Things To Look Out For On An M272 Engine!!

Buying a used Mercedes-Benz C class W203 with the M272 engine? I explain and go over things to keep in mind and what to expect when it comes to maintaining these engines.
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[@nv1493]

Intake - correct about the need to change the oil separator regularly. The rods/linkage at the front actuators are plastic - sometimes folks replace them with metal parts. Not recommended because the plastic acts as sort of a safety valve if the metal intake tumbler flaps start to jam. They break first. If they are metal they can force a jammed tumbler valve to break. Bad news as the flap pieces get inside the cylinders. If there's a problem the best fix is replace the intake assembly. Check belt idler pulley and tensioner regularly, a common issue. Many 272 have a slight tap, especially right after cold start, at the passenger side front valve cover area. Usually not a problem but annoying. But be aware if the noise increases as this may indicate a cam follower issue. Usually the timing chains are ok. Cam sensor plugs sometimes weep oil inside, which can wick up into the harness. Remove and inspect at oil changes. MB also makes pigtails that can be installed to prevent harness damage.

[@HeyboysGarage]

Pinned this for top comment for everyone

[@fuffoon]

I take my 13 year old e-class to Mercedes for its annual every year, and the car is still like new. It seems to be the right place to go.

[@HeyboysGarage]

Thats good! and yes if you are willing to pay their overpriced budget versus at a European shop

[@ldcstudio5060]

thank you for this video. it’s very well done. your tone and pace are great, and the information is invaluable. i am considering a w209 whose engine serial number falls into the danger group. it’s hit over 180k miles, so i’m assuming that these issues have been addressed at some point for the engine to have survived this long. i will be looking for evidence and service history, though, regarding the areas you discussed. i currently have an s211 and s210 with the m112 engines, and i live in fulton county. my daughter and i do a lot of the maintenance on these ourselves. they are a breeze to work on. would love to talk shop with you some time if you have the time. keep up the great work, man. i’ve subscribed.

[@daveycrockett9447]

Thats a GREAT looking Mercedes!!!

[@HeyboysGarage]

The w203 chassis are beautiful!

[@umbrellahunk3949]

This is good information to know and I would want to keep better track of maintaining my W203 06 4Matic C280.

[@HeyboysGarage]

Yes! a catch can will be also helpfulll!

[@marcjohnson5148]

Thank you for this video

[@HeyboysGarage]

🤘🏾🤘🏾

[@WilliamTang-nx6ph]

Hi！Thank you for your sharing～ The engine oil leaking from oil cooler is also a common problem 😅.Just replace the gasket when they occurred😊.

[@HeyboysGarage]

I experienced that also, it’s pretty easy to get the gasket changed

[@lennylenzo4992]

I like ur advice bro cuz I've been experiencing some smoke coming out the back on high speed

[@HeyboysGarage]

I haven’t experienced that before! Do you have a check engine light for that??

[@daveycrockett9447]

New subscriber. Great Video. Thanks for sharing.

[@HeyboysGarage]

🤘🏾 🤘🏾

[@andreasb8232]

It's smart to change the cam plugs and PCV valve together

[@HeyboysGarage]

That’s correct!

[@kwameamoah824]

i have got the same engine in my c280 4matic, so far loving it. my check engine light is on so will send it to the shop to be scan and will keep you updated on that.

[@HeyboysGarage]

Yeah let me know what the update is when you get the chance

[@mohammedelawady2553]

thanks man you really covered almost everything but manifold is a disaster its very expensive part

[@HeyboysGarage]

The manifold is an expensive part. I did go with an aftermarket brand to see how long it will last. It was $250. We’ll see how long it will last. But if you take care off maintenance your intake manifold will last more than 100k miles! Keep an eye out on the crankcase vent valve drivers and passenger side and the oil drip pan

[@TheGamch]

The crankshaft bearings can be an issue. Telltale sign is a short, 2-3 second, knock on startup. Bearings have to be replaced with a larger size. HUGE job !

[@HeyboysGarage]

I didn't know! Maybe that would be part of the knocking sound it has once its warmed up. I have seen on a lot of forums from owner complain or ask about the sound. And a lot of people say its normal

[@FKN1990]

great vid =D I drive the 2008 w211 E280 and I had all of the Problems you mentioned in the vid...but you forgot the biggest problem of them all! The biggest Problem are the cylinder liners they tend to score and that will be expensive (9-12k where I live Germany)

[@HeyboysGarage]

Ahh I didn’t know that was a common issue. I can’t believe it’s not mentioned a lot on the m272 engines

[@peteryay4165]

aunque sea un comentario en español, el problema de que las camisas del cilindro se empiezen a rayar es por culpa del eje de equilibrio que esta defectuoso

[@HotMike]

All facts. The balance shaft gear gave up in mine. I replaced the entire engine with the '08 version you mentioned. My '06 C230 is fully sorted, now. Looking forward to a Stage 1 upgrade to improve both MPG and HP.

