Owned by used C55...where does it end???
#1
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Owned by used C55...where does it end???
Haha...so I'm nursing a used 2005 C55 w/97kmi for the last couple months that I got for cheap $13k and the voluntary repairs and essentially nickle and diming does not want to stop!!!
Fix leaking gas tank bomb-$6 (used JB weld marine version on seeping fuel regulator). New Bosch wipers-$40, K&N filters-$45, cabin charcoal filter-$15, Mobil1 oil change and dipstick-$85, transmission oil change flushed thru radiator with new tranny mount, pan gasket, TCM plug, missing dipstick cap/pin-$165, engine mounts-$80, Bosch Iridium plugs and Magnecor wires-$240, smelly differential oil-$20, rumbling idler pulley and new belt-$60, leaky valve cover gaskets and cracked breather hoses-$40, leaky MB gas cap-$30, rebuilt center speaker/replace weak *** tweeters-$50, 30%/30%/20% tint-$250, horn-$16, and then yesterday voltage regulator-$60.
I guess the total would be higher if I didn't DIY. Damn, my old 97 S500 with more miles was less headache. Yeah, I know the whining is easily drowned out by a nice V8 roar. Haven't really started modding.
I'm guessing this is typical for second hand C55's???????????
Fix leaking gas tank bomb-$6 (used JB weld marine version on seeping fuel regulator). New Bosch wipers-$40, K&N filters-$45, cabin charcoal filter-$15, Mobil1 oil change and dipstick-$85, transmission oil change flushed thru radiator with new tranny mount, pan gasket, TCM plug, missing dipstick cap/pin-$165, engine mounts-$80, Bosch Iridium plugs and Magnecor wires-$240, smelly differential oil-$20, rumbling idler pulley and new belt-$60, leaky valve cover gaskets and cracked breather hoses-$40, leaky MB gas cap-$30, rebuilt center speaker/replace weak *** tweeters-$50, 30%/30%/20% tint-$250, horn-$16, and then yesterday voltage regulator-$60.
I guess the total would be higher if I didn't DIY. Damn, my old 97 S500 with more miles was less headache. Yeah, I know the whining is easily drowned out by a nice V8 roar. Haven't really started modding.
I'm guessing this is typical for second hand C55's???????????
#2
MBWorld Fanatic!
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Western Canada
Posts: 1,683
Likes: 0
Received 26 Likes
on
18 Posts
2013 C63 AMG P31, 2014 GMC Sierra (6.2)
Ok you're scaring me....
Seriously though, it's as if the previous owner(s) ignored some of the more common problems or maintenance items specific to the C55. This is only the second C55 I've heard of with the Fuel Sender issue though. JB Weld? Sounds like you've been to the W211 E55 forum...lol You're lucky we don't have to put up with Airmatic. It seems like you've done your research and are on top of things. Good luck!
Seriously though, it's as if the previous owner(s) ignored some of the more common problems or maintenance items specific to the C55. This is only the second C55 I've heard of with the Fuel Sender issue though. JB Weld? Sounds like you've been to the W211 E55 forum...lol You're lucky we don't have to put up with Airmatic. It seems like you've done your research and are on top of things. Good luck!
Last edited by wawy; 06-04-2013 at 12:30 AM.
#3
Junior Member
Ouch. Does seem like maint lapses with previous owner but all in all somewhat "common" issues. I picked up my C55 in February with 75k miles. One owner, all normal maintenance done and then some including tranny and motor mounts as well as voltage regulator. Previous owner also did fuel sending unit under warranty with MB. Among other concerns, the fuel sending unit thing is what made me hesitant in buying an E55. I was surprised to see it on the C but happy it was "resolved" by owner.
I did a tranny flush on mine and with about 4k miles left before my B service, I've noticed the oil burn smell. Time for valve cover replacement! I'm going to do these along with plugs for the B service at my local Indy. I consider all this normal maintenance and I've been thrilled with this car.
I did a tranny flush on mine and with about 4k miles left before my B service, I've noticed the oil burn smell. Time for valve cover replacement! I'm going to do these along with plugs for the B service at my local Indy. I consider all this normal maintenance and I've been thrilled with this car.
#5
MBWorld Fanatic!
Snagging it for $13k means you are still in the green despite all those nickels and dimes. Stay strong and your C55 will thank you in due time!!
#6
Member
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Beaverton, OR
Posts: 85
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
2002 C32
none of those look like very severe repairs. When I bought my C32 I put about $3500 into it to get it back to perfect mechanical condition and I've still got a couple little things to do. Those c55s are lots of fun! good luck fixing the little things.
#7
Junior Member
Thread Starter
You all are right! I am hanging in there and consider this a small investment in some automotive C55 bliss. "Secret lover"...LOL, my wife knows I've been spending significant time in the old garage....and she's actually OK with that since she likes the sleek lines of the W203 vs blimp like W140. Was about to drop some coin on E55 but ABC airmatic scared me even though I'm DIY worthy. Brothers 2001 S55 was leaning way sideways due to failed ABC and was $2500 to fix.
Are gas tank fuel pump/regulator/leaks under any recall or TSB???
I have justified in my mind this is just typical initiation into the C55 world and thanks for setting me straight!!!
Looks like tires and brakes are next by end of year.......
Are gas tank fuel pump/regulator/leaks under any recall or TSB???
I have justified in my mind this is just typical initiation into the C55 world and thanks for setting me straight!!!
Looks like tires and brakes are next by end of year.......
