 
#75 ·
I don't mind running VINs. But if you are interested in doing this yourself, its quite easy really. Go to

http://epc.startekinfo.com/epc/

Sign up for a free account. Once you login and open the program, you can click "Datacard" at the top and see the engine number as well as an option list for the car. In addition, you can also view exploded parts diagrams and get any part number you wish.

Hope this helps.
 
#257 ·
I don't mind running VINs. But if you are interested in doing this yourself, its quite easy really. Go to

EPC-net Online

Sign up for a free account. Once you login and open the program, you can click "Datacard" at the top and see the engine number as well as an option list for the car. In addition, you can also view exploded parts diagrams and get any part number you wish.

Hope this helps.
I may have to skip ahead in the thread for the answer to this but this site won t let me subscribe, either free or paid. Thanks. Just an FYI in case others are having the same problem.
 
#78 ·
Here is the decode;
 

Attachments

#81 ·
It has a 113 engine, so no problems, 113943 30 286909
 
#83 ·
Picking up a 2007 CLK 350 tomorrow. VIN WDBTJ56H77F219399. Concerned about balance shaft. Great forum! Can someone help me decode this vin and tell me if the engine number is in the range for balance shaft problem? Thank you.
Engine # is 272960 30 534118 so no problem.
 
#86 ·
Here is the decode;
 

Attachments

#87 ·
The vin was correct, but simply does not compute with the Russian site. I see this quite often and have to use EPC.
 
#92 ·
This is a 112 engine and not a 272 so no problems.
 
#93 ·
You have a 113 engine so no problems.
 
#98 ·
Название val
fin WDBTJ56H77F219399
vin WDB2093561F219399
whc WDB
chassbm 209356
chass_ident 1F219399
type 209
subbm1 356
subbm2
auxiliary_drive
body
body_code
delivery_date 061127
engine 272960 30 534118
front_axle1
front_axle2 AL066061105326
heater
interior 818A
lights
model_idx 0
odometer
order_num1 0771577800
paint1 775U
paint2
paint3
paint4
paint5
platform
production_num1 3501387
production_order_ref N
rear_axle1
rear_axle2
release_date 061127
retarder 8 061127
rims
service_num
steering
trailer
transfer_case
transmission 722906 00 994007
vin_dc TJ56H77F219399
vinwhc
winch
wiper

Code Текст
07Q Unknown
212B OWNERS MANUAL AND SERVICE RECORD - AMERICAN
213 PARAMETER STEERING
221B INFO PLATE, COOLANT - ENGLISH
232 Unknown
242 FRONT SEAT RH ELECTRIC ADJUSTABLE WITH MEMORY
249 AUTOMATICALLY DIPPING INSIDE REAR VIEW MIRROR
264 LICENSE PLATE ATTACHMENT AMERICA
265 LINES-NO.PLATE DISCONTINUED
275 MEMORY PACKAGE (DRIVER SEAT, STRG. COL., MIRROR)
284B Unknown
301 Unknown
359 Unknown
387 Unknown
414 ELECTRIC TILT/SLIDE SUNROOF IN GLASS VERSION
427 AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION 7-SPEED
461 INSTRUMENT WITH MILES IND. AND ENGLISH LEGEND
486 Unknown
494 VERSION FOR USA
524 PAINTWORK - PRESERVATION
530 Unknown
536 Unknown
551 ANTI-THEFT/ANTI-BREAK-IN WARNING SYSTEM
573 Unknown
581 AUTOMATIC AIR CONDITIONER
600 HEADLAMPS - CLEANING EQUIPMENT
615 Unknown
619 XENON LIGHT UNIT - HEADLAMP DISCONTINUED
634 DELETION - FIRST AID KIT
636 DELETION - WARNING TRIANGLE
668 PACKAGING FOR SHIPPING VEHICLES WITH TIE-DOWN HOOK
673 HIGH-CAPACITY BATTERY
690 Unknown
736 Unknown
763 Unknown
7XXL NORTH AND SOUTH AMERICA
807 AEJ 06/1/M/X
810 SOUND SYSTEM
810A Unknown
819 CD CHANGER
873 SEAT HEATER FOR LEFT AND RIGHT FRONT SEATS
875 HEATED SCREEN WASH SYSTEM
951 Unknown
955 EQUIPMENT PACKAGE ELEGANCE
986 IDENTIFICATION PLATE (VIN NO.)
989 Unknown
K12 STEUERCODE FUER SERVICEINTERVALL
K14 Unknown
M35 DISPLACEMENT 3.5 LITER
P90 Unknown
775U Unknown
818A Unknown

