[haus24]

Hi guys,
This is my first post. I have the above notes for fault codes on my '08 CLK350. I want to emphasize that the engine number is outside of the noted dreaded balance shift issues. I pulled the codes from my iCarsoft i980. I have reset the CEL and the codes have persisted (P0016 Crankshaft Position - Camshaft Position Correslation Bank 1 Sensor A and P0017 Crankshaft Position - Camshaft Position Correlation Bank 1 Sensor B). Also noting, I have zero performance issues, maybe a slight shake at idle.

To me this indicates a problem with the sensors? But I have also read a lot about the Cam Magnets?

My wife stopped for in for 5 mins at my local independent Merc specialist, and he tells us that when plugged into the Mercedes SDS system, it is definitely a timing chain issue and that will cost $2100. I am struggling with this diagnosis as the car only has 140,000 km's.

Some help would be very much appreciated. Thanks guys

 

[rudeney]

I have heard of engines outside the problem range still having balance shaft failure. It's rare, but I guess it can still happen. Also, a stretched timing chain can throw those same codes. Again, that is not common, but it's mechanical and mechanical things can fail.

 

[haus24]

I have heard of engines outside the problem range still having balance shaft failure. It's rare, but I guess it can still happen. Also, a stretched timing chain can throw those same codes. Again, that is not common, but it's mechanical and mechanical things can fail.

Thanks @rudeney for your input.
Is it worthwhile steering the indy mechanic to start with the sensors, or just take the indy mechanic at his word and consider the timing chain? I must admit, without the mechanic getting under the hood, this diagnosis makes me pretty uncomfortable.

 

[Benzyle]

If it were me , given no faults with performance ,,no noises ,,,I would not be jumping in to spend $2100..and have major surgery, which can have complications and side effects.
Maybe get a second opinion...and /or ,,replace the sensors.
After that ,,see what happens ...maybe replace the timing chain tensioner..
Keep changing oil every 8000 km.
If you experience chain noise or engine performance issues ,,then it is more critical to act ,,

 

[Paul600600]

If it were me , given no faults with performance ,,no noises ,,,I would not be jumping in to spend $2100..and have major surgery, which can have complications and side effects.
Maybe get a second opinion...and /or ,,replace the sensors.
After that ,,see what happens ...maybe replace the timing chain tensioner..
Keep changing oil every 8000 km.
If you experience chain noise or engine performance issues ,,then it is more critical to act ,,

I agree with Benzyle, did you get a printout of the sds scan?

Sent from my SM-G892A using Tapatalk

 

[rudeney]

I have never seen camshaft position sensors or the camshaft adjuster solenoids cause these errors - they have their own codes. I would not bother trying to replace them, but I would take Benzyle's advice and try a new timing chain tensioner. That is simple and fairly inexpensive and can buy some time if the chain is stretched. If that doesn't fix it, then it probably is a bad balance shaft sprocket.

 

[haus24]

I have never seen camshaft position sensors or the camshaft adjuster solenoids cause these errors - they have their own codes. I would not bother trying to replace them, but I would take Benzyle's advice and try a new timing chain tensioner. That is simple and fairly inexpensive and can buy some time if the chain is stretched. If that doesn't fix it, then it probably is a bad balance shaft sprocket.

@rudeney, I re-ran the scanner and pulled the DTC 1200 and 1208. I have seen you post on other threads, that this points to a worn sprocket. My question is can the balance shaft and timing chain still be in proper working order and I would just have to replace the worn sprocket and maybe the timing chain tensioner as suggested above?

 

[RLarryT]

Hey Rudeney, this is just a "Hello" and "Thank you" note. We miss you at the other place. All the best to you.....

 

[rudeney]

@rudeney, I re-ran the scanner and pulled the DTC 1200 and 1208. I have seen you post on other threads, that this points to a worn sprocket. My question is can the balance shaft and timing chain still be in proper working order and I would just have to replace the worn sprocket and maybe the timing chain tensioner as suggested above?

