MBUSA Says I need a new engine!!
Junior Member
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 51
Likes: 1
From: Ft Lauderdale, Florida
1993 400E
In any case, the oil filter did not cause a major failure like this.
I'll post more information after looking into this on Startek/Wis
Junior Member
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 51
Likes: 1
From: Ft Lauderdale, Florida
1993 400E
OK, now that I refreshed myself on WIS, (my first post was on my cell)
I was able to look over the lubrication system on the M271.
The oil filter is a standard element filter. 271-180-05 09 :M271.8
or 271-180-01 09 M271.9
There is no anti-drain back valve in this filter, as seen in some spin on metal filters.
So there is no "oil filter holding pressure on restart" issue
There is no way the wrong filter caused major engine damage as the filter
does not control oil pressure. Even a restricted filter won't as there is a bypass
circuit that at worst would allow dirt/debris to bypass the filter.
Dillon, post your VIN for one, I'll contact a friend at my old dealer and check on your warranty status.
Second thing I'd do is go buy a genuine MB filter, remove "the wrong" filter
and post side by side pics. I want to see what's "wrong" about the filter.
Third, find out what brand and part number filter Jiffy lube used.
Tell them if they want to prove they did not cause the problem, they'll give you the information.
I'm willing to help you prove one way or the other what happened and "IF" anyone is responsable.
I was able to look over the lubrication system on the M271.
The oil filter is a standard element filter. 271-180-05 09 :M271.8
or 271-180-01 09 M271.9
There is no anti-drain back valve in this filter, as seen in some spin on metal filters.
So there is no "oil filter holding pressure on restart" issue
There is no way the wrong filter caused major engine damage as the filter
does not control oil pressure. Even a restricted filter won't as there is a bypass
circuit that at worst would allow dirt/debris to bypass the filter.
Dillon, post your VIN for one, I'll contact a friend at my old dealer and check on your warranty status.
Second thing I'd do is go buy a genuine MB filter, remove "the wrong" filter
and post side by side pics. I want to see what's "wrong" about the filter.
Third, find out what brand and part number filter Jiffy lube used.
Tell them if they want to prove they did not cause the problem, they'll give you the information.
I'm willing to help you prove one way or the other what happened and "IF" anyone is responsable.
Last edited by clarkz71; Nov 30, 2013 at 10:23 AM.
Junior Member
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 51
Likes: 1
From: Ft Lauderdale, Florida
1993 400E
Wrong oil for a short period of time will not damage an engine. It is not good for it but will not cause catastrophic failure.
Fully understanding what they did with the oil filter could be the cause. Wrong size element.
O rings in the wrong place etc could cause trouble.
The fact that there is visible wear metal is a big worry.
Fully understanding what they did with the oil filter could be the cause. Wrong size element.
O rings in the wrong place etc could cause trouble.
The fact that there is visible wear metal is a big worry.
More then likely just swap out the filter. I know many dealer technicians
that practice this to save time. Kind of like the "too lazy" to drain the converter types.
Now if they removed the O-rings and didn't install new ones, or used the wrong size
that could be an issue. But MB didn't say that. They said wrong filter.
Last edited by clarkz71; Nov 30, 2013 at 10:19 AM.
Super Member
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 702
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From: Illinois
'08 C300 4Matic Sport, '02 530i
After a day or two of this happening the check engine light came on,
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From: Llandudno, Cape Town, South Africa
late 2009 CLK 350 Coupe Elegance, '65 Jaguar S Type wires
Glyn, I doubt the "technicians" at Jiffy Lube replace any of the O-rings.
More then likely just swap out the filter. I know many dealer technicians
that practice this to save time. Kind of like the "too lazy" to drain the converter types.
Now if they removed the O-rings and didn't install new ones, or used the wrong size
that could be an issue. But MB didn't say that. They said wrong filter.
More then likely just swap out the filter. I know many dealer technicians
that practice this to save time. Kind of like the "too lazy" to drain the converter types.
Now if they removed the O-rings and didn't install new ones, or used the wrong size
that could be an issue. But MB didn't say that. They said wrong filter.
I would like to understand what really went wrong here & who is BS'ing who.
I would not take my Benz to Jiffy Lube & dealers are only as good as their management & people. They vary from excellent to bloody awful & I have heard some utter crap spoken to customers around the world in my global oilco job.
