M156 head bolt problems
Junior Member
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 70
Likes: 0
From: Chicago
2009 C63 AMG
Can someone check my VIN: WDDGF77XX9F209870
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 2,824
Likes: 399
From: Houston, TX
2014 E63 AMGs, 2015 F-150 Lariat, 2010 Porsche C4S
Can someone check my VIN: WDDGF77XX9F209870
Once again, any M156 in a car that's 2010 or older is affected.
Thanks,
Joe
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 2,824
Likes: 399
From: Houston, TX
2014 E63 AMGs, 2015 F-150 Lariat, 2010 Porsche C4S
Banned
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 2,811
Likes: 7
C63 AMG
It does not significantly increase mean effective cylinder pressure
The main factors imo are hours run and more so hours run under high load, eg, that ratio
Super Member
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 579
Likes: 41
S63
Im Sorry... does that mean if I'm womping on the throttle a lot, THAT would increase the possibility (no matter of it were the stock or LTH)? 
Thank you for your response.
Thank you for your response.
Banned
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 2,811
Likes: 7
C63 AMG
The more stress (~mean eff cylinder pressure) on the bolts the more they stretch/relax and fatigue the sooner they will fail
MB World Stories
The Best of Mercedes & AMG
Manual Mercedes? 6 Times Sindelfingen Let Drivers Have All The Fun
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren
Verdad Gallardo
8 Classic Boxy Mercedes Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine
Verdad Gallardo
Flawlessly Restored Mercedes 190E Evo II Heads to Auction
Verdad Gallardo
Electric Mercedes C-Class Unveiled: 11 Things You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes EQS Gets A Major Update: Everything You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
5 Underrated Mercedes-Benz Models That Don't Get the Love They Deserve
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes 300D Has Pushed Well Past 1 Million Miles and It Ain't Stopping
Verdad Gallardo
10 Most Reliable Mercedes-Benz Models You Can Buy Used
Verdad Gallardo
Super Member
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 579
Likes: 41
S63
Thank you very much for the help
Banned
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 2,811
Likes: 7
C63 AMG
But the increased high load use of the car
2 cars one with and one without lth's
If both are used the same the chance would be the same
Super Member
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 579
Likes: 41
S63
Super Member
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 815
Likes: 2
From: Fla. Snowbird.
Porsche 911 Turbo S 2014! E63S 14, Audi S8 13, CLS63 12, E550 12, C63 09, all tuned
I wish I had picture of the old bolts, with rust around the head of each one.
Also a picture of the new designed replacement bolts, totally reverse design heads. Basically all the bolts are going to fail eventually. Beats me why MB/AMG is not doing a recall.
Also, MB should be repairing all engines at no charge, this would be at least exceptable!
Also a picture of the new designed replacement bolts, totally reverse design heads. Basically all the bolts are going to fail eventually. Beats me why MB/AMG is not doing a recall.
Also, MB should be repairing all engines at no charge, this would be at least exceptable!
Banned
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 2,811
Likes: 7
C63 AMG
I wish I had picture of the old bolts, with rust around the head of each one.
Also a picture of the new designed replacement bolts, totally reverse design heads. Basically all the bolts are going to fail eventually. Beats me why MB/AMG is not doing a recall.
Also, MB should be repairing all engines at no charge, this would be at least exceptable!
Also a picture of the new designed replacement bolts, totally reverse design heads. Basically all the bolts are going to fail eventually. Beats me why MB/AMG is not doing a recall.
Also, MB should be repairing all engines at no charge, this would be at least exceptable!
It makes no economic sense for MB Do anything now since the rate is so low
There are warranty limitations for a reason
They protect the buyer AND the seller
They impose a time limitation so it is not open ended
Can't warranty something forever and can't claim until you actually have damages/failure
And we always have legal recourse
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 5,351
Likes: 1,677
From: Kitchener, ON
2010 C63 AMG
Newbie
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 11
Likes: 1
2009 SL63
I know this is a C63 thread, but I thought it would be best I post my SL63 issue here. It looks like I am another head bolt statistic. I own a 2009 SL63 (Build date is actually 2008). It only has 54K KM, about 33K miles. A week back I had a "low coolant" light come on. My coolant was a quart low and I topped it up. There was no fluids on the floor so I assumed I had an internal leak. Few days later, I checked the coolant and it was low again about a half a quart. There were no other symptoms with my car. It ran smooth and without issue.
I took my car to a dealership today and they did a pressurized test on the coolant system. There appears to be an internal leak as pressure was not being built up. They suspect its the head gasket at this point. I await further diagnosis over the next few day. I do have CPO and it sounds like it will be covered by the Star warranty (In Canada). Thanks you all for the posts as after reading all these posts here, I decided to take the car in right away. Probably saved me from serious engine damage!
I took my car to a dealership today and they did a pressurized test on the coolant system. There appears to be an internal leak as pressure was not being built up. They suspect its the head gasket at this point. I await further diagnosis over the next few day. I do have CPO and it sounds like it will be covered by the Star warranty (In Canada). Thanks you all for the posts as after reading all these posts here, I decided to take the car in right away. Probably saved me from serious engine damage!
Last edited by Mark77; Feb 17, 2014 at 09:03 PM.
