DuaneC63

This is the part the is scary. MBZ says limp mode will save the engine but obviously in these situations hydro lock causes additional damage way beyond the head bolt failure and blown head gaskets. My local dealer tech told me to shut the car off and have it flatbedded to the dealer. Local MBZ dealers are stonewalling on requests for a copy of the service bulletin. This really pisses me off is they you're driving a time bomb waiting to self destruct. I've got an indy shop that will retro fit the upgraded head bolts for $1,000. That may seem excessive, but compared to a blown motor out of warranty, rather reasonable. Keep us updated.

Sincity

That's all? That incl headgaskets, exhaust manifold gaskets,new bolts, and labor? Are they able to do it without removing the heads? At first, I guestimated that it takes 5.0 hours to remove each head and James @ ACG confirmed the total job is 15 hours with the heads coming off.

jvanbrecht

I know it is probably in the thread somewhere, but I am in a rush and do not have time to search.

What are the bulletin numbers, I have a friend in the parts dep at my MB dealer, I want to try to get a copy (and no I will not post it here, MB does not want to release it for a reason, right or wrong, I do not want to get him in trouble, nor do I want to screw myself over in the event I have a problem)

Sincity

I hope that guys like JRCart or Dad will chime in because they ran NOS and I wonder what condition were their head bolts in when they removed their heads before getting them ported.

DuaneC63

Here's a Jpeg of the service bulletin reference

Sincity

Whatever happened to to JSP's engine? Did he have too much boost along with failing/failed headbolts?

DuaneC63

That was for replacement of the revised head bolt prior to a failure of the head gaskets. Hence the head don't need to be removed or the gaskets replaced. It's still a big job and very technical. Not a DYI for sure.

Sincity

Your indy confirmed the heads do not need to come off? That is great. Might be cheap insurance to have it done once we're out of warranty. But still BS on MB.....and I don't mean Black Series.

JohnnyUte

I'm looking at getting a used C63 but from private party. Is there any way I can check before buying the car if it's possible to buy an extended warranty for it? Could I give the service department the VIN to look up? How much are these repairs costing out of warranty?

DuaneC63

Any MBZ service advisor can get you the engine id if you know the vin. Don't know about 3rd party warranties, but I would really check into it to make sure the issue is covered. I have no estimate on the cost to repair at a dealer but I'd guess with their labor rates you're looking at something approaching $3k assuming no other damage occurs when the head bolts fail and head gasket goes. Vapor lock could occur which has the potental more serious damage (bent con rods, etc). Since the car is out of warranty you might consider a good indy to replace the head bolts before they fail. Still not cheap but less than an aftermarket warranty.

Mort

Duane I think you mean hydro lock not vapor lock.

DuaneC63

You are correct and I should known better having experienced vapor lock in a fuel system a few times.

DuaneC63

Update. I spoke with Mercedes Customer Service (Nicole Kennedy 800-367-6372x7809 who gave me the same information my local dealer service department did. MBZ-USA will not retro fit the new head bolts on a car until the part fails. I would suggest a letter writing campaign to:
Mr. Ralph Fisher
Mercedes-Benz USA LLC
Customer Assistance Center
Three Mercedes Drive
Montvale, NJ 07645-0350
If you have actually experienced the problem, please pm me with your VIN and a copy of the warranty repair order. MBZ-USA will not give a customer a copy of the bulletin.

bhamg

^ Duane - I see that you posted this info in the other threads also - thanks! I wonder if these three current coolant/head bolt threads can be merged and made a sticky?

DuaneC63

Good idea. I just don't know how to post a sticky.

bhamg

I think it has to be approved/blessed by the mods?

cdaledave89

I bought a 2009 from a private party a few months ago and immediately bought an extended warranty for it. I got a MB extended warranty from my local dealer. You'll have to shop around because different dealers will tell you different things. One dealer told me that my VIN number was not eligible for an extended waranty, one told me that since I bought it from a private party they couldn't offer the MB extended warranty, and one told me that a used car had to be CPO'ed to get an extended warranty. They will all quote you different prices for the same warranty and some will try to offer you a third party warranty that is "just as good as the MB warranty". Yeah, right.

DuaneC63

You got lucky. All the dealers in Cali would only offer the extended warranty on a CPO car.

bhamg

I searched for a list of mods on MBWorld and couldn't find anything. If anyone reading this thread knows of a mod or two by user name please post it here. I'll get in touch with him/her about stickying this thread and take it from there. Thx!

c32AMG-DTM

splinter
ScottW911
Vic55
Rock

^^^All good guys who I'm sure can help you out. GL!

bhamg

^ Awesome, thanks much c32!

BerBer63

im gonna ream some tech *** on amg private lounge during next session...if i can remember to make it on time

c32AMG-DTM

No worries, bhamg - happy to help. Hope you guys can get MB Corporate to reconsider their approach here.

Take care; have a good one.

late_bloomer

Did Amg start replacing different head studs after unit 0060658? Anyone see old vs new parts? It seems it would be difficult to know for sure if newer models are affected.

Anyone with tunes/ aftermarket parts having dealership fight repairs while still in warranty?

Sincity

I thought I saw a picture somewhere here in this forum