Название Value
AF1SV
AF2SV
ENGSV
CASESV
AR1SV
AR2SV
TRANSSV
MTRSAC A2720102900
AF1SV
AF2SV
ENGSV
CASESV
AR1SV
AR2SV
TRANSSV
MTRSAC A2720102900
 
#101 ·
I seriously doubt they would. Even with the dreaded balance shaft issue, which is clearly a major manufacturing defect that costs over $4K to repair, MBZ has reject requests for "goodwill" repairs on vehicles with 90K miles. Honestly, if I were you, I'd replace it myself. It's not a terrible job. The radiator itself is around $250, but you will need to check the transmission fluid level afterward, which means buying some extra fluid, an infrared temp sensor, and a transmission dipstick. Your probably under $00 in parts and fluid as a DIY.
 
#103 ·
No, it will fail. In fact, even if it were the defective material, it would still eventually fail. A buddy recently services the timing gears and chain on his Ford F150 pickup truck with 250K miles. He said he was able to use his fingernails to break off the remaining slivers of metal on his timing gear that were pulling the chain. At that mileage, it;s not a "defect" but "normal wear and tear". I can't tell you when your will be in this condition, but it will happen. Is 150K too soon? I don't know, but I know 30K is, but 250K isn't.
 
#108 ·
Well, my water pump failed in October and they replaced the coolant and the thermostats as well. I should have asked them to replaced the radiator at the same time.

I found an indie who is a Sprinter specialist. Since Sprinters use 722.6 as well, I asked him to do my ATF pan flush and he did a very good job. Does anyone know of any similarities between the Sprinter and w209 radiators?
 
#105 ·
This car has the 112 and not 272 engine so no problems;

engine 112955 31 947589
 
#107 ·
No problems with this one

Could you decode vin WDBTK56F27F228877 and tell me if there are any problems?

Thanks Eric!
Название val
fin WDBTK56F27F228877
vin WDB2094561F228877
whc WDB
chassbm 209456
chass_ident 1F228877
type 209
subbm1 456
subbm2
auxiliary_drive
body
body_code
delivery_date 070323
engine 272960 30 622175
front_axle1
front_axle2 AL066070207199
heater
interior 801A
lights
model_idx 0
odometer
order_num1 0770513970
paint1 775U
paint2
paint3
paint4
paint5
platform
production_num1 3020013
production_order_ref N
rear_axle1
rear_axle2
release_date 070323
retarder 8 070323
rims
service_num
steering
trailer
transfer_case
transmission 722906 01 159551
vin_dc TK56F27F228877
vinwhc
winch
wiper

Code Текст
212B OWNERS MANUAL AND SERVICE RECORD - AMERICAN
221B INFO PLATE, COOLANT - ENGLISH
242 FRONT SEAT RH ELECTRIC ADJUSTABLE WITH MEMORY
264 LICENSE PLATE ATTACHMENT AMERICA
265 LINES-NO.PLATE DISCONTINUED
275 MEMORY PACKAGE (DRIVER SEAT, STRG. COL., MIRROR)
283 Unknown
284B Unknown
301 Unknown
359 Unknown
427 AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION 7-SPEED
461 INSTRUMENT WITH MILES IND. AND ENGLISH LEGEND
494 VERSION FOR USA
524 PAINTWORK - PRESERVATION
530 Unknown
551 ANTI-THEFT/ANTI-BREAK-IN WARNING SYSTEM
573 Unknown
581 AUTOMATIC AIR CONDITIONER
634 DELETION - FIRST AID KIT
636 DELETION - WARNING TRIANGLE
668 PACKAGING FOR SHIPPING VEHICLES WITH TIE-DOWN HOOK
673 HIGH-CAPACITY BATTERY
690 Unknown
731 WOOD TRIM BURRED WALNUT ROOT
740 BLACK SOFT TOP FABRIC 9001
763 Unknown
7XXL NORTH AND SOUTH AMERICA
807 AEJ 06/1/M/X
810A Unknown
873 SEAT HEATER FOR LEFT AND RIGHT FRONT SEATS
951 Unknown
955 EQUIPMENT PACKAGE ELEGANCE
986 IDENTIFICATION PLATE (VIN NO.)
989 Unknown
K12 STEUERCODE FUER SERVICEINTERVALL
K14 Unknown
M35 DISPLACEMENT 3.5 LITER
NA1 Unknown
NA5 Unknown
R52 Unknown
775U Unknown
801A Unknown

Название Value
AF1SV
AF2SV
ENGSV
CASESV
AR1SV
AR2SV
TRANSSV
MTRSAC A2720102900
AF1SV
AF2SV
ENGSV
CASESV
AR1SV
AR2SV
TRANSSV
MTRSAC A2720102900
 
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