Trending Topics
#8
Junior Member
Thread Starter
#10
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Seattle, Warshington
Posts: 377
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
2005 C55, 2006 Ram 2500 MegaCab diesel, sold 2001 Dodge 2500 Cummins, sold 87 190e-16v, sold 97 e420
Seriously, you are complaining about an oil change and wipers????? I'll sell you mine for $20K with all that work done. The leaking fuel regulator is more likely, someone replaced the fuel filter and stripped the threads or didn't replace an O ring.
#11
Junior Member
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Los Angeles
Posts: 54
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
2006 C55 AMG
fuel regulator gasket (left side)
I had to do all that on my c55 as well and now my conductor plate and voltage regulator went out. Currently I'm attempting to fix this fuel leak first which is what I'm questioning. How do I get to the fuel regulator gasket? I already have the seat up and It's leaking on the the left side. I'm assuming the part in the picture above with the JB weld comes appart to reveal a gasket. Is that not the case??
Last edited by Dknowz; 11-27-2014 at 04:09 PM.
#13
MBWorld Fanatic!
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Washington DC
Posts: 1,545
Likes: 0
Received 6 Likes
on
5 Posts
1999 E320 4matic Wagon, 2005 C55 AMG - sold, 1998 VW Jetta TDI - sold, 2006 C230 Sport - Totaled :(
Aside from the fuel thing, everything else is common C55 stuff (for anyone else that stumbles across this). Nothing major to worry about. Only thing I didn't see in the list is the front control arms; ball joints will eventually wear out and require replacement.
#14
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Waldorf Maryland
Posts: 307
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
2008 CLK550
Still all that is cheaper than having a chick on the side. And if the wife's cool with you being in the garage wrenching drink some brews and take your time. ****, I would turn a wiper blade change into a half day affair if I could sit in the garage and drink. Lol
#16
MBWorld Fanatic!
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: People's Republic of California (Southern Region)
Posts: 1,283
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
C55 AMG, CLK550
I've had my C55 for quite a few years now and if the thing is maintained it's pretty near bullet proof. I need to say mine has 37k miles but it's never given me the slightest headache!
#17
Junior Member
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Los Angeles
Posts: 54
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
2006 C55 AMG
fuel regulator gasket (left side)
So I tried the JB weld and unfortunatly it didn't work. I think its leaking fuel through the O ring in the fuel reg. Does anyone know what tool I'd use to spin off the black piece securing the fuel regulator to the fuel tank?
#18
Member
Another option... take a screwdriver and a hammer and tap it to the left on the plastic fins... thats what most of us do at the dealership anyway.. since we can never find that damn tool..
#19
Junior Member
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Los Angeles
Posts: 54
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
2006 C55 AMG
Thanks supgee! I'll try that. Another question can a bad sos unit possibly be draining my battery? I tested the battery and the alternator and they're both showing that they're good. Getting an error message for sos and left turn signal on driverside rear view mirror.
Last edited by Dknowz; 11-30-2014 at 01:21 PM.
#20
Member
Sure, anything is possible.
More likely is the passenger seat module though, they tend to go bad on the 203's and drain the battery. I know C32's suffered from it, not sure of the c55 but since the chassis is the same I would be suspicious.
If that turns out not to be the case, remove the negative battery cable and hook an ammeter in series. (touch the negative battery terminal and then the chassis ground, with a DVOM on amperage). Don't try to start the vehicle like this.
Anything over 30mA is considered excessive, so go to the fuse panel and start removing the fuses one by one while watching your ammeter. When you find the correct one, the meter will drop to zero. Then you know which circuit the problem lies. Good luck
More likely is the passenger seat module though, they tend to go bad on the 203's and drain the battery. I know C32's suffered from it, not sure of the c55 but since the chassis is the same I would be suspicious.
If that turns out not to be the case, remove the negative battery cable and hook an ammeter in series. (touch the negative battery terminal and then the chassis ground, with a DVOM on amperage). Don't try to start the vehicle like this.
Anything over 30mA is considered excessive, so go to the fuse panel and start removing the fuses one by one while watching your ammeter. When you find the correct one, the meter will drop to zero. Then you know which circuit the problem lies. Good luck
Last edited by Supgee; 12-01-2014 at 08:10 PM.
#22
Junior Member
Ok you're scaring me....
Seriously though, it's as if the previous owner(s) ignored some of the more common problems or maintenance items specific to the C55. This is only the second C55 I've heard of with the Fuel Sender issue though. JB Weld? Sounds like you've been to the W211 E55 forum...lol You're lucky we don't have to put up with Airmatic. It seems like you've done your research and are on top of things. Good luck!
Seriously though, it's as if the previous owner(s) ignored some of the more common problems or maintenance items specific to the C55. This is only the second C55 I've heard of with the Fuel Sender issue though. JB Weld? Sounds like you've been to the W211 E55 forum...lol You're lucky we don't have to put up with Airmatic. It seems like you've done your research and are on top of things. Good luck!
Aaron
#23
Junior Member
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Los Angeles
Posts: 54
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
2006 C55 AMG
Mine has 121,456 miles F1bobby. The good news is all the problems have been common problems that you can find solutions to here in this great community. Good luck!
#24
Super Member
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Las Vegas
Posts: 649
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes
on
2 Posts
3-pointed star
This thread reminds me of a beater SLK32 AMG with 100K+ miles I bought for $8.5K two years ago. I put in another $1,500 indy shop work into and sold it earlier this year for $12.5k to jump back into a CL600TT.
#25
MBWorld Fanatic!
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: People's Republic of California (Southern Region)
Posts: 1,283
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
C55 AMG, CLK550