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 302
Likes: 11
From: CA
E63 M157
I know this is a C63 thread, but I thought it would be best I post my SL63 issue here. It looks like I am another head bolt statistic. I own a 2009 SL63 (Build date is actually 2008). It only has 54K KM, about 33K miles. A week back I had a "low coolant" light come on. My coolant was a quart low and I topped it up. There was no fluids on the floor so I assumed I had an internal leak. Few days later, I checked the coolant and it was low again about a half a quart. There were no other symptoms with my car. It ran smooth and without issue.
I took my car to a dealership today and they did a pressurized test on the coolant system. There appears to be an internal leak as pressure was not being built up. They suspect its the head gasket at this point. I await further diagnosis over the next few day. I do have CPO and it sounds like it will be covered by the Star warranty (In Canada). Thanks you all for the posts as after reading all these posts here, I decided to take the car in right away. Probably saved me from serious engine damage!
I took my car to a dealership today and they did a pressurized test on the coolant system. There appears to be an internal leak as pressure was not being built up. They suspect its the head gasket at this point. I await further diagnosis over the next few day. I do have CPO and it sounds like it will be covered by the Star warranty (In Canada). Thanks you all for the posts as after reading all these posts here, I decided to take the car in right away. Probably saved me from serious engine damage!
Good to hear that you are covered, be sure to check back in with us after its been taken care of.
I spoke to my service advisor at the dealership & they are aware of the problem. They already done a ML63 & a E63 under warranty, surprisingly no C63's yet. I'm just hoping I won't run into any issues since my warranty just expired 2 months ago.
Newbie
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 7
Likes: 1
C63 AMG PP;CLK W208 200K
Ok, now I'm ready to change the head bolts.
Where did you start to change them? From the middle to the outsight or the other way round?
Is there anything else to take care for? Or only pull one by one and replace it with the new one with torsional moment and rotation angle.
Thanks guys
Where did you start to change them? From the middle to the outsight or the other way round?
Is there anything else to take care for? Or only pull one by one and replace it with the new one with torsional moment and rotation angle.
Thanks guys
Newbie
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 11
Likes: 1
2009 SL63
Ok an update with my SL63 after a week in the shop. One of the head gaskets were leaking coolant into the engine. The service department never stated whether it was a result of the bolts or not. But as per the previous service bulletin mentioned in this thread (which was forwarded to the shop foreman by me), they changed both head gaskets, all the head bolts to the new design bolts, all the tappets, and did two oil changes. The cylinders and plugs were ok so nothing else needed changing, just some cleaning. I think I was fortunate enough to catch it early. I WOULD HIGHLY SUGGEST GETTING YOUR CAR CHECKED RIGHT AWAY IF YOU HAVE COOLANT LOSS AND NO EXTERNAL LEAKS. They also found a leak in my radiator and changed that too. Thankfully it was all covered under the Star cpo warranty. Just paid a small $50 deductible. I would guess all the work they did would have probably cost around $10K if not covered. Glad to have my car back!
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 344
Likes: 5
From: Battle Ground WA
C63AMG, NIssan NX2000, Pontiac Fiero GT
Add me to the lucky list. My 2009 C63 experienced a headbolt failure just two month after the warranty had expired resulting in coolant leaking inside the engine. The dealership estimated the repair at $7K and offered to cover 50% based on my relationship and service history with them. I contacted MBUSA seeking additional assistance, but they told me to go and screw myself since the vehicle is out of warranty and they under no obligation to assist with the repair. They case manager assured me that if MBUSA knew there was a manufacturing defect in these engines, they would have surely done a recall as they care very much about safety and satisfaction of Mercedes customers.
Member
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 243
Likes: 0
2009 C63 AMG
How about all of us file a compliant with NHTSA? If you use the search, you can see that they do investigate if they receive multiple complaints on the same issue.
http://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/owners/SearchSafetyIssues
The only investigation that comes up in the search is for taillight harness melting and shorting the electrical system. I actually had this problem, but it didn't bother me much as it was pretty minor. I guess I will go ahead and file a complaint for the headbolt failure and the taillight issue. The headbolt failure is definitely a safety issue. What if a bolt fails and the engine hydrolocks while driving on a highway?
Can we make this a separate post and a sticky or maybe OP can just put on top of the first post?
http://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/owners/SearchSafetyIssues
The only investigation that comes up in the search is for taillight harness melting and shorting the electrical system. I actually had this problem, but it didn't bother me much as it was pretty minor. I guess I will go ahead and file a complaint for the headbolt failure and the taillight issue. The headbolt failure is definitely a safety issue. What if a bolt fails and the engine hydrolocks while driving on a highway?
Can we make this a separate post and a sticky or maybe OP can just put on top of the first post?
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 5,351
Likes: 1,677
From: Kitchener, ON
2010 C63 AMG
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 344
Likes: 5
From: Battle Ground WA
C63AMG, NIssan NX2000, Pontiac Fiero GT
Charging hard at MB/AMG over the headbolts is futile, though tempting. Sure , everything will fail eventually. The part that grates is that a headbolt is not a consumable like a windshield wiper or brake rotor. More is expected from a company which "seemed" to have a reputation for quality, but acts like Chevrolet or Ford. Stonewalling and deflecting this issue is very short sighted IMO.