That said the wrong oil would take a long while to show up as engine damage & the first signs on a Benz & indeed most brands would be in the cam & tappet area which is why Benz is so fanatical about HTHS in their service product testing regime.
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 7
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2012 Mercedes C250
Hey guys, sorry it's taken so long for me to reply I've just been pretty frustrated and didn't feel like talking about the situation. I finally got my car back and running as good as new!! I had Alfano take apart the engine to see just how much damage was done, only to find out that I didn't need a new engine. The intake camshaft adjuster and the center valve were damaged causing the check engine light to come on. $2900 later my car is back!!!! Thank you for all the suggestions and I hope that my situation can help some of you. Bottom line, if your car rattles on the start up, check your intake camshaft adjuster. Now I just have to take Jiffy lube to small claims court and try to get my money back.
Last edited by Dillonb1987; Feb 8, 2014 at 12:34 AM.
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Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 7
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2012 Mercedes C250
Hey guys, I finally got my car back and running as good as new!! I had Alfano take apart the engine to see just how much damage was done, only to find out that I didn't need a new engine. The intake camshaft adjuster and the center valve were damaged causing the check engine light to come on. $2900 later my car is back!!!! Thank you for all the suggestions and I hope that my situation can help some of you. Bottom line, if your car rattles on the start up, check your intake camshaft adjuster. Now I just have to take Jiffy lube to small claims court and try to get my money back.
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From: Germantown, MD/Rehoboth Beach, DE
2024 GLS450
Unless there is some sort of valve in the housing, there is no anti-drainback valve on the M271. I do my own oil changes, I've swapped filters 5 times now - it is just an element that slides onto the cap.
Super Member
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 702
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From: Illinois
'08 C300 4Matic Sport, '02 530i
Yup, typically in cars that utilize cartridge filters, like M272, the valve is actually inside the engine, not part of the filter itself. I believe it's the same on M271 which also uses a cartridge filter element.
Last edited by Pete7874; Feb 8, 2014 at 09:38 AM.
Super Member
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 702
Likes: 3
From: Illinois
'08 C300 4Matic Sport, '02 530i
Oh, and to clarify, the oil filter does not hold pressure while the vehicle is off, it holds the oil inside the oil filter so the oil can go where it needs to go as fast as possible. The oil filter that was installed by jiffy lube allowed the oil to drain causing the engine to run without oil for an extra 5 seconds every time is started the engine, which turns out to be a lot over time.
Do you still have the filter that Jiffy installed? What brand/model was it exactly? Maybe they just installed a wrong filter, but it had nothing to do with it not having an anti-drain back valve.
Member
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 237
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From: Tyler TX
C350
My question is, why would Jiffy Lube even feel confident enough to service a Mercedes. They should of told you they could not do it but of they are just in it for the moeny. They do not have any of the electronics required to do so or even a vacuum system for the recommended way to change it. Yes they can drain it from the bottom but this is not a Ford. I would never take my car to a quick/cheap oil change place. I spent too much money on my car to have it service by two fat guys named Burt and Bob.
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Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 198
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+1 for that. Once I was out of town and my wife brought the land rover into JL. The only thing that saved me was nobody there knew how to pop the hood 
... the release handle was on the passenger side. She told me they spent like 10 mins looking around for it before telling her they couldn't do it. I'd rather her drive an extra 1000 miles over than have JL service the car.
... the release handle was on the passenger side. She told me they spent like 10 mins looking around for it before telling her they couldn't do it. I'd rather her drive an extra 1000 miles over than have JL service the car.My question is, why would Jiffy Lube even feel confident enough to service a Mercedes. They should of told you they could not do it but of they are just in it for the moeny. They do not have any of the electronics required to do so or even a vacuum system for the recommended way to change it. Yes they can drain it from the bottom but this is not a Ford. I would never take my car to a quick/cheap oil change place. I spent too much money on my car to have it service by two fat guys named Burt and Bob.
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Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 1,479
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From: Nyack, NY
C300 Sport 4Matic
Hey guys, sorry it's taken so long for me to reply I've just been pretty frustrated and didn't feel like talking about the situation. I finally got my car back and running as good as new!! I had Alfano take apart the engine to see just how much damage was done, only to find out that I didn't need a new engine. The intake camshaft adjuster and the center valve were damaged causing the check engine light to come on. $2900 later my car is back!!!! Thank you for all the suggestions and I hope that my situation can help some of you. Bottom line, if your car rattles on the start up, check your intake camshaft adjuster. Now I just have to take Jiffy lube to small claims court and try to get my money back.
