Coolant usage-may be the "bad news"
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
From: SF Bay Area
2009 C63
Coolant usage-may be the "bad news"
background: got my c63 back from service about three weeks ago. I was driving home three days ago, "check coolant level" comes on.
I think 'probably normal consumption."
get home, allow to cool, add about half a liter, looks good.
Next day, driving to work, no drama, then same message.
I think, I must have not quite added enough.
Allow to cool, now it takes 2 liters.
I think, can't be leaking, as none in the garage and none in exhaust smell.
Next day- same thing
At dealer- at first they said they would test the system.
Today they called, need to keep the car for a few days.
May need to pull heads.
2009 44k miles.
I pretty much baby this thing, only issues was having the intake leak repaired that many of you have had about 6k miles ago.
I'll let everyone know how it plays out. Dealer has always treated me well and been very upfront.
I think 'probably normal consumption."
get home, allow to cool, add about half a liter, looks good.
Next day, driving to work, no drama, then same message.
I think, I must have not quite added enough.
Allow to cool, now it takes 2 liters.
I think, can't be leaking, as none in the garage and none in exhaust smell.
Next day- same thing
At dealer- at first they said they would test the system.
Today they called, need to keep the car for a few days.
May need to pull heads.
2009 44k miles.
I pretty much baby this thing, only issues was having the intake leak repaired that many of you have had about 6k miles ago.
I'll let everyone know how it plays out. Dealer has always treated me well and been very upfront.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 1,601
Likes: 10
From: San Diego/San Francisco
AMG GLC63. Audi R8
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 5,983
Likes: 21
From: Vegas and Vancouver, BC
.
It IS the bad news. This is un-nerving (sp?). Another person with a coolant issue. Based on the number of active members here on this forum and the # of potential failures, the failure rate is unacceptable.
Does anyone have an email address of a contact person? My '09 has 5640 mi and warranty will be up in June '13. At the rate I'm going, my failures may come after warranty which may lead me on not keeping the car though my original plan was to keep for a long time. I could always spring for an extended warranty, but will need to read the policy language on a lightly modded car. Anyone have an idea on costs to replace headgasket and bolts as a preventative measure?
EDIT-correct current mileage to 5600.
Does anyone have an email address of a contact person? My '09 has 5640 mi and warranty will be up in June '13. At the rate I'm going, my failures may come after warranty which may lead me on not keeping the car though my original plan was to keep for a long time. I could always spring for an extended warranty, but will need to read the policy language on a lightly modded car. Anyone have an idea on costs to replace headgasket and bolts as a preventative measure?
EDIT-correct current mileage to 5600.
Last edited by Sincity; Apr 19, 2012 at 10:31 PM.
Trending Topics
MB World Stories
The Best of Mercedes & AMG
8 Oddball Mercedes Ideas That Actually Made it to Production
Verdad Gallardo
Dubai Tuner Gives the Mercedes G-Class An Entirely New Look
Verdad Gallardo
Six Gift Ideas Your AMG Loving Dad or Grad Will Cherish
7 Craziest Things AMG Gas Ever Built
Verdad Gallardo
New Electric Mercedes-AMG GT 4-Door Coupe Unveiled: 10 Things You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
6 Mercedes Models That Did NOT Age Well (But Are Somehow Still Cool)
Verdad Gallardo
Manual Mercedes? 6 Times Sindelfingen Let Drivers Have All The Fun
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren
Verdad Gallardo
8 Classic Boxy Mercedes Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine
Verdad Gallardo
Super Member
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 579
Likes: 0
From: SF Bay Area
2009 C63, 2000 ML 430, 1994 Del Sol Vtec
Took my car in for a service yesterday and the SA mentioned there is a service bulliten for this. She said if I get the coolant light to turn the car off immediately and have it towed to the dealer.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 4,438
Likes: 388
From: Relocated
2010 Irridium Silver MB C63 AMG Sedan
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 1,601
Likes: 10
From: San Diego/San Francisco
AMG GLC63. Audi R8
It IS the bad news. This is un-nerving (sp?). Another person with a coolant issue. Based on the number of active members here on this forum and the # of potential failures, the failure rate is unacceptable.
Does anyone have an email address of a contact person? My '09 has 56400 mi and warranty will be up in June '13. At the rate I'm going, my failures may come after warranty which may lead me on not keeping the car though my original plan was to keep for a long time. I could always spring for an extended warranty, but will need to read the policy language on a lightly modded car. Anyone have an idea on costs to replace headgasket and bolts as a preventative measure?
Does anyone have an email address of a contact person? My '09 has 56400 mi and warranty will be up in June '13. At the rate I'm going, my failures may come after warranty which may lead me on not keeping the car though my original plan was to keep for a long time. I could always spring for an extended warranty, but will need to read the policy language on a lightly modded car. Anyone have an idea on costs to replace headgasket and bolts as a preventative measure?
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 1,601
Likes: 10
From: San Diego/San Francisco
AMG GLC63. Audi R8
background: got my c63 back from service about three weeks ago. I was driving home three days ago, "check coolant level" comes on.
I think 'probably normal consumption."
get home, allow to cool, add about half a liter, looks good.
Next day, driving to work, no drama, then same message.
I think, I must have not quite added enough.
Allow to cool, now it takes 2 liters.
I think, can't be leaking, as none in the garage and none in exhaust smell.
Next day- same thing
At dealer- at first they said they would test the system.
Today they called, need to keep the car for a few days.
May need to pull heads.
2009 44k miles.
I pretty much baby this thing, only issues was having the intake leak repaired that many of you have had about 6k miles ago.
I'll let everyone know how it plays out. Dealer has always treated me well and been very upfront.
