silkynitro

How often should you have to replace engine mounts?

I have had a bad week, very disappointed with my 2009 C220CDI W204 in the last week I've replace

1. Water Pump
2. Thermostat housing
3. Intercool charge air hose $2889.00
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4. All engine mounts $2000.00
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All up it's cost me $4889.00 not happy this is the first Benz I've owed and it's going to the last.

I will be trading it in on a Hyundai which I previously owned for 10yrs, at the next sign of trouble, I'm 62, and I have never replaced any of the above in any of the cars I've owned.

I have wanted a Benz all my life and finally got one, what a mistake,

Doa

my previous W204 C200 CDI did 380 000km without any problem.
my current W204 same thing, 81000km without a single problem and both got a 40% power increase with chip tuning

Knightmare69

I find recent MB's (like last 5-8yrs) the quality is hit or miss. Some get really good ones and others get problematic ones.

silkynitro

Mine has done 120,000 Km I still didn't expect these problems, I'm in negotiation with MB to at least supply the parts. As I said, I have never replaced these parts on my previous cars.

Doa

it sucks if such stuff happens but it can happen with any car.
our bmw E92 has some issue about once a month... damn piece of crap

Carsy

Sorry to hear of the faults.

I would be interested to know more details on why these parts you mention had to be changed.

Was the water pump seals leaking or was it the bearings ?

What happened to the thermo housing. Usually the thermostat itself only needs changing.

Can't think why intercooler charge air hose would fail.

As for all engine mounts failing . Just cannot see how they can be faulty on a 2009 with 120,000 km on the clock.

Did you buy the car new ? How is it driven ? . Has it overheated?

Who diagnosed the faults ?.

I reckon you should deal directly with MB Australia & receive a great deal of help & an explanation.

Who diagnosed all the faults ?

silkynitro

The MB dealership diagnosed all the faults.

1. Water pump leaking from impellar seal

2. Thermostat housing) sensor leaking from at top of thermostat housing removed and replaced.

3. Found oil leaking from charge air system right side boost house, at seal & charge hose contaminated from oil.

I'm the second owner I was told it was a MB dealership car.

I bought it from MB dealership in Brisbane, it was originally from NSW.

I haven't had the mounts replaced as yet (I'v had all the other work done) I'm negotiation with MB customer service.

The dealership has quoted me $2000.00

$1200.00 for the mounts the rest is labour (4hrs to replace the RH side & 3hrs for LH & Tran.

Not to my knowledge it has over heated & driven hard?

I have no idea why it would take that long to replace 3 mounts I reckon I could do it in less time, unless MB comes to the party I might have too.



I have just replaced a engine mount on the wife's VW convertible 1996 golf 250000km it took 15 minutes

Carsy

Thanks Silky Nitro,

What are the symptoms causing the dealership to decide on changing all engine mounts ?

My engine vibrates a little at start up & stop since new.

Sounds ludicrous at that mileage unless oil has perished them. With the engine developing 400 Nm of torque ( same as some V8 petrol engines) I wonder, being a dealers car , whether this torque was 'explored' too regularly causing a shorter life of the mounts. I may be completely wrong here.

Make sure the dealer is not " over servicing" you.

Good luck & keep us informed on how you go.

C300Sport

I'm not one that generally downs the MB service department but it seems like they may be over doing it. It's hard to say not knowing the car's condition or history but seems a bit unlikely that all three would fail. Did you ask for the damaged/failed parts for your first service? I have asked for a bent control arm in the past(not MB) and low and behold it turns out it really wasn't bent and they didn't have to replace it after all....

silkynitro

I'm not sure, I'm going to see if I can speak to the mechanic today, however, I do feel a slight vibration when I power on from 60 to 80 and up to the speed limit 100, but I put that down to a few things like tyres/road condition,also its the first diesel I have owned, maybe I was wrong i'll will keep you all informed thanks.

I kept the intercooler charge hose and I'm reasonably sure it didn't need changing it looks okay to me.

They quoted me $821.00 (charge hose)and I just refused to pay it, so MB stepped in and gave me a special price of $287.00.

Carsy

I have just looked at the WIS ( MB workshop manual) for my 2007 built w204 220CDI .

"There was a service information bulletin for engines # 640,642,646 (mine),647.648.
Charge Air Hoses which have been replaced due to damaged or leaking sealing rings can be ordered individually ( see EPC) (parts list ).

Therefore the complete charge air hose does not have to be replaced in the event of defective sealing rings"

So if the air charge pipe is not damaged you should only pay for the labour & sealing rings.

There has been a recall in the past but my car was not on the list.