[@HeyboysGarage]

Nice! You should be good then for many thousands of miles with great maintenance. No modifications done just a stage 1 tune will be done right?

[@HotMike]

@@HeyboysGarage I'll, likely, do H&R springs and shocks. Nothing aggressive. I'm peepin' a staggered set of 19" MRR GF09 Silver wheels w/ Machined Face. Seen these on stanced E55 AMG's and they look amazing.🤩 If I do it right, the 19's will look great.👍🏾

[@JonTheTeaMan]

It’s a six minute video, these engines are solid if you keep up with oil changes (primarily). Thermostats, serpentine belts, tensioners, and more are a given.

[@jerryhardesty9993]

I ordered the cam plugs and PCV some call it the oil separator but Amazon keeps sending the wrong parts for my 2005 Mercedes c230k 1.8L. Do you have any suggestions on a part number?

[@Michael.Chapman]

Thank you--a great video--a new subscriber :-) On my M272 2005 E350 I've experienced the following check engine lamp issues: thermostat, flapper (requiring an entire new intake manifold) and catalytic convertor replacements. You can replace the plastic flapper with a metal unit which is supposed to be a permanent fix--but things went wrong when attempting this on my car. It's done 110,000 km (~60,000 miles) and I have oil and filter changed 6 monthly as a precaution to preserve the balance shaft drive cog defect. I too hope mine was replaced prior to my ownership :-) which began at 80,000 km... I'm currently facing an issue with the 7G-tronic transmission--it needs the conductor plate serviced. Occasionally the car won't select a gear from standstill (at normal operating temperature) or the transmission will not change to fourth or fifth gear, and feels as if there's slippage in the drive train, so the engine sits at 2500 rpm in third. At this point I pull off the road, turn the car off, remove the key, then restart. This has always fixed it. Serious problems (I believe) arise when you drive the car under those circumstances--the transmission will overheat and go into the dreaded LIMP mode to protect itself--and you can't fix that by a restart. I had the transmission fluid changed two years ago which seems to help but now must bite the bullet and have the plate done.

[@HeyboysGarage]

I have heard the oil changes doesn't work to Preserve the balance shaft. The way it was build will still eventually fail. I will change the conductor plate that will most likely solve the problem

[@person1113]

I think my conductor plate is acting up now, did replacement solve your issues? around how much did it cost you? please let me know, thanks

[@Michael.Chapman]

@@person1113 There is a good YT video on how this plate servicing is done (for background info). Also, the plates vary. My early plate apparently has embedded electronics, later ones don't and are easier to do (this info came from my mechanic--who removes the plate, etc and sends it to a nearby specialist shop for repairs). I imagine I'll be looking at an amount into the thousands to eventually have it done.

[@daveycrockett9447]

I have a Mercedes W204 C300. Just replaced my thermostat but my Engine Light is still on with the P0128 code. So working on replacing the Coolant Temp Sensor.... which is a pain in the @##$. Hopefully once I manager to get that changed out the code will clear.

[@HeyboysGarage]

I did mine yesterday! What a pain! I didn’t have a check engine light for that but I stopped getting the malfunction message for check coolant and washer fluid. The fan still kick in which I believe it’s due to a miscommunication with the from Sam Gateway

[@vannarith4990]

I'm like your Video 😅

[@HeyboysGarage]

Thank you! Hope to get more video on the cars

[@moetic6601]

Can this code be the cam flap adjustment? Or is this the intake manifold?

[@HeyboysGarage]

Which code are you referring to?

[@austinhenry5376]

What should I look into replacing with 132k miles on my w204

[@HeyboysGarage]

That’s kinda hard to give you an answer, because I’m not sure what service history you have done in the last 50k miles

[@Kodiak727]

So 10k miles oil change interval recommended by mb? Or sooner?

[@HeyboysGarage]

I would do it sooner. 7-8k miles is fine. Change the oil filter at 4,500 miles and again when you do the oil change

[@veskoi]

Hi, thank you for this video, but I saw something unusual in your car. In the beginning, you are talking and pointing cam bose. Behind it, there is a hose for braking booster vacuum, which in your car is isolated from the main vacuum. Why? Can you make a video about it and tell us more. Thank you in advance!

