I'd be surprised if the balance shaft teeth, even if they broke off, got into the combustion chamber. I'd expect to see them in the oil pan or maybe on the outside clogging up an oil passage. Your #1 plug damage probably has another source.

Hope you didn't spend a lot of money on it. The balance shaft repair is a $6000 job.

I would expect that an M272 engine from a 2008 would drop in and run. Not so sure about later ones. There is a definite engine serial number range that's susceptible to the balance shaft problem; if you get a replacement outside that range, you should be good.

 

To Jay



First, I'd like to thank you for your response, Jay. What do you think caused the mechanical damage to the spark lock? I'm just curious to hear your opinion. I now know that that the repair job would be very expensive, but thank God I didn't buy it at a really high price.

 

If you plan on getting it fixed because of the settlement the dealer will cover some of the repair. Probably less than 35% of the cost, but anything helps for sure. I'm with Jay on the replacement of the engine. A late 2007 should be out of the affected range for the balance shaft failure and up to a 2008 should be a direct drop in. That being said it really depends on if you got a steal of a deal on the car for how much $$$$$ you plan to invest. I typically tell people avoid anything produced from 2005 to 2007 that had the 272 or 273 engine unless you have paperwork that states the repair has already been done, or you have an agreement with the dealer that they will repair before you buy. A small local dealer has a 2006 at the independent who works on my car right now and they are paying for the repair before the customer buys the car.

 

To James



Thanks for the reply, James. I already went to the dealer, and they gave me a quote for the repair. It came to about $6,950. Of course, they refused to give me a discount because the car has more than 120,000 miles and is older than 10 years. I found an independent place to do the job that wants $2,500 without parts (which I find a fair price because I know it's a lot of work), but I'm still not sure if I should repair this engine or if I should install another. I'm trying to gather more information to make an informed decision. As I wrote in my response to Jay, I didn't spend too much money when I bought it. Something makes me think that it would be better to find a new engine. Do you have any information on how I can contact Hollander? Do you know of any other place that I can find an engine? I live in Chicago, Illinois.

 

Hollander currently has used engines with various mileage starting at 1999.99, but I would also take the cost of labor to install into account when making your choice.

 

Hollander is a used parts network that uses standardized numbers linking hundreds of salvage lots together.
https://www.hollanderparts.com/

I also search on Car-Part.com--Used Auto Parts Market a lot.

 

Hollander is a used parts network that uses standardized numbers linking hundreds of salvage lots together.
https://www.hollanderparts.com/

That is a sweet site!

 

Yes they pretty much have everything and if you search by zip code it will bring up the salvage yards closest to your home in case someone has it local. A lot of the yards on Hollander offer free local delivery to body shops, mechanics and such. Give it a whirl. If you choose to go the repair route its going to cost you about another 1k in parts as well.

 

Hello,
I am in literally in the EXACT same situation with my 2006 ML....what did you end up doing??

Paul

 

Paul, you have two choices, repair your eng. or get a used eng.

 

What to do?

The ML is at my mechanic for a failing Water Pump....due to the holiday he will not be working on it till next week. This gives me time to think about what I want to do. Does anyone know if a 2008 engine is direct drop in for a 2006? I found a 2009 and i was told that one was NOT.

 

What to do?

The ML is at my mechanic for a failing Water Pump....due to the holiday he will not be working on it till next week. This gives me time to think about what I want to do. Does anyone know if a 2008 engine is direct drop in for a 2006? I found a 2009 and i was told that one was NOT.

Any engine from 2006 to 2011 is ok, no problem. You can use a R350 engine also, is the same M272.9. 2010 and 2011 use a transmission updated but same engine.

 

Any body has try to replace the OEM stereo head unit from 2006 and replaced it with 2009-11? I know the 2009-11 has an extra plug or connector for the speakers, also a different display because different software.

 

Can I swap engine from 2009 Mercedes ml350 to 2006 Mercedes ml350 AWD? Seller not sure. Please help

 

All 2006-2008 were AWD. If the 2009 is not AWD, then transmission would be slightly different but engine should be a direct fit..