C-Class (W203) 2001-2007, C160, C180, C200, C220, C230, C240, C270, C280, C300, C320, C230K, C350, Coupe

Please add info if your car has head/valve failure/loss of compression/misfiring M271

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Old Oct 26, 2007 | 07:13 PM
  #1  
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From: San Jose, CA
2005 G500
Please add info if your car has head/valve failure/loss of compression/misfiring M271

My car hit 78k miles and suddenly the check engine light starting flickering on and off. I took the vehicle in to Oakland MBZ and they informed me that I was losing compression on cylinders #1,2 and 3 and that it would cost $6,000 to fix as I was out of warranty. I took it to Smythe European and they concured the findings of Oakland. They offered to pay for the parts which were $2,700 but I would have to pick up the bill on the labor which is about $2,200. I THINK THIS IS BS........a car should last WAY longer then 80k miles before the motor needs work. This is clearly a manufacturers defect and I would like to have some data to back this up.

If you have suffered the same issue as I'm going through, can you please post the following on your vehicle:

Year:
Model:
Mileage when issue occured:
Resolution:
Dealership:

Please try and stay on topic so that we can have a concise neat thread about this manufacturers defect

I have a feeling that are quite a few members here that will have or have this problem and the info here will greatly assist them in reaching a just solution with MBZ. I am also forwarding this information on to the California Bureau of Automotive Repair.

Last edited by edd1e22; Oct 26, 2007 at 07:19 PM.
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Old Oct 26, 2007 | 07:16 PM
  #2  
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"Double Stuff" SOLD | Nor*Cals "Pesky Audi"
STAY AWAY FROM SMYTHE!!!! they had my car for 30days and STILL didnt get it fixed. On top of the car left with mulitple other problems. I avoided MB of pleasnaton as well. thats where my problems started. I finally felt comfortable dealing with Stead in walnut creek. Honest and very effiecient.

I had something similar happen but it was a laundry list of stuff that went on. 7 services in 45 days by 3 diff dealerships.


best of luck


Year: 2003
Model: C230 SS
Mileage when issue occured: 61,800
Resolution: too much to write out. multiple issues
Dealership: MB of Pleasanton, Smythe European, finally ended at Stead in Walnut Creek



btw, you might some info in here, mainly with my case, as there were many problems.

https://mbworld.org/forums/c-class-w203/199047-help-rough-idle-check-engine-light-codes-p0301-p0302-p0303-p0304.html

Last edited by BadAssC230k; Oct 26, 2007 at 07:31 PM.
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Old Oct 26, 2007 | 07:17 PM
  #3  
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From: San Jose, CA
2005 G500
Year: 2004
Model: C230 SS
Mileage when issue occured: 78k
Resolution: Pending
Dealership: Smythe European
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Old Oct 26, 2007 | 07:29 PM
  #4  
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try autobhan
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Old Oct 26, 2007 | 07:43 PM
  #5  
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'03 C230
Year:2003
Model:C230 SS
Mileage when issue occured:First occured @25K and @40K
Resolution:@25K under warranty @40K out of warranty, but since the problem occurred again and not so long ago, they took care of it free of charge.
Dealership: Park Ave. Motors Palo Alto
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Old Oct 26, 2007 | 08:43 PM
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2005 C55, 1988 260E, 2000 Chevrolet Silverado
I wonder if it is really the compression or just them following Mercedes trouble shoting? When mine started acting up it gave a code for missing on cyclinders #1, #2, #4 and some other codes. When I first read the service info on there disc it talked about the problems you are facing. But doing more research I found it to be our favorite pcv hose for $12.00 and labor. It causes lots of the same problems. Loss of power and engine light with some noise to. I don't know if this could be it but I have 97,000 miles with no problems. I just did a compression test with perfect results across all four cyclinders. Some times you have to take the blinders off so you can see the real problem.
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Old Oct 27, 2007 | 11:36 AM
  #7  
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From: sf
04' c230 sedan, 06' e90
this happened to me before but i only had 41000 miles or so. i have an 04' c230. the check engine went on once really quickly then went away. i brought it in to MBSF and they said cylinder #2 loss power/ compression and they fixed it under warranty but if i was to pay, it'd be around 4 grand.
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Old Oct 28, 2007 | 01:01 AM
  #8  
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E400 Cabriolet
My head came off at 50,100 miles