This may not be relevant but my engine has had a slight 'oil mist' weep since new where the tappet cover vent meets the air hose going to the turbo. &( at the front of the engine)

silkynitro

Afternoon Carsy

Have just spoken to the mechanic of (25yrs) regarding the engine mounts the RH is worse than the LH side so he has suggested I replace all 3.

When he got in and drove the car he notice the vibration and confirmed it's definitely engine mounts.

Now just waiting to see if MB will help out here with some good will it's going to take a few days.

On the Charge Air Hoses he did say that I didn't have to replace it, but, on a closer look their is a soft spot and is sticky where the oil has been laying on the hose so he's being cautious at my expense

Cheers

Phil

Carsy

Hope MB will come good,

John.

silkynitro

Also meant to say, the mechanic told me today expect to replace the engine mounts between 60 - 100k.

Gee whiz doesn't say much about the quality of the MB mounts

I said to him I have never replaced Water pumps/thermostat housings or mounts in any of my cars.

So I, guess when you buy these prestige cars you have to trade them before the warranty runs out.

Oh! and by the way, the mechanic also told me he's never replaced engine mounts on this model so it looks like i'll be charged the MB full allotted time

So it looks like I'll have to do it myself ain't going to pay them about $1000.00 to learn. fingers crossed MB comes good on their good will

Carsy

Hello Phil,

I cannot believe that the engine mounts have to be changed every 60-100 k.

If that were so it would not be the first time this bloke has done one. He would be an expert by now . Something does not smell right here.

I have not heard of anyone else having this problem .It it cost $2000 every 100,000 km just to have the engine mounts changed no one would buy this car especially second hand. I would just not accept this from MB Australia.

I would do some more digging.

You are making me panic stricken every time I start the bloody thing !!!

All the best,

John.

Knightmare69

Does anyone have pics of the engine mounts? Let's say the OP decides to replace all 3 this time, is it possible to fill the mounts with urethane to prolong the life?

silkynitro

Absolutely correct, neither can I accept that, I'll be pushing MB on this one after the last invoice.

. I agree, I spoke to the spare parts guys and they said they have never sold any mounts for this model, they also mentioned they hadn't sold a water pump thermostat housing or charge air hose according to their computer system (for this model)for that matter

And that's what I have been saying to MB customer service you don't buy a prestige car to have your mounts fall apart.



Well on the up side he (mechanic) said the motor won't fall out

Yeah, thanks John

Cheers

Phil

silkynitro

I have been trying to source the parts my self no luck as yet, if anyone can help I would really appreciate it.

These are the part No

RH side A2122404117
LH side A2122404217
Tran A2122400418

Thanks

Phil

Carsy

Phil,
Try:- www.europartsonline.com.au

http://www.mbspares.com.au/ Canberra

Google may find some more.

John

silkynitro

Thanks will do

Cheers

silkynitro

While trying to source these engine mounts. I'm not amused, the spare parts guy in Brisbane said it's quite common for these mounts to be replaced.

MB Brisbane Price $1111.00 for all 3 mounts

http://www.mbspares.com.au/ Canberra $526.00 all 3

silkynitro

I don't think I'm going to have any luck getting MB to help me out on these mounts, reason being the car has traveled 120k,

It looks like that's the life of their quality parts, I wonder what's going to fall apart next.

If there's a lesson to learnt here, if you want to own a Merc and you haven't got deep pockets, make sure you buy a new or demo with plenty of warranty.

I should know tomorrow what the out come is going to be, either way I'm sure I won't be happy with the out come.

Carsy

Fingers Crossed.

Is there any way you can find out more on the cars previous history ? . If it was ever owned by a private individual at any time it would be interesting to ring him & ask of the type of use. . Also the MB dealer who had it from new.

There has to be a reason for a 2009 year car with 120,000 km to have the engine mounts fail. For Christs sake it's not run in yet.

I spoke to my local dealers mechanic regarding your engine mount problem.

He said that he had not experienced any problem with the 4 cyl W 204 diesel C Class.

He changed mounts in a 2001 E250 Class the other day so they do last.

He mentioned that they are high tech engineered to minimise all vibration & do not have the longevity of the old solid rubber mounts.

He also said heavy acceleration & city driving hasten their demise. So I think this is the case you should present to MB.

Country drivers & moderate acceleration will lengthen their life hence a country dealer sees less problems.

silkynitro

I'd like to know how long it should take to replace these 3 mounts on 2009 C220CDI W204, I've been quoted about 7 hours doesn't seem right.

Anyone know?

Cheers

Phil

Carsy

I forgot to ask Phil.


I have attached info from WIS on changing the mounts.

John