2007 ML 350 question - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

Zig Freed · #1 07-04-2020, 07:37 PM

I have a 2007 ML350 that has an engine serial number way beyond the troubled camshaft balancer that is supposed to need attention. My number is 30 612083. The threshold for the bad engine numbers is 30 468993. My car was made in April of 2007.

The dealer told me it would be $5,000 to do the balancer and all the stuff. The car runs fine and makes no noise at all. 185,000 miles. The check engine light is on.

Is it possible, as I have seen in some videos, that this could be a misreading of the P0017 and P0016 codes? Could it be the magnetic sensors and/or the pickup sending units?

They would not check with a borescope.

Thank you,
Zig Freed

tjts1 · #2 07-05-2020, 12:01 PM

Take it to an independent MB mechanic.

pawoSD · #3 07-05-2020, 01:44 PM

P0017 and P0016 is cam pickup sensors most likely, but suspicious that its throwing both...usually its only one at a time. Both might mean the chain is wearing/stretched beyond spec.

However, my dad's 2007 E350 wagon had an engine beyond the S/N range of failures too and it needed the full sprocket/chain replacement at approx 115k miles. He lucked out because the dealer sold it to him due to a mixup (was supposed to go to auction) and they ended up eating the repair.

About 10k miles later we had to replace ALL the cam pickup sensors from the codes you mentioned appearing over and over. About a year after that the code came back and we swapped them around (left to right) and its been off since.

I am not a fan of the M272 after having worked on them many times.... M112/M113 are WAY better motors.

Zig Freed · #4 07-05-2020, 04:49 PM

Drove the ML350 last night and no check engine light at all. Had been on for a week after leaving the MB dealer. I cranked it up in the driveway and noticed no light. I had the windows down and no AC on. I drove it for a couple of miles and turned it off. Cranked it up again and no CEL. Did this for three or four times. Not on at all. If it were the balance shaft and chain it is my understanding that the light would appear and not go off.

pawoSD · #5 07-05-2020, 10:08 PM

Not necessarily, it would come and go on my dad's wagon too when it needed the chain/balance shaft work. It depended on outside temperature and engine temp. A few cooler trips/short trips would turn it off, but a long drive would trigger it again.