i have: s350 with m272 engine - 115.000 km.
since a while the check engine lights up -- star diagnosis indicated : code 1200 and 1208 ( p0016 and p0017) - what should be done ?
thx

 

usually the cam advance solonoids or a bad balance shaft sproket that gets worn.

 

see attachment

 

My Mercedes is 2004 C230 Kompressor. It's been maintained along the time I have owned it, but this year is the first time my check engine light has come on. I searched threads and found one suggestion which may save people a lot of money.... go to an auto parts store - AutoZone was good for me.. tell the counter guy your check engine light went on and you need a part but not sure which one... ask him if he has an OBD2 scanner.. if they're good - they will have one and check (scan) your car for free.. it will give you the Code no. for the problem... I saved over $100 where the atuo repair shop nearby wanted to put the car on the 'diagnostics' machine... the auto zone employee told me the problem. As it turns out it could have been something as simple as the gas cap not on tight, spark plugs, plug wire, thermostat or more involved.. valves or something with the head... my fuel was lean.. and (bad me), I have been saving money by buying 87 unleaded gas versus the 93 high test- recommended by the manual. He suggested I run out the gas and go back to 93. He erased the check light off my panel (thru his machine) and said come back if it comes back on again and they'll reassess! Thank you AutoZone.. I will be back.

 

remember this cheap mechanics arent good. and good mechanics arent cheap. if this guy at aut zone was so good at figuring out your problem he would be working at a m.b. dealership. now what usually happens is this guy will tell you here replace this here replace this here replace this and guess what his scanner is nothing like a star machines we have at the dealer that actually test the compenents before we hang then on your car so remember that next time you go to autozone to repair your $100000 mercedes.

 

I just saw a P0016 (only) on our 2007 280 SLK this morning. Car has only 37000 Miles so I hope its not something serious. I cleared the code and wait for it to re-appear before I look further or bring it to MB.

 

thanks, pour are totally right -- the tooths on the balance shaft were worn out causing this alarm -- averthyng OK after replacing the balance shaft ( expensive repair but fully paid by MB )

 

hi, i just got an E350,2006 yesterday and after a couple of hours of drive the CHEK ENGINE light show up,at autozone the code p0016 comes out,what that mean???? it have 43K miles on???? is that something serious????

 

Yup, we have an SLK with 42k miles and got the same code. Cam shaft sprocket worn, worst case scenario. Repair bill $6300, but MB agreed to pay 50% because they are embarrassed ( as they should be!) on a low milage car like this.
That code is the reason the previous owner sold the car, you got screwed, sorry :-(

 

If MBUSA is so embarassed and is willing to split the cost of this repair 50/50, how do I go about getting the same deal offered to me? Do I write letters, make phone calls, camp on doorsteps? And to whom do I direct my complaint?