Also I know somebody who works at JL and he told me to never go there cuz 80% of the mechanics have no fu*%$ clue what they're doing lol
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 7
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2012 Mercedes C250
CONCLUSION
Hey everybody, thank you so much for your help and lending an ear to my venting about this whole difficult situation. My car is now FIXED! They replaced the camshaft adjuster and center valve. This cost about $2800. It's now been three months since it's been fixed and the motor is purrin!! ;-) I took all of the invoices I had and had one last conversation with the Jiffy Lube Manager and of course was told they will not pay for it. After trying to get him to change his mind I was then told "No is the answer if you don't like it, take us to court." So I did. Last Friday 04/18/2014 was my court date, today I got the ruling in the mail, I WON!!! Jiffy lube now owes me $2800 under court order!!
A little piece of advice if you did make the same mistake I made. Save yourself months worth of headaches, get it fixed and take them to court. I had a letter from MBUSA saying it was Jiffy Lubes fault so that was my main peice of evidence. I had all of the invoices, letters, work orders and a short one page version of my whole story with a table of contents in a binder that I gave to the judge and a duplicate I had for myself. You only get five minutes to tell your side of the story so highlight your main points and stick with that. Try to think of how they will counter and write down a few points you can counter back with when it's your turn and then that's it. I was in front of the judge for only about 15 minutes. It's a casual type of court setting but it doesn't hurt to be the best dressed in the room, I don't know if it helped but it gave me more confidence. This is the end of my story, and THANK YOU SO MUCH for helping me get through this whole F***ed up situation!!
A little piece of advice if you did make the same mistake I made. Save yourself months worth of headaches, get it fixed and take them to court. I had a letter from MBUSA saying it was Jiffy Lubes fault so that was my main peice of evidence. I had all of the invoices, letters, work orders and a short one page version of my whole story with a table of contents in a binder that I gave to the judge and a duplicate I had for myself. You only get five minutes to tell your side of the story so highlight your main points and stick with that. Try to think of how they will counter and write down a few points you can counter back with when it's your turn and then that's it. I was in front of the judge for only about 15 minutes. It's a casual type of court setting but it doesn't hurt to be the best dressed in the room, I don't know if it helped but it gave me more confidence. This is the end of my story, and THANK YOU SO MUCH for helping me get through this whole F***ed up situation!!
Last edited by Dillonb1987; Apr 25, 2014 at 11:36 PM.
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From: Illinois
'08 C300 4Matic Sport, '02 530i
Member
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From: Montreal
2009 C300 4Matic Sport + Premium 2
Just a simple word of advice. NEVER take your car to those places. EVER!
A few years ago my wife went there (without telling me first) and when she left the place, all the dash lights came on after 2 minutes. She called the place back and they came over saying it was nothing and just added a bit of oil. When she got back home and told me this I was freaking out. Upon my own inspection they had forgotten to put back engine oil, the car had no oil!
Ever since then the car had clunking noises coming from the engine. When I called back the same BS story "everything was fine when she left sir, blah blah". She could of easily won this in court but she sold the car a few months after instead she didn't want to keep it.
Just go a reputable indie dealer. Stay away from these places.
A few years ago my wife went there (without telling me first) and when she left the place, all the dash lights came on after 2 minutes. She called the place back and they came over saying it was nothing and just added a bit of oil. When she got back home and told me this I was freaking out. Upon my own inspection they had forgotten to put back engine oil, the car had no oil!
Ever since then the car had clunking noises coming from the engine. When I called back the same BS story "everything was fine when she left sir, blah blah". She could of easily won this in court but she sold the car a few months after instead she didn't want to keep it.
Just go a reputable indie dealer. Stay away from these places.
Last edited by RavenMDX; Apr 26, 2014 at 01:07 PM.
Junior Member
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 67
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From: Maryland
2011 C300 Sport 4Matic, 2004 Audi A4 1.8T Quattro Ultrasport, 2010 Subaru Forester
Thanks for sharing your experience with us and so glad that it worked out for you. I have to agree with everyone that this is a lesson to be learned for us all-stay away from unqualified service centers!
