Common Malfunctions in Mercedes E350 in Las Vegas

Balance Shaft Sprocket Wear

The balance shaft sprocket wearing issue is prominent in Mercedes E350 models featuring the M272 V6 engine and manufactured between 2004 and 2008. The balance shaft sprocket assists the timing chain in the vehicle, and upon malfunction of its teeth, the engine’s timing becomes inaccurate.

This occurs because the metal used in the shaft is prone to premature wear. The wear over time results in performance reduction, rough idle, misfires, and rattling noise in the engine, ultimately triggering the check engine light. If left unchecked, the timing chain could slip or break, causing bent valves or damaged pistons. This could lead to severe engine damage, which sometimes necessitates a total engine replacement near Las Vegas.

The scanning of Mercedes OBD indicated the origin and extent of the damage. Visual inspection of the camshaft further solidifies the understanding of the damage. Our technicians at Paladin Automotive remove the engine and replace the damaged components, such as the balance shaft, timing chain, or tensioner, according to the extent of the damage in Las Vegas.

Transmission Conductor Plate Malfunction

The E350 models utilize the Mercedes 7G-Tronic transmission, a seven-speed automatic transmission that provides smooth gear shifts for the vehicle’s drivers. However, the electrohydraulic conductor plate, referred to as the computer of the transmission system, is often a common point of malfunction.

The various sensors and solenoids present on the plates control the shifting of the gears. These components, when continuously exposed to heat and vibrations, become damaged and transmit incorrect feedback to the central transmission unit, resulting in transmission malfunction. The vehicle exhibits several malfunction signs, including entering limp mode, harsh shifting, no shifting, and a dashboard warning signal. Sudden shifting malfunction and limp mode during driving could put the driver at serious risk of an accident on the roads of Las Vegas.

At our auto repair shop, Paladin Automotive, our technicians use a factory-grade scanner and Mercedes-specific diagnostic software, such as XENTRY/STAR, to identify fault codes related to sensors and solenoids. Then the valve body and transmission pan are removed to access the conductor plate. The damaged conductor plate was replaced with a new OEM-made plate, rectifying the damage, near Las Vegas.

ARIMATIC Suspension Damage

The ARIMATIC air suspension system in the Mercedes E350s provides a smooth and comfortable ride. Among its components, the rubber struts that house the pressurized air are most crucial, as they absorb the shock that the vehicle experiences. Dry rot and cracks caused by age lead to leaks in the struts.

This causes inefficient suspension in the vehicle and puts excess strain on the compressor. Upon the breakdown of the compressor, the suspension system breaks down. This causes shagging of the car and a harsh and bouncy ride around Las Vegas. The suspension malfunction light also gets triggered. The suspension malfunction poses the risk of unsafe driving as well as hefty repair costs.