[@HeyboysGarage]

Honestly it might be setup to different if you have a different year than mine. And the car is sold. Don’t have it anymore

[@veskoi]

@@HeyboysGarage Hi, Which year was the car ? Why do you sold it if it is not a secret ?

[@mohammedelawady2553]

hey man how are you doing i have knocking sound when I move the gear stick to position R that sound was not existing before just appeared only after changed the gearbox oil

[@HeyboysGarage]

Do you have the 5 speed or 7 speed?

[@mohammedelawady2553]

@@HeyboysGarage 7g

[@mohammedelawady2553]

@@HeyboysGarage was not existing before I change gear box oil

[@HeyboysGarage]

@@mohammedelawady2553 you only drained from the drain plug correct? Not from the torque converter?

[@mohammedelawady2553]

@@HeyboysGarage its done by service center

[@NeOAnderson]

Hi I'm thinknig of a buying a used merc which unfortunately has the m272 engine and I've been reading a lot about the shaft balance issue. Is there anyway when I goto view the car that I can tell if the car has been fixed? Also was the balance shaft issue isolated to cars in the US or did it affect cars internationally?

[@HeyboysGarage]

Only thing is double checking with the owner if the balance shaft has been replaced. Or check for records. It affected cars in US and internationally

[@xan4o]

I also want to buy Merc with m272 engine. So far I found info that all engines with serial production number after 2729..30 468993 were been factory fixed. Probably there are some W203s with the fixed issue may be from the very last of the series. And for sure all W204 are produced with the fixed parts.

[@HeyboysGarage]

@@xan4o that’s is correct. Good research on your part. And yea w204 doesn’t have that problem

[@PapiJames123]

@@xan4ohow do I check serial production number?

[@xan4o]

Try to check online the desired vehicle VIN number. Some of the VIN checkers will show you engine serial number as well. But for your safety is best to look at for car produced not before 2008.

[@gaminggaminglast2723]

Can you make a vid about the m112 also a c32 v6 engine

[@HeyboysGarage]

I would say the m112 is a better engine than the m272 engine

[@davidramone3687]

Got a C320 2001 the best or nothing

[@gianfrancoa]

@@HeyboysGarage Yes, M112 is a bulletproof engine

[@mamonyatsilerata7334]

Where is the Power booster located on that M272 engine

[@HeyboysGarage]

What do you mean exactly?

[@victorgonzalez-ow2ro]

Thermostat is also a common problem

[@HeyboysGarage]

Did I forget to mention that??

[@yep3729]

@@HeyboysGarage also crankcase ventilation system on the driver side need to replace every 150K miles sonner would be better of course

[@HeyboysGarage]

@@yep3729 yes that I forgot about to mention! You are right!

[@daveycrockett9447]

@@HeyboysGarage Yes.. and good luck if you have to replace the coolant temp sensor on the very back driver side of the engine near the firewall. A royal pain in the @#$@#$ to change it.

[@HeyboysGarage]

@@daveycrockett9447 😭😭 I bought the part. Best advice to tackle this?

[@chriskenful]

Hi, I have a bit of a problem ⚠️ with my 2006 C 230 W203 engine. It started smoking 💨 after a recent oil change (Mobil 1 SW-40) oil grade as previously used by the first owner. And I also noticed the oil level had gone way ↕️ below half measuring from the dipstick. In the morning I see smoke 💨 coming out from the exhaust pipe and sometimes The engine starts to jerk and the check engine 🔆starts to flash for a few seconds and stops. Kindly advise what to do and what could be the likely remedy.

[@HeyboysGarage]

I would recommend looking at the crankcase vent valve and oil drip pan and replace them. Oil seems to come out there into the intake manifold when it's time to replace them. Simple google search will show you the parts

[@shawna7813]

Had the same issue after an oil change except for the check engine light and shaking. I used Liqui Moly "Oil Saver" and it solved the problem completely. Its most likely due to new oil getting by stiff, brittle rubber seals. Try that remedy before buying parts or taking it to a mechanic..

[@mohammedelawady2553]

how would i fix my hill start assist

[@HeyboysGarage]

What is that?

