v12alp

Hi guys, I'm new here, but have been following the forum for the past few years. I have 2005 c55 with 43k miles. About a week ago, I started the car and immediately heard really strange engine sound. It was sort of knocking or rattling which was getting louder as I was stepping on the gas. At that time I was able to drive the car around. I took it to my mechanic and there goes my ordeal. Guys at the shop took the engine out, opened it up and told me that my crankshaft was damaged. Visually it didn't look too bad and they said that sending it to machine shop would probably help me. Once at the machine shop, I learned that it was not just the bearings, the crankshaft was deformed as well, and they could not straighten it out. Now, I'm facing two options: either get a new crankshaft from the dealer or purchase a used motor in order to avoid any other potential issues if something else is damaged other than my crankshaft. I don't really know what to do because in either case the cost of repair will be around $7500. Any suggestions about where to get an engine or maybe there is someone who knows someone who is selling? I was also thinking about selling it as is...

MIKESV8

welcome to the forums, if i were you, i'd get rid of the car ASAP

v12alp

You mean just selling it as is?

MBfinatic

If its broken now I don't think you will be able to sell it for much...

Mark.D

Wow, with that low miles.... horrible. For re-sale, I'd fix the motor over getting a new one.

v12alp

It is really f'ed up because the car was not driven hard and was taken cared of. Mechanic really scared me by saying that there might be something else wrong besides the crankshaft...wtf. The car is worthless without this engine...

loudandheard

If you are in the U.S., you could probably get a used engine for $7000.

v12alp

Prices range from like 5k to 8k...but there really few of them...

loudandheard

I just find it so odd and what kind of mechanic are you taking your car to. He took out the whole engine?

v12alp

I have been going to this guy for years. He got a whole engine out...why...I have no clue because I have never dealt with crankshaft issues...

kjb55

Any chance this shop isn't reputable? A deformed crankshaft? On this motor? That wasn't abused?

I hate to play monday morning quarterback - but I would have immediately sought a second opinion. How about something simple like a leaking exhaust manifold gasket that would give you similar symptoms.

loudandheard

Did he give you an idea of what caused the crankshaft to bend? Did you ever have your main crank pulley taken off for what ever reason?

v12alp

I got this car in January 2010 with 27k. A week after I got the car, I had an issue with oil sensor which was replaced by the dealer. Regular oil changes, some inspired driving here and there. Like I said, he sent a crankshaft to a very reputable machine shop in Jersey...he told me that he could only visualize damage on bearings which was not too bad and could be easily fixed...but a slight bent in crankshaft makes the entire repair obsolete. It's a pretty reputable place..he has few newer M5's in it and whole bunch of amg's. That's the first thing he checked for in regards to exhaust manifold gasket.

v12alp

I never touched the pulley. He told me that engine oil level was lower and it could have possibly overheated causing damage to crankshaft when it started to grind...he also mentioned car being abused.

loudandheard

Even if it was abused, I would think the problem would have showed up sooner then later. I know that C55s use a bit of oil, but how low could it have been? When I changed my wife's oil in her C55, it was down to 6 quarts. Did you get a part number for the crankshaft? You may want to try parts.com to see if it's cheaper than at the dealer.

v12alp

It's pretty much down to this: either new crankshaft from the dealer or used engine...I tried searching, calling places all over the country. It's freaking devastating.

loudandheard

Parts.com has the crankshaft for $2444, http://www.parts.com/oemcatalog/inde...layCatalogid=0

saer1one

$2,340 @ http://www.oediscountparts.com/partl...layCatalogid=0

v12alp

Are these reputable sites?

loudandheard

I can speak for parts.com, they are OEM parts direct from a dealership.

mrobinso

To the OP - I am really sorry to hear about your bad luck. I have heard of this happening when people overfill the engine oil level and it froths and covers the crankshaft and causes it to fail (part or all of that may be incorrect, I am just recalling what I think someone told me).

I am sure I am not the only C55 owner who read this thread and find its scary as s***.

Mark.D

Yeah what the hell. I bought my car with 20k miles and its almost to 40k, so I've got similar miles and age.

Viper98912

This must be a rare occasion, definitely havent heard of this before.

v12alp

Weird thing is that car did not produce any warning signs...out of the blue. It's horrible, i'm still in shock.

Shifter

How much would you sell the car for as is?