Valvestud

Do you realize this is a Mercedes forum? I suggest you request on a Caddy forum.

Regards

D3-AMG

So did you ever get permission to post the numbers here?

bhamg

Haven't asked yet but I will within the next 60 days.

ML63Italy

Hi! Without going back too far in this string, I am curious if this is an issue that can be brought up to MB? The reason I am asking is because my ML63 (2009 // 85K miles) started losing about 2 quarts over three days. All testing by MB (CO2 testing, pressure) brought nothing to light, but obviously the water was going somewhere. No overheating and no power loss. Finally yesterday they put it under pressure over night and took out the spark plugs (not too techie here) and have found water in oil. Today they told me that they think that they found it - a head bolt. Not much more info at the moment. But it was interesting that a AMG mechanic in Germany told me that there had been issues with the head bolts. Unfortunately I am being told a min of $8K, if I am lucky. not very happy with this piece of news. Especially since nobody wants to assist financially. Thanks for any useful information...

realjones88

If you are still under warranty it will be covered. If you are not, then you can ask for a "good faith" cover or try to strike some sort of deal with your dealership, like discounted labor.

Otherwise, you will be on the hook for the repair. One of the downsides to owning a car out of warranty (if applicable to you).

ML63Italy

Thanks for the input. Stopped by the dealer yesterday and they confirmed 2 bolts had not been tight. I have given up speaking to any customer service reps, both in Italy and US. Both keep on pushing it onto the dealership. At this point I am at their mercy for some sort of a discount. A bit frustrating that the company does not show goodwill, as this seems to be a pretty well documented issue. But I guess I need to suck it up and be happy it did not screw up the motor or anything else... Again thanks for the support!

ELO168

3 weeks ago the Coolant light came on, and it did not needed to be top off.
Came on again the second day, same thing. 1 week ago it came one again and I took it into the dealer and they said it was a little low.
Back in 2013 the headbolts and headgasket where replaced.
Question is it stretching again? Dealer informed to come back when light goes on or after 6 months. My extended warranty will expire early next year and would be screwed if the bolts fail after it expires.
Advice comments please

Huchimo01

Sorry guys. I posted in the wrong place.

kamalpatel12448

Basically you need assurance that if the issue is back you're not paying for the repair - why not have the oil tested for coolant, ask dealer to do compression test, or simply ask for warranty extension for this issue specifically as it should not come back (since it was done).

What problems did you have to prompt the work in 2013, was it a major failure or a slow leakage that you flagged, and what parts were replaced back then?

I have heard of the sensor being overly sensitive to the level so slightest drop can trigger warning. I had the same at Christmas when the car was parked on an incline and was very cold - I searched this and it is common. This was the first time I've topped up coolant in nearly 5 years of ownership, so need to watch carefully, and I have original head bolts.

Hope your problem is not really a problem!

ML63Italy

Just wanted to update on this issue. In the end, nobody did step up to assist, I did receive a 10% on the parts (total price for parts came to a cool 4,300 euros). The end price came out to be around $6,500. Now for something interesting: All was fixed and car runs well, no issues, expect..... over the course of the last 8 days the engine had made a very disturbing rattling noise when I turn it on. The noise (clack clack clack type) subsides after 3-4 seconds. Cannot say it happens only when the engine is cold or hot, as it has happens with both. garage tells me that the valve shafts will need about 600 miles until they are seated and that this is nothing to worry about. Well I am worried...Strange thing is that I cannot reproduce the noise by turning the car on / off. it just seems to happen arbitrarily. Any thoughts?

Merc63

Clacking on start up, hot or cold, is cam shaft adjusters, they will need to be replaced. Whoever said the cam shafts need to seat is an idiot. The cam shaft caps are machined to an exact clearance for oil to flow around the bearing and cam shaft. I would really worry about a shop who says crap like that instead of looking at the car.

DuaneC63

After the head gasket/lifter replacement, mine did have value noise and rough idle for about 500 miles (300 freeway and about 200 city). Then it went away and has been fine for 15k miles. The wrench at the dealer told me this was normal. Since it was all done under warranty, it really didn't drive me crazy for the short period of time it did it.

Bud Wilkinson

I have to say that I agree with Merc63 on this one. While intermittent issues are among the most dificult to track down, it still should be done. The cam followers did have a problem and a tech bulletin with a superseding part number. Same as the SLS part I believe. The new number is all that is available for order since about a year or so ago. If they were not replaced I would suspect these. If they were on the parts list of replaced items then it is possible that a cam lobe had a problem and the short break in for the new followers went badly due to this.
Even if it isn't these items the shop should be responsible enough to look or listen to it, determine a source and then say you should run it for 500 miles. How they react after that will tell you their level of integrity as well.
Best of luck,
Bud

ML63Italy

Hey thanks for the quick reply. That would make sense, since there really is no pattern as to when it happens. As for the idiots... well, what can I say? Italy.... problem is, they are an official AMG / MB dealership and the work was started there. pretty much screwed now, since there is no alternative in the next 400 miles.... Nevertheless, I will bring this forward and have them change the adjusters. just hoping there is no long term damage, as this has happened four times now.
Again, thanks for your professional input!
Kenny

ML63Italy

Latest and Greatest....
Back from the dealer and they confirmed what you had already stated... They said it was the left "upper" one. The parts have the newer series number, so they did not think that all four / two had to be replaced.. Question: is it a better practice to change at least two on one side, if only one needs replacing, or is it ok to replace only the defective one?
Again, thanks so much and please pardon my ignorance on the technical side...

Bud Wilkinson

The tech bulletin that I saw and have posted here I believe, and what was done in my case was a replacement of all 32 cam followers with the SLS part number. The very expensive cams were ok.
While I had to foot the whole $8900 bill, I haven't had any issue since the job was done by a local independent who was trained by MB and opened his own shop. would have been $12K - $15K at the dealer. I was lucky that there was no piston/rod damage as those were $500-$700 each as memory serves. Multiply that by 8 and wow.

ELO168

When I took it in 2013 it was slowing leaking into the engine.
Coolant light came on 3 times so they found out oil had coolant inside.
This time they claim coolant was just low and top off.
So far no light yet.

Settthhh

Is there a listing of the extended warranty companies that will cover this head bolt problem by chance? I know that I've heard fidelity will but looking at their ratings...I'm not so sure I'd do business with them.

Thanks.

cornerjunkie

What is the average for labor hours to replace the headbolts?

computertom

I was quoted 20-24 hours by my local independent.

Lowflight

What about this E63?

2010 MERCEDES-BENZ E63 AMG
VIN: WDDHF7HB9AA162954

Mort

All 2010 are affected.

Valvestud

It is not a model specific issue, but an M156 engine issue. All 2010 and older, and some early 2011s are affected. This is for US cars. Some other countries define model years differently. The best way to be sure is to get the engine number which requires the VIN.


Regards,


Joe

Ml63mteliza

Has anyone else had the issue of the head bolt snapping in Australia?
We have a amg ml 63 just over 100,000 kms with the head bolt snapped.

Has anyone had any luck claiming back from Mercedes or getting MBZ to pick up the bill?

aussie e55

hi
what year & engine number is your vehicle