[@mohammedelawady2553]

@@HeyboysGarage function not to let car goes down on hill like upright position

[@axeljulio644]

I’m having this knocking/ticking noise from my M272 engine, C230, been reading throughout the internet and MOST people are having this issue but yet they keep it that way, keep it running without any other issue than a noisy ticking sound. Since nobody really knows which cause the ticking knocking sound. Do you think I should let the noise like other people do? Is it dangerous to let it be ?

[@HeyboysGarage]

Trust me you are not alone on this noise! Mine does that also. Sometimes it will do it and sometimes it doesn’t . It does it when I start driving. It sometimes does it when the car is fully warmed up and sometimes doesn’t when it’s warmed up. I have looked on the same forums as well and I read the same thing. I stopped worrying about it after talking to servals high Master tech mechanics and most say it’s either actuator or wear on the belt. But I honestly don’t know what it it

[@ianmoon5834]

0w 40 or 15w40 solved my problem with noise

[@shawna7813]

Just ignore it, they all run forever like that. Im at 234K and i get a light tapping sound sometimes At other times the engine will pur quietly. Cant figure it out, stopped worrying about it. Car runs smooth regardless...

[@imwon7]

i just bought w203 c230v m272 engine. you may help me

[@HeyboysGarage]

What do you need help with?

[@jimmydean2228]

So the runner flappers & balance shaft are for sure going to go bad ? What’s your opinion I have the same exact car with 135k miles and have done a good amount of work should I keep it for the long run ? Right now I’m having a issue where it’s making a weird thumping like noise only when the car sits overnight and sometimes some vibration/rough idling any idea what this could be ?? I have no check engine light

[@HeyboysGarage]

It could be motor mounts! Check on them. The runner flapper will last I very only time if you keep up with the important maintenance with that engine

[@jimmydean2228]

The motor mounts aren’t too bad & what’s some important maintenance for this engine ?? I’ve replaced the pcv valve/cam plugs, camshaft magnets & vacuum pump

[@HeyboysGarage]

@@jimmydean2228 To keep the run flappers in good shap as well as the intake manifold replacing the Oil Separator Drip Pan inside of the PCV plate. Other than that you are doing the right things. Dont forget about the Drivers side pcv as well

[@jimmydean2228]

@@HeyboysGarage I replaced the Pcv valve on the passenger side near the firewall does that include the oil separator drip pan you’re talking about ? & where’s the pcv on the drivers side ??

[@HeyboysGarage]

@@jimmydean2228 it doesn't include that! Thats what most people miss to do. The drivers side google it and it will show you a picture and where you can find it

[@moetic6601]

Can I get the link for the additive?

[@HeyboysGarage]

What was the additive calledd?

[@moetic6601]

@@HeyboysGarage for the oil? When i do my oil changes so moly additive? Do I add it in with the oil? So say its 7qts I add 6 qts of oil? Then the moly?

[@HeyboysGarage]

@@moetic6601 yeah, but you really don’t need the additives

[@moetic6601]

@@HeyboysGarage okay no problem yeah im at 176k

[@HeyboysGarage]

@@moetic6601 how long have you had yours and what was the mileage when you got it

[@josephramos8595]

Got the same car bought it for a steal because the cam plugs where leaking bad and smoking

[@HeyboysGarage]

Cam plug always eventually leak

[@blauwzakjecrack]

you will not (always) get a code if you intake valves wont adjust anymore. My m272 has more than 400.000 , my valve actuators did break. the balance shaft sprocket is only an issue on certain engines, there is info only to figure if your engine has the failing sprocket.

[@HeyboysGarage]

Thats correct with the balance shaft info

[@shawna7813]

A bad supplier used a softer metal than required for the balance shaft sprockets causing them to wear out prematurely, usually between 40k-100k miles. If you're at 264k or 400k then your engine doesn't have the defected part. Mercedes Benz has many suppliers, the one in question had the defective part installed on Approx 15-20 percent of all 2006- early 2007 M272s, so not all M272s made within that time frame had the defective part. The last 6 digits of the VIN can only confirm if your engine was potentially exposed to that supplier's defective part, not that your engine has the part necessarily. That's why there are plenty of 06 and 07 M272s with over 300k on the road today which never encountered that problem. 15-20 percent is still a shit ton of Mercedes Benzes as that M272 was a major workhorse for the company, installed in C, E, and ML and other vehicles throughout the product line...

[@Mevax]

M112>M272

[@HeyboysGarage]

In a heart beat!

[@joshuaburke5339]

agreed, but i’d rather a m111 1.8. much more spirited engine

[@Sergeant5e]

The cheap plastic flapper on the intake.

[@HeyboysGarage]

That’s a major issue also