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Mercedes-Benz CLK-Class CLK 220 CDI Avantgarde common faults.

2005–2009, coupé, diesel, 150 HP.

The fault list covers: OM646DE22LA engine, MB6MT transmission.

What you save stays on this device only. My saves

3 fault write-ups. All are important. 4 recalls.

If you know the year, pick it. Faults for other years drop out of the list.

Before you buy

Known faults

3 important faults

critical1

OM646 2.1 CDI: a snapping timing belt

critical

Many OM646 owners do not know that this engine has a timing belt, not a timing chain. The belt drives not only the camshaft but also the injection pump, and the water pump runs off it as well. It is an interference engine: if the belt snaps, the valves and the pistons meet, and the end of it is a four-figure repair or an economic write-off. The factory replacement interval is 200,000 km or 10 years, whichever comes first. Experienced workshops shorten this to 150,000 km, especially on a car with an unknown service history or one that does a lot of city driving. At the change it is worth replacing the tensioner and the idler pulley as well, because their condition cannot be seen by looking, and the water pump too, since the same belt drives it. The complete change is 500 to 900 euro at an independent workshop and 800 to 1,400 euro at a franchised one. This is the most important preventive job on this engine.

above 150,000 km500–1,400 EUR

What to check

  • Ask for the service book and look in it for the timing belt change with an invoice
  • Work out the 10-year limit as well, not just the mileage
  • Ask whether the tensioner and idler pulley and the water pump were replaced too
2 more steps in the write-up

expensive2

OM646 2.1 CDI: shearing rivets in the dual-mass flywheel

expensive

The dual-mass flywheel is one of the most frequent expensive repairs on the OM646, especially on a manual car driven in town. Rivets hold the two discs together, and they can shear, which makes the flywheel run out of balance. It typically goes between 150,000 and 200,000 km, depending on driving style: a lot of setting off in town wears it sooner. The symptoms are vibration at idle and a metallic rattle when using the clutch. The imbalance can also ruin the clutch disc and the crankshaft sensor, so one flywheel fault turns into the replacement of several parts. The job is also expensive because the gearbox has to come out for it.

between 150,000 and 200,000 km

What to check

  • At idle watch the vibration, and press the clutch: a metallic rattle is a sign
  • Drive it at city pace and watch for juddering when setting off
  • Ask whether it is manual or automatic, and how much city driving it has done
2 more steps in the write-up

OM646 2.1 CDI: coking injectors and rising return flow

expensive

On this generation the injectors wear internally, and deposits build up on the nozzle needle from residual fuel and from the heat. A worn injector lets more fuel back into the return line than it should. The symptoms are rough running when cold, hard starting, sooting and a quiet knocking noise. The most reliable test is measuring the return quantity per injector. If the return of one injector stands out from the others, that injector is internally leaking. On the OM646 with the Bosch system the limit for the quantity correction is plus or minus 5 cubic millimetres per stroke: if an injector reaches that, it has to be replaced. This measurement says which unit is at fault faster than any fault code reading. The fault comes up above 180,000 km.

above 180,000 km

What to check

  • Ask for a return quantity measurement per injector, not just a fault code reading
  • Start the engine cold and watch for rough running and hard starting
  • Watch the exhaust: sooting belongs here
2 more steps in the write-up

Checklist

Mercedes-Benz CLK-Class CLK 220 CDI Avantgarde

First what you would check on any car. Then the faults of this model.

Before you buy

Checklist

The printed sheet starts with what you would check on any car. What you tick stays on this device only.

On every car

Ask the owner

Faults of this model

vinkodex.com · Before you buy it, see what can go wrong.

Official recall4 recallsShow

The manufacturer fixes these for free at a franchised dealer. Ask with the VIN whether it was done.

A12/00280/20Safety recallInjuriesno date · EU Safety Gate

The adhesive bond between the glass panel and the sliding-roof frame may not meet the specifications. As a result, the glass panel could become completely detached from the vehicle, posing the risk to the following traffic.

Remedy: Type of economic operator taking notified measure(s): Manufacturer Category of measure(s): Recall of the product from end users Date of entry into force: Unknown

We could not check this: model year. The authority's notice

A12/00391/23Safety recallInjuriesno date · EU Safety Gate

Due to improper adhesive bonding of the glass panel to the sliding roof frame, the panel may detach from the moving vehicle, creating a risk of an accident, injuries. The product does not comply with the Regulation on the approval and market surveillance of motor vehicles and their trailers, and of systems, components and separate technical units intended for such vehicles.

Remedy: Type of economic operator taking notified measure(s): Manufacturer Category of measure(s): Recall of the product from end users Date of entry into force: Unknown

We could not check this: model year. The authority's notice

A12/01448/22Safety recallEnvironment, Injuriesno date · EU Safety Gate

Faulty configurations of the control units (traction systems, signal recording triggering modules, engine control units and headlights) could cause one or more control units to malfunction, which could increase the risk of an accident. The exhaust emissions exceed the legal limits, posing a risk to the environment. The product does not comply with the Regulation on the approval and market surveillance of motor vehicles and their trailers, and of systems, components and separate technical units intended for such vehicles.

Remedy: Type of economic operator taking notified measure(s): Manufacturer Category of measure(s): Recall of the product from end users Date of entry into force: Unknown

We could not check this: model year. The authority's notice

A12/0457/17Safety recallInjuriesno date · EU Safety Gate

Following the update of the control unit coding, the coding parameters of the control unit could be defective. This could give rise to various unplanned reactions in the vehicle: the wrong airbag could be triggered in the event of an accident, the airbag control unit may not recognise the belt buckle status, the engine control unit could be coded with a false maximum speed or various assistance systems may not function.

Remedy: Type of economic operator taking notified measure(s): Manufacturer Category of measure(s): Recall of the product from end users Date of entry into force: Unknown

We could not check this: model year. The authority's notice

Engine and transmission

OM646DE22LA · Viano 2.0 CDI

75–125 kW (102–170 HP) · diesel

MB6MT · 6-speed manual, longitudinal (Mercedes-Benz)

manual · 6 speed

Torque limit450 Nm
MakerMercedes-Benz

We built the code from the model and the gear count. The factory sheet does not state it.

Variant data

What is in this version

Factory data

Trim
CLK 220 CDI Avantgarde
Body
coupé
Fuel
diesel
Transmission
manual
Engine size
2148 cc
Power
110 kW (150 HP)
Drive
RWD
Production
2005–2009

Factory service interval

The manufacturer specifies this for this version. Of the mileage and the time, the one that comes first is the one that counts.

  • Air filter

    • 60,000 km or 4 years

  • Cabin (pollen) filter

    • 30,000 km or 2 years

  • Brake fluid change

    • first: 3 years, then 2 years(first change at 3 years, then every two years)

  • Fuel filter, diesel

    • 60,000 km or 2 years
All C209 versions

Information, not an expert opinion

We write the descriptions, and we put the source next to them. A person reviews them before they go out. They are still information, not a technical expert opinion.

  • A fault on the list does not mean the car you are looking at has it.
  • A fault missing from the list does not mean the model is fault-free. Write-ups are made model by model. Not all of them are done.
  • You decide whether to buy. This is no substitute for an inspection. That needs a workshop and a history check.
Details in the terms