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Mercedes-Benz GL-Class: M272/M273 Balance Shaft Sprocket Premature Wear

M272/M273 Balance Shaft Sprocket Premature Wear is a very common engine fault on the Mercedes-Benz GL-Class on the 2006–2007 cars, and we rate it critical. Putting it right costs ≈A$5,980 to ≈A$11,960 at independent workshop rates, shown as an approximate guide in Australian dollars. Below is what goes wrong, the symptoms to notice on a test drive, where to look, and what to ask the seller before you hand over any money. It is one of 5 documented faults on the Mercedes-Benz GL-Class.

Vehicle
Mercedes-Benz GL-Class
Engine
2.5L / 3.0L / 3.5L / 4.7L / 5.5L
Years
2006–2007
Fuel
petrol
Gearbox
auto
System
Engine

This page covers the Mercedes-Benz GL-Class as a model. Some faults only affect particular engines or build years — enter a plate below to narrow the list to one car.

All Mercedes-Benz GL-Class faults5 documented faults on this model

What you are looking at

No photograph available

We do not hold a verified photograph of the Timing chain yet. We would rather show none than show a picture of a different part.

What goes wrong

The M272 V6 and M273 V8 engines used a composite plastic balance shaft idler gear sprocket that wears prematurely, causing timing chain slack and camshaft timing errors on the right bank. The GL X164, sharing its platform and engines with the W164, is equally affected. A class action settlement was reached in 2011. Engines with M272 serial numbers below 30468993 are the most commonly documented, though failures outside this range are reported.

What you would notice

  • Cold-start timing chain rattle lasting more than 2–3 seconds
  • Check engine light with P0016 or P0017 cam correlation codes
  • Rough idle or misfire
  • Metallic swarf present in engine oil sample

How to check it

Where to look. Timing cover, front of engine

  1. Check engine serial number against the published Mercedes threshold.

  2. Scan for P0016 and P0017 stored codes.

  3. Listen for cold-start chain rattle at startup before the engine has warmed.

  4. Inspect engine oil for metallic contamination.

  5. Request documented proof of balance shaft sprocket and timing chain replacement as a set.

Parts involved: Timing chain.

What it costs to put right

≈A$5,980 to ≈A$11,960 at independent workshop rates, shown as an approximate guide in Australian dollars. That is for this job on its own, not for the car.

An estimate, converted to Australian dollars, for the repair as normally carried out. What a specific car costs depends on which part has failed and what it damaged on the way — treat this as the floor for a negotiation, not a quote.

Ask the seller

  • “Has the balance shaft sprocket and timing chain been replaced with a workshop invoice as evidence?”
  • “What is the engine serial number?”
  • “Are there any stored check engine codes related to camshaft timing?”

Now check the Mercedes-Benz GL-Class you are actually looking at

Everything above is true of the model, and it is free. What it does not tell you is whether THIS car still has money owing on it, has been written off or reported stolen, what kms it showed in past sale ads, whether it has had accident repair claims and what it is worth today. That comes from the official records for that plate. Enter the plate and its state for the A$17.90 Vehicle Check, or the full history from A$24.99.

Where this comes from

The failure described above is documented in published sources — owner forums, technical service bulletins, recall notices and workshop write-ups — held in our fault database. The inspection instructions and the cost estimate are KickTyres’ own interpretation of them, and it is a starting point for an inspection rather than a manufacturer statement.

Mercedes-Benz GL-Class buyer questions

Is m272/m273 balance shaft sprocket premature wear serious on a Mercedes-Benz GL-Class?

We rate it critical and very common on the Mercedes-Benz GL-Class. The M272 V6 and M273 V8 engines used a composite plastic balance shaft idler gear sprocket that wears prematurely, causing timing chain slack and camshaft timing errors on the right bank. The GL X164, sharing its platform and engines with the W164, is equally affected. A class action settlement was reached in 2011. Engines with M272 serial numbers below 30468993 are the most commonly documented, though failures outside this range are reported.

How much does it cost to fix on a Mercedes-Benz GL-Class?

≈A$5,980 to ≈A$11,960 at independent workshop rates, shown as an approximate guide in Australian dollars. That figure is for this job on its own. A car showing the symptoms on this page is usually worth either walking away from or negotiating down by at least the repair figure.

Which Mercedes-Benz GL-Class years are affected?

Our research records this fault on the 2006–2007 Mercedes-Benz GL-Class. Build dates move around, especially on imported cars, so treat the range as the years to look hardest at rather than a guarantee either way. The official records tell you the exact build and first registration date for the car in front of you.

How do I check for it before I buy?

Check engine serial number against the published Mercedes threshold. Scan for P0016 and P0017 stored codes. Listen for cold-start chain rattle at startup before the engine has warmed. Inspect engine oil for metallic contamination. Request documented proof of balance shaft sprocket and timing chain replacement as a set. Look here: Timing cover, front of engine