Jasonoff

ALL 2010 NA vehicles have the older bolt design, not almost all. They didn't start showing up until 2011.

Interesting that it's different in the UK, are you 100% certain about that stat?

2008AMG63

Can you point me out to the service bulletins?


My E63 2008 VIN: WDBUF77X48B255616
Can someone help me understand if this is affected?


*Arghhhh I had the lifterts and tappets replaced a coupl of years ago, but I paid in full. Im pretty sure they didn't put the SL's they didint check the bolts.
tahnks

Mort

I believe the model year in the UK is the calendar year. Any car built between Jan 1 2010 and Dec 31 2010 is therefore considered to be a 2010 MY. Something close to that anyway.

In NA model production for 2010 ended in May or perhaps June 2010 and any car produced after that is considered to be a 2011 MY car. That is why all 2010s and some 2011 MY cars have the older head bolts in NA and some 2010 MY cars in the UK have the updated head bolts. I think perhaps it is the same for Australia and perhaps a few other world locations depending on local traditions and laws.

Celicasaur

Built...I'm not sure. Perhaps Valvestud might know. On my vehicle registration document it says something about....(taking a guess at the date here) 27th Sept 2010 but I'm not sure if that was the date the first owner took delivery or if it's the build date.

otakki

This method for model year is much easier to understand and makes more sense. The method for NA is confusing.

There might be a plate on the B-pillar close to the driver's door strike that says the manufacturing month and date.

Valvestud

The delivery date, which is when it's delivered to Dealer was 8/30/2010.

otakki

Anyone know the answers to those questions above? Also around which time were those changes made to the M156 production line if MB did make those changes?

C63FACTORY

Dealer at MB told me that the 2010 later models were not affected is this true?

Jasonoff

No. All NA 2010 affected, some early NA 2011.

Valvestud

As Jasonoff indicated, all cars shipped in North America 2010 and older and some early 2011s are affected. Cars in other parts of the world use the calendar for model year, not some arbitrary start point for a model year. So for NA cars, your Dealer is wrong.


The best way to know for sure is to post your VIN and I can tell you. The engine number is what determines the affected status.


Regards,


Joe

Fahed

What sound is this
I own a c63 2009

elapxidi

I WAS going to buy a c63 after seeing all this ****, no thanks

computertom

It's funny, I bought mine knowing full well that there was a very slight chance of a head bolt issue. I negotiated a good deal based partially on this and then had the heads done (and buckets and some other bits and pieces) and couldn't be happier. I have owned a lot of fun (re: not super "responsible" or economical) cars in my life, but none have made me smile like this ridiculous beast. Literally every time I get out of it I am border line giggling.

To each his or her own. Oh, and I am pretty sure I've ruined my poor kids understanding of what is fast and fun forever. Their bar is now ridiculously high. Big thanks to the fine folks in Affalterbach.

Jasonoff

Did you get a pic of the old bolts that came out?

computertom

The shop has some pics, but hasn't gotten them on their FB page yet. They looked fine. I'll be sure to link to them when they get them posted.

elapxidi

I would like to know if any head bolts go through water jackets in heads, I checked out a pic somewhere in this site which I noticed some corrosion halfway up a headbolt
Really changed my opinion on benzes
I have raced a couple c63`s none of them stand a chance and most don't bother

downshiftM156

How much would a shop charge do to something like that? I've always thought about replacing the head bolts as preventative maintenance

ZephyrAMG

You are obviously a clown and just woke up to this car....

Dome///AMG

Didn't really realize the head bolt issue for years after someone told me that it's hard for him to sell his C63 because of his engine number. After that I checked my number and it is somewhere in the middle of those thousands of engines.
Talked to my dealership about this issue and they told me that most of the broken head bolts cracked around the first 20-30k km. So there is no need to say that every C63 with the "old" head bolts is going get broken.

The only serious issue I had was a defective oil thermostat, I hope you guys never get this problem. Mine didn't open at 100°C as it should and the oil gets hot in minutes.
To change this thing which cost about 30$ it is necessary to remove the engine and open the camshaft chain housing. If you stand in front of the car/engine it's located at the right middle site behind a cap with a seal and a spring.
That really sucks espacially with a complete stock engine minus the bigger oilcooler.
On the web I just find one guy who had to do the same because of a leaking seal.
This shop somewhere in the states did that without removing the engine but I don't thing that is was easier to do it this way because everything in front of the housing is bothering.

Here is the location of that piece of ****:

And even if you think it isn't behind the housing, believe me it is.

Here you have it:

4ramin

Just to be safe I had a local shop do the head bolts for me, while at it we also installed the SLS BS Buckets as they fully coated and lighter and help friction on the cams. I recommend this to anyone who's worried about it. Seriously guys you spend this much money on a car but you can't go and do a preventive maintenance or repair?

downshiftM156

How much did your shop charge you for the head bolt swap? & did the price include the bolts itself?

computertom

I paid for 20 hours of labor + parts from a variety of sources much cheaper than the local dealerships. If you go hog wild on the parts, they certainly add up. Still, happy this is one less thing to worry about.

4ramin

Labor cost was
$1,600.00 and as for parts , I provided them. Just an added note, my car is a 2010 with only 10K miles on the clock. My point is that it's not worth the risk at any miles.

computertom

And for my '09 with 72K miles, it was totally worth it (to me) also.

Jasonoff

Pics of old bolts?