Here is the info that you requested

Year: 2003
Model: c230 sedan M271
Mileage when issue occurred: 50,100
Resolution: Fixed under extended warranty
Dealership: Smythe European (San Jose, Ca)

In my case the check engine light came on and it indicated that I had a misfire in all four cylinders. The ultimate fix involved a new cylinder head, new mass air flow sensor, another sensor maybe intake air temp, a new injector or fuel rail due to a small fuel leak and a new bypass hose and clamp for the supercharger. I had to go back more than once to get it all fixed but they did eventually fix everything.

I am not complaining they provided me with a free rental car each time (a newer C class then mine) and my car runs better now then it did when it was new. I have put 10,000 miles on the since the repair and I have no problems.

Hopefully this helps.

One last item I am so glad that I bought the extended warranty from Lisa in Chico. I think it was this forum that directed me to her.

Good Luck

Paul
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Old Oct 28, 2007 | 08:22 PM
  #9  
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it might be just the partial load vent hose

I noticed on another Mercedes site that someone had just replaced a hose and it fixed the problem that you are having.

The part number that was listed was A23B 271 018-12-82.

According to a MB Tech in FLA he has replaced several of these hoses with good results.

If this works for you please post here so that others will know.
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Old Oct 28, 2007 | 08:56 PM
  #10  
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From: Oregon
2005 C55, 1988 260E, 2000 Chevrolet Silverado
Originally Posted by p_gill
I noticed on another Mercedes site that someone had just replaced a hose and it fixed the problem that you are having.

The part number that was listed was A23B 271 018-12-82.

According to a MB Tech in FLA he has replaced several of these hoses with good results.

If this works for you please post here so that others will know.
Thats the one I was talking about. It gives you all the same problems.
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Old Nov 5, 2007 | 03:14 PM
  #11  
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From: San Jose, CA
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They did a compression test on my motor and I was losing compression on cylinder #1 which was showing 115 hot. Normal is 150. I wish it was just the hose.......

Anyone else that has had their head replaced?
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Old Nov 14, 2007 | 01:39 PM
  #12  
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From: San Jose, CA
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bump...

Update....MBZ has offered to cover 100% parts and 25% labor. They informed me that the head failure is not UNUSUAL which is why they are only covering 25% of labor. Anyone else encounter this BS?
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Old Nov 16, 2007 | 11:19 PM
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CL203 & sprinter
Originally Posted by edd1e22
Update....MBZ has offered to cover 100% parts and 25% labor. They informed me that the head failure is not UNUSUAL which is why they are only covering 25% of labor. Anyone else encounter this BS?
cl203 2002 model
I had something like that happen to mine with 50,000km on the clock. It was still under warranty at the time.
I never knew what had happen to it as i didnt care cause i had warranty.
The engine fault sensor went off while i was at the lights.. i continued to drive and only had a misfire, then at the next lights, as i took off it stalled.
Mercedes had the vehicle in for 5 working days and had apparently given the engine a 'refurbishment'.
But i dont care.. i've had so many problems with the car.. if anything else happens im more that happy to drive it through the dealership.
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Old Nov 17, 2007 | 02:32 PM
  #14  
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this is intresting, i was talking to a tech from MBSD yesterday saying they were pulling heads on cars w/ mileage in the teens due to valve failiure.

good luck!
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Old Nov 19, 2007 | 01:36 AM
  #15  
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Happy to have M111....tried and true.
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Old Nov 19, 2007 | 01:47 AM
  #16  
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2002 C230 coupe , NOt THE AVATAR!!
Originally Posted by C230 Sport Coup
Happy to have M111....tried and true.
what the difference lol?

btw why is smythe that bad??
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Old Nov 19, 2007 | 01:52 AM
  #17  
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MB USA attitude is if it breaks under warranty.....we're stuck fixing it and we will. If it breaks after....**** you....you fix it. The long drawn out battle to get to the partial payment has involved threats of litigation, countless emails and also threats of contacting the CA BAR(bureau of automotive repair). I am never buying a fuking MBZ again.