It's not really the "balance shaft" that is the problem. It is the idler sprocket for the timing chain. On the V6 that sprocket is forged onto the balance shaft and is both and idler and the drive gear for the balance shaft. You must replace the entire balance shaft to repair it. The V8 has no balance shaft, so it is just a sprocket replacement on it. And those error pretty much point to the failure of that idler sprocket. I really think that with those codes, the sprocket is worn. Are you sure you car has its original engine? And have you checked the VIN to verify the as-built engine serial number? You can also find the engine serial number "laser engraved" on the edge of the bell housing. It's hard to see, but you would look down behind the oil dipstick to find it there. Of course even if it is truly beyond the known problem range, it still could just be a random failure. Mechanical parts will fail.

 

[haus24]

It's not really the "balance shaft" that is the problem. It is the idler sprocket for the timing chain. On the V6 that sprocket is forged onto the balance shaft and is both and idler and the drive gear for the balance shaft. You must replace the entire balance shaft to repair it. The V8 has no balance shaft, so it is just a sprocket replacement on it. And those error pretty much point to the failure of that idler sprocket. I really think that with those codes, the sprocket is worn. Are you sure you car has its original engine? And have you checked the VIN to verify the as-built engine serial number? You can also find the engine serial number "laser engraved" on the edge of the bell housing. It's hard to see, but you would look down behind the oil dipstick to find it there. Of course even if it is truly beyond the known problem range, it still could just be a random failure. Mechanical parts will fail.

Thanks @rudeney, your attention and contribution to this forum is a god send when someone is facing these challenges.

I got the car back from my indy mechanic and he mentioned that although there are no physical symptoms in how the car runs / drives (currently), the CEL is on (and will remain on until fixed), as the issue with the balance shaft (and / or sprocket) or timing chain has just started presenting itself and will have to be fixed eventually . He removed the sensors and found nearly perfect alignment (of the adjusters?) after turning the crankshaft. They did not remove rocker cover of the engine to look at the sprocket (or do boroscope inspection?) to physically see the "damage", but his opinion is that if it is outside of the affected engine recall range it shouldn't be the balance shaft /sprocket (and the SDS machine points to timing chain malfunction).If this was the case my understanding is that it would throw codes on both the left and the right engine cylinder bank?

Also, my understanding is that you can't really test for a stretched timing chain (as it is millimetres off) until it is pulled out and measured (Engine would present symptoms) ? When you are doing that work you can see the "damaged" sprocket if that was the case?

I did a PPI with my Indy before buying the car and nothing sinister presented itself. I am 95% sure it's the original engine, but may have to double check.

No idea what the next steps are, car presents amazing and is probably worth $18K AUD if it is fixed. I think the prelim estimate was $2100 AUD to do the timing chain and $4800 AUD for the balance shaft repair. Next steps from anyone would be very appreciated. Thanks all.

 

[rudeney]

You might try replacing the chain tensioner. Sometimes that can help, but it may be a temporary fix.

 

[Socalpathfinder]

Hi guys,
This is my first post. I have the above notes for fault codes on my '08 CLK350. I want to emphasize that the engine number is outside of the noted dreaded balance shift issues. I pulled the codes from my iCarsoft i980. I have reset the CEL and the codes have persisted (P0016 Crankshaft Position - Camshaft Position Correslation Bank 1 Sensor A and P0017 Crankshaft Position - Camshaft Position Correlation Bank 1 Sensor B). Also noting, I have zero performance issues, maybe a slight shake at idle.

To me this indicates a problem with the sensors? But I have also read a lot about the Cam Magnets?

My wife stopped for in for 5 mins at my local independent Merc specialist, and he tells us that when plugged into the Mercedes SDS system, it is definitely a timing chain issue and that will cost $2100. I am struggling with this diagnosis as the car only has 140,000 km's.

Some help would be very much appreciated. Thanks guys

@haus24: I wonder what and how did you end up with fixing or giving up on this car? I have very similar issue: car run without any negative sign or symptom at all--except for codes 1208/1200 kept coming, CEL illuminated every few days. Will do 305/seal check next to see if they are centered.