mbforlife86

Hey guys,

I'm new to the MB community. I bought my first MB back in November of 2012 of last year and have had a pretty trouble free experience so far. I have about 27,000 miles on it so far.

Recently, the car has started exhibiting some strange behaviors. For example, when I start the car it makes a rattling noise for a few seconds before it goes away. Second, the car has a really rough idle and will occasionally stall, resulting in having to restart the car. Then today, while I was pulling into a parking lot it just stalled while the car was in motion and made some really strange noises. Has anyone else experienced such issues.

I was looking through the E Class (W212) section and found a bunch of bulletins for the M276 engine. Has anyone had the bulletins performed on their car?

My servicing dealer (Hoy Fox in El Paso) is a real pain in the *** to work with so I was thinking of either going to Alderson in Lubbock or MBZ Albuquerque to have these campaigns and bulletins performed. Does anyone have experience with either one of these dealers?

Thanks for your help.

107123210

I would not drive the car like that. Call MB dealer or AA and have it towed to which ever dealer you have most confidence in. They should cover towing cost and perhaps give you a loaner car.

schwartyj

My 2013 was stalling a bunch as well. The dealer did a software update a month or so back and I haven't had any issues since.

mbforlife86

Just a quick update.

Yesterday the car had a check engine light come on, after a really long and rough start. It took the engine about 5 seconds to crank over.

I called roadside assistance and they towed the car to the nearest dealer, Hoy Fox in El Paso. I got a call from my SA that they did a software update to the ECU, and are now a ordering parts to fix the timing chain. They are also adding non-return check valves as per a directive from MBUSA. They think the CEL came on because of a bad camshaft or camshaft position sensor. So now a tech from MBUSA is looking at the engine.

Hopefully they figure this out. For those of you with a 2013+ V6 M276 engine should have your dealers check it out ASAP.

I will keep you all posted as to the outcome of this.

Drew

RobMande

Very interesting! Please keep us updated as I am having these exact issues as well. I have extremely rough idle at times when starting and have to hold the accelerator down to bring the RPMS up to make it go away. I have also had the car die on me when starting multiple times.

Gt. Dane

Is there a reason you didn't take it to the dealer?

RobMande

I actually did but as always "couldn't duplicate the problem"

mbforlife86

There is a service bulletin for this. LI07.08-P-055310 MAR13 - 276 engine all models, 278 in model 166 shuts off immediately after starting. Symptom is common on restarts after short trips and/or short engine off periods (10-60 minutes) – no relevant fault codes. Software update is now available Bulletins 207 coupe & 212 sedan - This is from Konigstiger in the W212 forum.

Also, per mb techman, there is a bulletin where they are supposed to change the timing chain tensioner and add some check valves: https://mbworld.org/forums/attachmen...-noise-276.pdf

mbforlife86

Update: I heard they were waiting for the check valves and new tensioners for the timing chain to perform the bulletin for the M276 engines.

They still haven't quite figured out the exact cause of the CEL. He said the camshaft position sensor readings are way off and they have changed the CPS's already. Next up might be new camshafts for the engine, which would have to be flown in from Germany.

107123210

Gosh that is disconcerting. Earlier V-6 cars apparently had a similar problem (2005/7) and it put me off from buying a used 2006 ML350. You would have thought they would have got it right by now.

We have Bluetec on order. Phew!

mbforlife86

...

mbforlife86

.

mbforlife86

10/2/2013: They have changed the camshafts per Mercedes tech line and have now found that the cylinder heads are worn out. So they are ordering a new cylinder head.

What should I do with this car? I feel quite unsafe driving it even after they fix this as the car only has 27K miles. Should I demand that MBUSA buy the car back? I am so bloody confused.

mike-nc

Did I read that right, you have 27K miles on a 2013 or is it 2700 miles?

Either way, I'm not sure that the cylinder head would be "worn out" unless the camshafts damaged it from your original problem.

Sorry to hear that you are having problems, I'm not sure what I would do in your position. If you really want to keep it, you could insist on a free extended warranty or as you suggest, just get MB to take it back.

Please keep us posted how things work out.

mbforlife86

Yeah you read correctly, 27000 miles.

I already have the extended warranty so I am going to pressure them to take the car back and I will gladly buy another one.

bop11

How do you "wear out" a head. They warp, the valve seats and seal go bad, the cam shaft bearing go bad, etc. They should be more specific as that can tell you something about what the malfunction has done to the rest of the engine. I would think that at a minimum they should replace the engine as improper combustion can do marvelous things to pistons and cylinder to say nothing about crankshaft bearings and cam gear supports. The cats are probably suspect as well as the injectors. A warranty is to protect you from the once in a lifetime type big expense, not a weekly trip to the dealer. Every company will have made a bad widget now and then, so they should just own up and replace the motor not bandaid it until the rest of the vehicle ages out.
Good luck

Koenig1

X2...

