Mercedes CLK 350 V6
Discussion
Evening all,
I have been looking for something to use at weekends and have a bit of fun with and after a lot of options I settled on a really nice 2005 V6 350 CLK Cabriolet. I picked it up a few days ago and it has a very comprehensive service history (although I am aware of the dreaded "balance shaft" issues!!)
I will be making a list of jobs that need to be done but the first 2 are to carry out the check to see if I have the balancer issues and also diagnose an issue at the O/S/R wheel area which is a "rattle" which sounds like something is loose and rattles even when idle.
I will try and post some pics but initial impressions are that it is a fantastic car and I hope to enjoy it until of course it explodes in a ball of flames and costs me twice the value of the car to fix it!!!
RL
I have been looking for something to use at weekends and have a bit of fun with and after a lot of options I settled on a really nice 2005 V6 350 CLK Cabriolet. I picked it up a few days ago and it has a very comprehensive service history (although I am aware of the dreaded "balance shaft" issues!!)
I will be making a list of jobs that need to be done but the first 2 are to carry out the check to see if I have the balancer issues and also diagnose an issue at the O/S/R wheel area which is a "rattle" which sounds like something is loose and rattles even when idle.
I will try and post some pics but initial impressions are that it is a fantastic car and I hope to enjoy it until of course it explodes in a ball of flames and costs me twice the value of the car to fix it!!!
RL
Re balance shaft:
I think it throws the variable cam timing out. You get fault codes relating to this. Of course, if you ignored it and the chain fell off it would wreck the engine as the cams stop going round.
I bought mine because it had already had the balance shaft done the year before. Local MB independent specialist with a bit of goodwill on the invoice, but still £2K. I'm hoping the new shaft is going to last...
I agree, though, it does waft along very nicely. Also capable of a stabbed rat impression if you poke it. Only downside is low 20's mpg.
I think it throws the variable cam timing out. You get fault codes relating to this. Of course, if you ignored it and the chain fell off it would wreck the engine as the cams stop going round.
I bought mine because it had already had the balance shaft done the year before. Local MB independent specialist with a bit of goodwill on the invoice, but still £2K. I'm hoping the new shaft is going to last...
I agree, though, it does waft along very nicely. Also capable of a stabbed rat impression if you poke it. Only downside is low 20's mpg.
Red Leader said:
It really is a lovely thing to drive....do you mind me asking if you know the cost of that work...and also what were the symptoms prior to failure?
Yes, very nice.The cost is generally in the £1200 to £2500 range, depending on where you go and whether you have the timing chain and/or oil pump replaced (recommend). I'm going to perform the job so the cost to me is just parts - £650ish.
To check if an engine is in the affected range use
http://www.mercedesmedic.com/check-my-mercedes-ben... - basically all pre-2008 280, 350, and 500 (5.5) engines are affected, though at least one engine has reached 130k before failure, and one at 13k(!). The norm from 60k upwards.
Symptoms of failure are an EML and the codes explained in the above link. I don't rely on codes and check using this method: https://youtu.be/XXQArmxXsnM - that gives me an idea of wear before it's started to reach the stage of triggering even a 'pending' DTC code.
mwstewart said:
Yes, very nice.
The cost is generally in the £1200 to £2500 range, depending on where you go and whether you have the timing chain and/or oil pump replaced (recommend). I'm going to perform the job so the cost to me is just parts - £650ish.
To check if an engine is in the affected range use
http://www.mercedesmedic.com/check-my-mercedes-ben... - basically all pre-2008 280, 350, and 500 (5.5) engines are affected, though at least one engine has reached 130k before failure, and one at 13k(!). The norm from 60k upwards.
Symptoms of failure are an EML and the codes explained in the above link. I don't rely on codes and check using this method: https://youtu.be/XXQArmxXsnM - that gives me an idea of wear before it's started to reach the stage of triggering even a 'pending' DTC code.
That's really helpful thanks. I dont have the skills to do it myself as I believe it's an engine out job but I bought the car at a reasonable enough price. It's on 93k at the moment so I will buy myself a code reader and perform the check. The cost is generally in the £1200 to £2500 range, depending on where you go and whether you have the timing chain and/or oil pump replaced (recommend). I'm going to perform the job so the cost to me is just parts - £650ish.
To check if an engine is in the affected range use
http://www.mercedesmedic.com/check-my-mercedes-ben... - basically all pre-2008 280, 350, and 500 (5.5) engines are affected, though at least one engine has reached 130k before failure, and one at 13k(!). The norm from 60k upwards.
Symptoms of failure are an EML and the codes explained in the above link. I don't rely on codes and check using this method: https://youtu.be/XXQArmxXsnM - that gives me an idea of wear before it's started to reach the stage of triggering even a 'pending' DTC code.
I'm only doing 4k a year and it's a 3rd car so it makes it a bit easier...I'll load up some pics soon. Be interested to see yours if you have any
RL
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