272/273 timing gear wear problems!!

Alex Crow

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i have not read or heard anything about this problem before so i thought i would share it with you all.

certain versions of the 272/273 generation v-engines have a problem with timing gear wear, that is excessive wear of the gear mounted in the center of the 'v'. on the 272 this gear is used to drive a balance shaft, and on the 273 it is simply an idler gear. it is an issue with 'high mileage cars' - ie mileages over perhaps 40,000 (no, not exactly high, i know)

the issue is to do with the material used for the gears, and MB have changed the manufacture of the parts in question. the gears wear over time causing incorrect timing of the o/s camshafts in particular. the first the driver knows of the problem is the illumination of the MIL. a short test reveals codes p1200 & p1208 to do with camshaft position, if the codes are current and/or recur quickly after erasing it is recomended to check the ignition timing. this is fairly easily done on the o/s bank by removing the cam position sensors and observing the position of markings on the pulse wheels.

if it is deemed that a vehicle is suffering this scenario then there is a repair kit available which includes a gear/balance shaft (as appropriate), tensioner and oil pump as well as camshaft positioner solenoids. to replace these parts on a 272 is a big job, requiring engine removal followed by sump, g.box and front timing case removal and associated work.

MB are aware of the problem and have information available to dealers, which is marked 'strictly confidential'. don`t expect them to be very chatty about it, a bit like the self destructing 112 240 engines.

i diagnosed and repaired one a few months back now and all has been fine since, but i though i would share it with one and all here and make it 'google-able' ;) for anyone trying to research the fault codes in future.
 

Cole@MBS

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Seen one once before A/P.

Teeth completly worn of balance shaft.

Stupid engine to time up again!!
 

television

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Thanks Alex for that info,,and nice to know, it is a bit like 271 heads where the info put out was kept very secret, and the words like "see if the customer will cough up a few £k towards it"
 

luders79

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Thanks Alex for that info,,and nice to know, it is a bit like 271 heads where the info put out was kept very secret, and the words like "see if the customer will cough up a few £k towards it"

what was the probelms with the 271 heads if you dont mind me asking???? is there a documents anywhere??
 

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There were casting problems with the valve seats and they cracked,, this meant that new heads were needed.

I do have some details somewhere,,see what I can find
 

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I have found it,,I can send it to you with an E mail address
 
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Alex Crow

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they suffered poor machining of the valve seats in our experience. there is a wis document that owns up to it now, it recommends new valves, seats and guides. however we have done two now that were entrusted to the local engine machinists (scholar engineering in suffolk - real time served engineers and engine tuners). we simply did the diagnosis/spannering and delivered the heads to them for analysis. in their opinion it was simply a matter of poor, incorrect or non existent seat facing. they refaced the valves and cut the seats and these customers have had no problems since!
 

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I have sent it,,sorry for the delay
 

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Balance Shaft

How can I get my hands on a copy of this strictly confidential document? If I can not get a copy, could you post some of the text included in the document?
 
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Alex Crow

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the document will not help you, it just details this fault. if you let me know what other info you need i will post it here, but my first post pretty much covers it all.

do you have the dreaded 1200 and 1208 codes?

i did one of these lovely jobs for a forum member's E350 several months ago, all is still well with that one.
 

suds4333

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Information

I have a class action case filed against Mercedes Benz USA and I am looking for any additional information I can get. I have spoken to 100's of people with this issue. So any additional you have is would be great. Do you know when the document from Mercedes came out about this issue?
 
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Alex Crow

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not sure what the date and doc numbers are, but will get back to you.

have MB admitted this as a 'known fault'? if not, i can see why you want the document!
 
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Alex Crow

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suds433, the 'topic number' of the document is GI03.30-P-044614 dated 10-27-2008

in the document there is no specific mention of design flaws or inappropriate materials etc, and no i cannot copy the document for you as i do not have it. email me if you require further help.
 

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There is a facebook page with lots of info on it, mainly our American cousins posting,but there is a German page too, which I can't read with my school girl German!

It details all the affected engine numbers.
 

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