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Purchased a 13GL350 CPO in July w/50k on the odometer. I also purchased 2 additional years of warranty of which effectively carries me into 2019w/unlimited mileage warranty coverage. All my driving is highway, approx 35-40k a year, oil changes completed on time w/correct oil. Currently have 77,500 miles on the GL.
Last week I took the GL in for front crash sensor and back-up camera software updates after learning on this forum that these issues were simple fixes.
The next day the SA calls to let me know the software updates are complete but that the shop foreman noticed an engine noise that did not sound normal and therefore they do not want me drive the vehicle until resolved. It has now been a week and they have no idea what the issue is. Today's update they mention that it sounds like the mystery noise may be emanating from the internal center of the engine area - that's never good! They have replaced a vacuum pump, verified no stretch in timing chain and numerous other checks and have not resolved the issue. In today's update they also hinted they are going down the checklist of every possible issue before going to Mercedes to ask for a 30k replacement engine.
I did notice recently that the engine sounded a little louder, especially when cold. I can only describe the sound is an amplified diesel clattering and thought it was because of the cold. Have not had any other problems with the vehicle since purchase and needless to say now have anxiety about this issue and where I will end up. I guess if a new (don't know if they use rebuilt?) engine is put in its not the end of the world but then what.....
Anybody with a similar experience? Searching the forum I am not finding much on my specific situation.
These things can happen. My wife brought in her '12 C350 for a check engine light, 47,000 miles. They changed the O2 sensor. A while later the light comes back on. She takes it to the dealer. The next day they call, oil has been failing the sensor. After another day, they call and explain the camshaft seal and some other parts failed and oil not only went into the exhaust, but also into the engine wiring harness. After a week of labor and replacing the seal, wiring harness and other parts shipped from Germany the car is fixed. Works like new.
Update to original post = exhaust valves hit pistons
After 30 days the dealer finally has engine removed & disassembled. During course of diagnostics shop foreman found non MB bolts installed on valve covers along with missing washers on injectors, presumably from a dealer performed chain tensioner repair prior to my CPO purchase. Dealer states engine timing was off and exhaust valves hit pistons. Now waiting for next step which I am hoping is a new engine. I drove 22k miles in 6 months possibly with this issue however did not make noticeable noise until recently. I cannot imagine MB would want to try and repair this nor do I think I can accept anything less than a new engine at this point.
2014 Black SLK 55 AMG, Black 2015 GL 550, 2011 Blue GLK 350
Wow! I hope they don't try to pull some garbage that due to non MB bolts, etc, that they are not responsible. The MB dealer that did the original work should be responsible. You should be getting a new engine under your warranty. I'd guess they will say it would cost more to rebuild it than to just replace it.
Good luck
Ouch. Thanks for the posts, please update as it goes. At your rate of driving, their loaner will be miles over their expectation. Hope it's a nice one for your sake.
2016 GLC300 Dakota Brown on Espresso Brown Leather, 2014 C250 Sport Diamond Silver
Glad I traded mine in after 8 years and 77,000 miles. I had the usual leaks and suspension issues and my extended warranty paid for itself, but this is scary.
Update to original post = exhaust valves hit pistons
Stopped at dealer this AM and engine laying on shop floor in 100 pieces. Shop foreman has pointed back to another dealer who changed the timing chain and tensioner just prior to my purchase as CPO. He is certain one side of the motor timing was 30d off, thus causing exhaust valve collision with pistons after chain stretched during the 23k miles I drove it. Apparently I am the 2nd causality of this same repairing dealer as another owner had a vehicle last 8k miles before their engine experienced the same fait as mine. Good news is that a new engine will be installed and it located near my servicing dealer.
What do you think this does to the vehicles value? I currently have 77,5 on the clock. I am going to ask MB to extend the warranty as well since they created this nightmare, not sure how far I will get with that after reading the CPO contract though. I am certainly glad I have CPO covering cost but this is hardly the quality I expected from MB. I my previous update I attached a short video with the engine sound of valves hitting pistons.
Stopped at dealer this AM and engine laying on shop floor in 100 pieces. Shop foreman has pointed back to another dealer who changed the timing chain and tensioner just prior to my purchase as CPO. He is certain one side of the motor timing was 30d off, thus causing exhaust valve collision with pistons after chain stretched during the 23k miles I drove it.
Did you look at the VMI when getting a CPO? Isnt this something that would have been reported in that?
I did have a copy of the VMI and it clearly showed this repair and the dealer code, I never in my life expected this issue as I would have thought it would have been repaired correctly. Now that is why MB is making the original repairing dealer pay for my repair, plus this same issue at 2x at one dealer kinda of makes it hard for them to deny a mistake, but they are according to my shop foreman.
