CLK 200 Timing Chain - Known Problem?

[Wighty]

Quick update, my CLK is now with Howard Engineering in Dublin for the repair. I will let you know how it goes. Will take max 2 weeks.

Hi Oldsteel ..that would be much appreciated

 

[kishni]

Sadly, it is a common problem and it's not difficult to find many examples of timing chain problems on these 271 engines, many at around your mileage.

I had one that was just starting to rattle on cold starts at just under 70k, but got rid of it before it became an issue.

It is too late for yours now, but that rattle on a cold start is an often ignored early warning!

Ernie

Hi There
It seems that I’m lucky to do maintenance of my C 180 2009 with 60 000 miles at Mercedes garage. I just got warning that I have to replace my timing chain pack with price of 1500 euro. That problem started with 124 model and I taught that problem was solved.

 

[LostKiwi]

Hi There
It seems that I’m lucky to do maintenance of my C 180 2009 with 60 000 miles at Mercedes garage. I just got warning that I have to replace my timing chain pack with price of 1500 euro. That problem started with 124 model and I taught that problem was solved.

The 124 models used a totally different engine...?

 

[oldsteel]

New chain, sprockets, variator and various head bits

Got my CLK200 back yesterday from Howard Engineering in Dublin. They have done a good job it seems, drove back to Cork (2.5 hrs) no problems. Cost - €3.5k or about £3k. Had a good chat with the owner there, he said he has done many M271s, and confirmed the slight rattle on a cold start is the only warning. That said, I could have saved mine at the rough idle stage if I had stopped there and then and changed the chain. I guess not many would though, there are other causes of rough idle. He also said he did one with only 50k miles on the clock that had been fully dealer serviced. If I still have the car after another 50k miles and all else is OK I might do the chain once more.
Further advice from him, change oil and filter at less than the Merc intervals, especially if you do a lot of short journeys. I suggested 10k miles and he said that would be the max, and always use fully synth oil.
All said though, poor experience with my first Merc . Why haven't they at the very least redesigned the failing sprockets???

 

[Wighty]

Thanks Oldsteel for the update , glad it's working again . I'm at 50k and all is quiet on start up , given the cost of replacing everything as a preventative measure I'm going to probably wait until I hear anything worrying on start up.....I'm hoping that what we hear on the forum is the horror stories and that the vast majority of theses 271 engines have no problems until much higher mileage than mine , especially as it's only doing about 5k a year now . Fingers crossed .

 

[LostKiwi]

I think there is an element of truth there. Forums are great places fro highlighting issues which in reality affect a fairly small number of vehicles (as a global %age)

 

[oldsteel]

Of course, I guess although 'known' this may not be a common problem. Best of luck to all CLK owners!

 

[Amr Elagizi]

Folks, its seems I caught the same issue with timing belt warning sign and rattling in cold mornings. Waiting for my specialist to call me. Would not that be known issue with Merc and they should offer some if not full repair value.

 

[LostKiwi]

Folks, its seems I caught the same issue with timing belt warning sign and rattling in cold mornings. Waiting for my specialist to call me. Would not that be known issue with Merc and they should offer some if not full repair value.

It's not unknown on the forums. You'll get nothing from MB.

 

[Wighty]

Folks, its seems I caught the same issue with timing belt warning sign and rattling in cold mornings. Waiting for my specialist to call me. Would not that be known issue with Merc and they should offer some if not full repair value.

What mileage have you got buddy ?

 

[Amr Elagizi]

100miles

 

[LostKiwi]

100miles

I'm assuming you mean 100,000.
MB won't pay anything for a 10 year old car with 100,000 miles. That will be classed as wear and tear I'm afraid.

 

[Chilearbitor]

Im thinking of buying a 2001 CLK 230 Kompressor Cabriolet, model Avantgarde. 125000 km they private seller doesn't think the timing chain has ever been looked at. Any advice ?

 

[Wighty]

Im thinking of buying a 2001 CLK 230 Kompressor Cabriolet, model Avantgarde. 125000 km they private seller doesn't think the timing chain has ever been looked at. Any advice ?

Only that it’s not an M271 engine

 

[Chilearbitor]

Only that it’s not an M271 engine

How can I check?

 

[LostKiwi]

How can I check?

It's 2001. The m271 wasn't used till 2002.

Get a VIN decode and look for the engine number. First three numbers will be the engine type (probably 111).

 

[Flyinspanner]

It's 2001. The m271 wasn't used till 2002.

Get a VIN decode and look for the engine number. First three numbers will be the engine type (probably 111).

First 3 numbers of the VIN will be the model ie 209….

 

[LostKiwi]

First 3 numbers of the VIN will be the model ie 209….

Vin decode has the engine number. First three numbers of that are the engine type.

 

[Chilearbitor]

So as long as its not an M271 it should be OK ish?

 

[LostKiwi]

The M111 and M112 engines are solid reliable engines.
The 271 is a good engine but can have issues. Most are fine, some are not.