I think 'probably normal consumption."
get home, allow to cool, add about half a liter, looks good.
Next day, driving to work, no drama, then same message.
I think, I must have not quite added enough.
Allow to cool, now it takes 2 liters.
I think, can't be leaking, as none in the garage and none in exhaust smell.
Next day- same thing
At dealer- at first they said they would test the system.
Today they called, need to keep the car for a few days.
May need to pull heads.
2009 44k miles.
I pretty much baby this thing, only issues was having the intake leak repaired that many of you have had about 6k miles ago.
I'll let everyone know how it plays out. Dealer has always treated me well and been very upfront.
Last edited by DuaneC63; Apr 18, 2012 at 05:07 PM.
Member
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 237
Likes: 0
CLK63 Black Series
background: got my c63 back from service about three weeks ago. I was driving home three days ago, "check coolant level" comes on.
I think 'probably normal consumption."
get home, allow to cool, add about half a liter, looks good.
Next day, driving to work, no drama, then same message.
I think, I must have not quite added enough.
Allow to cool, now it takes 2 liters.
I think, can't be leaking, as none in the garage and none in exhaust smell.
Next day- same thing
At dealer- at first they said they would test the system.
Today they called, need to keep the car for a few days.
May need to pull heads.
2009 44k miles.
I pretty much baby this thing, only issues was having the intake leak repaired that many of you have had about 6k miles ago.
I'll let everyone know how it plays out. Dealer has always treated me well and been very upfront.
I think 'probably normal consumption."
get home, allow to cool, add about half a liter, looks good.
Next day, driving to work, no drama, then same message.
I think, I must have not quite added enough.
Allow to cool, now it takes 2 liters.
I think, can't be leaking, as none in the garage and none in exhaust smell.
Next day- same thing
At dealer- at first they said they would test the system.
Today they called, need to keep the car for a few days.
May need to pull heads.
2009 44k miles.
I pretty much baby this thing, only issues was having the intake leak repaired that many of you have had about 6k miles ago.
I'll let everyone know how it plays out. Dealer has always treated me well and been very upfront.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 4,563
Likes: 42
C63 AMG
These must be failing for a reason. Head gaskets aren't exactly a high tech part. Perhap having the head bolts retorqued every 25K might help avoid the problem. It's hard to believe that an AMG motor would be designed with insufficient size, strength or number of head bolts. If they do pull the heads make sure they are not warped and the deck of the block is perfectly flat.
I am not sure if its the heat, the metal or if they are being torqued too much which is causing the over stretching and weakening. But clearly something is not right.
Here is a good article explaining critical fasteners.
So re-torquing the bolts is definitely not an option. I believe you should only use a Torque to Yield bolt once. I know there is some on the bottom of the tranny pan and I had to use new ones when we did that job.
http://www.enginebuildermag.com/Arti...uetoangle.aspx
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 1,021
Likes: 0
From: Massachusetts
'14 911S (garage queen) '13 X3 (family hauler)
WTF, good to know.Anyone know if this is 09 specific or early models specific?
Can't recall seeing any 10's or '11s with this problem, YET.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 2,899
Likes: 93
C63 AMG
We need a catch-all thread across all forums where the 6.3 is used. We've had maybe five threads in two months here with the OP's experiencing head bolt failures and they all will drift down into oblivion eventually and probably be difficult to find with the crappy search function. Let's track this issue (better)!
Former Vendor of MBWorld
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 585
Likes: 29
From: Anaheim California
Weistec
Hello Gentlemen we have briefly wrote about this in a similar post regarding these issues. We have an ARP Head Stud available for the M156 and M159 that is far superior to the factory torque to yield bolts, is reusable (if ever you need to remove the head again), and is very easy to install. We highly recommend these for anyone that is removing the heads, either for repair or modifications. PM or email us for more information. Thanks guys.
Weistec Engineering
Weistec Engineering
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 1,749
Likes: 1
From: PNW
'15 VW GTI
Hello Gentlemen we have briefly wrote about this in a similar post regarding these issues. We have an ARP Head Stud available for the M156 and M159 that is far superior to the factory torque to yield bolts, is reusable (if ever you need to remove the head again), and is very easy to install. We highly recommend these for anyone that is removing the heads, either for repair or modifications. PM or email us for more information. Thanks guys.
Weistec Engineering
Weistec Engineering
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 5,983
Likes: 21
From: Vegas and Vancouver, BC
.
We need a catch-all thread across all forums where the 6.3 is used. We've had maybe five threads in two months here with the OP's experiencing head bolt failures and they all will drift down into oblivion eventually and probably be difficult to find with the crappy search function. Let's track this issue (better)!
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
From: SF Bay Area
2009 C63
Another update-
They are reporting one head bolt had failed and another had area showing corrosion.
I certainly would reccomend watching this on the '09 MY vehicles. In my case there was no early signs, just an immediate change to what had been a normal ownership experience.
I would never recommend reusing head bolts on any rebuild, but especially if you are going into one of these motors for modifications, I would definately replace all of the headbolts with a superior fastener. Most who do this type of work already know this.
If there is someone that has information regarding the TSB on this, we might know the range of affected vehicles.
They are reporting one head bolt had failed and another had area showing corrosion.
I certainly would reccomend watching this on the '09 MY vehicles. In my case there was no early signs, just an immediate change to what had been a normal ownership experience.
I would never recommend reusing head bolts on any rebuild, but especially if you are going into one of these motors for modifications, I would definately replace all of the headbolts with a superior fastener. Most who do this type of work already know this.
If there is someone that has information regarding the TSB on this, we might know the range of affected vehicles.