Wow, I wonder why your dealer did such a thorough post mortem on the engine. I think my dealer identifies the problem and yanks the engine, not very frequently do they do internal work on engines (like cranks, rods etc.). The motor is robust in construction, but as a owner of a GL350 (X164) i understand the second guessing the quality aspect. The timing chain issue seems to be a GL/OM642 issue, no Sprinter guys are having stretched chains.
As far as your value i would say its unaffected or gone up. New engine essentially rolls back your 77k on a major part of the vehicle. I would see it as a benefit long run.
Wow, that video sounded nasty, cant believe it did not bend a valve, must have been just right.....
Thorough post mortum was shop foreman going for the crankshaft, that is where he thought noise was emminating from after not seeing problems with other components and to get to crankshaft the engine had to come out, heads were last off motor as he did not think there was a reason after a boroscope early on.
I was told by my SA that MB had the foreman reassemble the engine Wednesday to obtain some type of last measurement before ordering a new engine, don't know the story with that part yet. Noon call today and was told a new complete engine was ordered (including turbo) and will be delivered Tuesday, then 2 days for reinstall.
I am certainly very happy with the dealer, specifically the shop foreman as they followed all required diagnostic protocols for the best possible outcome without any hassle.
CPO contract does not support this thought but next I will work on MB to extend the warranty for 8 months, this is the amount of time I drove a defective vehicle. We will see how that goes, but it does seem like their should be more of a warranty an a brand new engine instead of my remaining 4 mos. CPO & 24 mos. extended warranty.
SA mentioned 28k a while back for a new engine. Friday he mentioned they probably will receive very little if any money for 6 weeks of diagnostics when I asked, their shop rate is $145/hr. Once final paperwork is handed over I can be more specific. Just glad I purchased CPO for the 2nd time, at least I feel like I received something in return....
Thorough post mortum was shop foreman going for the crankshaft, that is where he thought noise was emminating from after not seeing problems with other components and to get to crankshaft the engine had to come out, heads were last off motor as he did not think there was a reason after a boroscope early on.
I was told by my SA that MB had the foreman reassemble the engine Wednesday to obtain some type of last measurement before ordering a new engine, don't know the story with that part yet. Noon call today and was told a new complete engine was ordered (including turbo) and will be delivered Tuesday, then 2 days for reinstall.
I am certainly very happy with the dealer, specifically the shop foreman as they followed all required diagnostic protocols for the best possible outcome without any hassle.
CPO contract does not support this thought but next I will work on MB to extend the warranty for 8 months, this is the amount of time I drove a defective vehicle. We will see how that goes, but it does seem like their should be more of a warranty an a brand new engine instead of my remaining 4 mos. CPO & 24 mos. extended warranty.
If I'm not mistaken, new long block engines should be covered for 48 mo/50K miles according to MB warranty guidelines. See the "Parts Limited Warranty" section in the link below:
Trouble with warranty on new motor is that I drive 30-40k miles a year so my extended warranty should outlive what MB provides w/new engine or close. Good news is I picked up truck Monday and it performs better than ever. Accelerates unbelievably, shifts smoother than ever and is now super quiet compared to previous. I had shop foreman drive it home for a couple days to shake out issues while out of town and one sensor somewhere had to be replaced. Since driven 200 miles no issues. I cannot be happier with my service dept., SA & especially the shop foreman who really knows his stuff. I certainly recommend CPO purchases, I feel like I made up for the last two CPO purchases made after this expensive 33k engine replacement at $0 cost and I know dealer has many more hours they spent diagnosing for which they will probably receive nothing. End diagnosis is previous dealer replaced tensioner sand chains and right bank of motor out 30d caused exhaust valves to hit pistons, for 23k miles, they left an impression in pistons but kept on ticking...
In theory this has been good for you, a new engine means a car that's a lot younger under the hood than the odometer says. But in terms of your hassle factor, not worth it. I am glad MB made this right for you.
The upshot is I am buying the extended warranty on my GL350 today!
Really no hassle involved, dealer & service dept is awesome Because of the amount of miles I drive the dealer made me swap ML's 3x over 8.5 weeks but that was not a big deal. Sure am glad to be driving the GL again after an ML, no comparison. My service example is exactly why you should purchase CPO w/extended warranty. I could not imagine having to foot the bill for this repair. Just did a 500 mile trip and the GL is perfect, never smoother, quieter or faster. So far very happy with the entire situation.
01-05-2017, 09:15 PM
GL 350 Service visit going down path of new motor