Showa

Op, Sorry about the car's issues. I think MB should buy back your car. GL

mbforlife86

I've got a claim in with MBUSA for a buyback. I just don't trust the long term reliability of this particular GLK even after they say they fix it. Call me crazy for thinking that. But when your engine is half torn apart and you are away from home ( I am from SoCal) you tend to lose faith in that particular vehicle.

Sheldallas

Just saw your note about the numerous problems you have had. I can relate to the one about the engine.

I have a 2012 C350 with the M276 engine, same as in your vehicle. After much trouble with my engine, cold start valve clatter sound lasting a minute or so until engine warmed,
I finally got a regional MB Tech to diagnose a faulty wrist pin (apparently a metal fatigue defect) on the connecting rod, causing the rod to loosen slightly from side to side causing the noise; I actually saw him demonstrate this with the rod from my engine in the shop. You could not hear the noise when the engine reached normal operating temp.

Yes, they had to pull the engine, and replace all 6 pistons and connecting rods; everything else on the top end of the engine was fine. Repair was done at 10,000 miles, and it has been 4 months since then; I am pleased to say, no further problems.

Apparently, this was a known problem on these engines built before December 2012; has since been fixed on newer engines. So if your engine is a pre December 2012, be aware.

Otherwise my vehicle has been great; have not had any other issue.

I would consider your vehicle a Lemon, under Texas law where I live.

I have found Mercedes to be an excellent company standing behind their vehicles in resolving any problem under warranty.

Good luck with resolution that hopefully is in your favor.

mbforlife86

Shel,

I think I remember my dealer stating that there was another case where they practically rebuilt the engine in Texas on a C350. Now after reading your story it sounds very similar to what he stated. The notes for your case sound exactly like what he told me.

My GLK was built in August 2012 from what I remember seeing on the data card and on the door jamb.

I am still driving around a loaner and am far away from home. I have a business here in Ruidoso, NM and and Hoy Fox was the closest dealer to where they would tow my car. I really do hope they buy the car back or lemon it since the car is still under California Lemon Law protection as the vehicle is registered in CA.

I have absolute faith in MBUSA that they will make things right as they have been pretty good at getting back to me so far.

Thanks for replying to this thread.

Sheldallas

Yes, sounds like my vehicle; totally disassembled, both top and bottom of engine; with every part being checked for tolerance, etc.

Not familiar with California Lemon Law but expect it to be more Consumer focused/(advocate) than here in Texas. I would pursue information from the State, and make your decision whether to pursue it or not.

I discussed but did not go with buyback; because my car was only 9 months old; the price MB wanted for a new vehicle replacement, based on the major depreciation in year 1, was not reasonable to me.

You mentioned you have the extended warranty; perhaps you could negotiate for the full repair, plus they extend the warranty even further; they go out to 7 years 125,000 miles; of course, this direction is only if you plan to keep the car.

You must deal with a Regional Level Tech Specialist at MB to get anywhere. The Company stands behind their warranties, if you have followed required maintenance, you are fully covered.

Good luck which ever way you go.

RedlineAZ

Hey man, have you ever thought about trying to get them to extend your warranty because of these issues? Get them to give you the certified warranty which would cover you for probably the entire length of your ownership. Or if you paid for an extended one already have them refund your costs and have them pick up the tab.

Bob338

Great thought! I just heard recently of some warranty case with an M-B got an extended warranty to 100,000 miles. Could have been on this board.

Ruidoso, NM? I spent the first 16 years of my life there when it was no more than a village with only a few summer cabins up river to the reservation, and nothing beyond the second crossing! Noisy Water Lodge was built while I was there. Still exist?

mbforlife86

I have the extended warranty which I purchased when I bought the car. At this point, short of a buyback or replacement I won't consider anything. My wife doesn't feel safe driving the car knowing that half the engine was ripped apart to fix something that failed prematurely.

Haha, yeah. Ruidoso, NM. I can't see why people would live here, nothing beats home like San Clemente, CA....great place to visit though. Noisy Water is still here. We own a hotel up here...which there are too many of now a days here in Ruidoso. The town is going through a bit of an expansion, yet sadly the city (village) is half backwards in its growth. They deny good projects and approve the crap ones.