Oh yeah...the kicker.....my AC is failing now too. It constantly turns off and fails to turn on again. Aparently this is another MBZ issue. Fuking QC on these cares rivals Kia. At least with a Kia you get a 100k warranty.
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Old Nov 19, 2007 | 06:43 AM
  #18  
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Originally Posted by edd1e22
MB USA attitude is if it breaks under warranty.....we're stuck fixing it and we will. If it breaks after....**** you....you fix it. The long drawn out battle to get to the partial payment has involved threats of litigation, countless emails and also threats of contacting the CA BAR(bureau of automotive repair). I am never buying a fuking MBZ again.

Oh yeah...the kicker.....my AC is failing now too. It constantly turns off and fails to turn on again. Aparently this is another MBZ issue. Fuking QC on these cares rivals Kia. At least with a Kia you get a 100k warranty.
same prob here in australia.. nothing different
i called up the head office.. the d**khead said.. look, your out of warranty, i'm not getting into a discussion, i dont even know why im talking to you..
and then hangs up.

thats the prestigious aftersales care the brochure must have been talking about.
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Old Nov 23, 2007 | 06:04 PM
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Cylinder 1 Misfire C230 Coupe, M271 Engine

A couple of months out of warranty my 2003 C 230 Kompressor Coupe (49K miles, automatic) has started to give me a CEL with a P301 (Cyl 1 Misfire) only when the engine is warm and I put it in neutral or park. I can drive it all day, it idles fine in gear, but if I take it out of gear it will misfire noticeably and the CEL light will come on. If I drive it, the misfire continues (rough RPM, loss of power), but if I turn off engine and restart, the problem goes away. I have tried swapping the Cyl 1 Ignition Pack and Spark Plug, but the problem remains on Cylinder 1. My non-dealer MB tech spent a few hours looking for cause, but appears to be valve failure. I have an appointment this Monday at dealer, expecting need to do battle. Any further ammunition (service bulletins, etc)
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Old Nov 25, 2007 | 06:35 PM
  #20  
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in between cars
edd1e22; you have a PM
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Old Nov 26, 2007 | 06:57 AM
  #21  
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My gas sipping C-Class
2005 with 118,000 miles and no issues like that. I sure hope it doesn't happen either.
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Old Nov 26, 2007 | 09:59 PM
  #22  
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From: Illinois
'04 Mars Red C230K 6 sp.
2004 C230K Coupe
50,00 miles when it started misfiring and wouldn't idle
Dealer said the valve springs were faulty and allowed engine to carbon up so bad it wouldn't run.
They replaced the valve springs under warranty.
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Old Nov 29, 2007 | 02:47 PM
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W203 271 Engine Cyl 1 Misfire Problem

Year:2003
Model:230 Kompressor Coupe
Mileage when issue occured:50K (9 months out of warranty)
Resolution: Dealer replaced that troublesome vacuum hose for $350, all was fine ......... for around 25 miles. Took car back, was advised that borescope revealed excess buildup on exhaust valve and required head to come off and replace valves and guides. Guess what, they said without prompting that there would be no charge to me.
Dealership:Atlanta Classic Cars
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Old Jan 13, 2008 | 08:35 PM
  #24  
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I would complain...

Originally Posted by Adi_V
same prob here in australia.. nothing different
i called up the head office.. the d**khead said.. look, your out of warranty, i'm not getting into a discussion, i dont even know why im talking to you..
and then hangs up.

thats the prestigious aftersales care the brochure must have been talking about.
Get that guy fired...
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Old Jan 17, 2008 | 05:57 PM
  #25  
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Update

I ended up footing the bill on the 1/4 of the labor. I paid using my amex and wrote bull**** on the receipt. After I left the dealer, I called amex immediately and disputed the charge. I informed them I had been coerced into paying as they had my car. You guys should all give that a try next time they screw you.
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