M156 head bolt problems
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A V8
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From: Houston, TX
2014 E63 AMGs, 2015 F-150 Lariat, 2010 Porsche C4S
Not affected.
Regards,
Joe
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4 door
In the market for one... I don't mind higher mileage if it's been properly maintained and I just want this engine, although the life cycle updates would be nice...
The difference in a pre face lift and post is about $20k as I see it. I can afford the difference but rather save it. But this depends on my question.
how did Mercedes handle pre face lift models? Would any head bolts have been replaced proactively? Would checking the vin show this? Other option could be to replace the bolts after purchase but eh.
Thanks in advance for the suggestions.
The difference in a pre face lift and post is about $20k as I see it. I can afford the difference but rather save it. But this depends on my question.
how did Mercedes handle pre face lift models? Would any head bolts have been replaced proactively? Would checking the vin show this? Other option could be to replace the bolts after purchase but eh.
Thanks in advance for the suggestions.
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2013
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2012 C63 P31 sedan
for 2010/2011 C63
Last six of VIN under 528000 = old headbolts for sure from the factory
The switchover occurred right around car 534000, but I'm gonna call 528-550 a grey area and double check just to be sure.
Over 550000 is new headbolts for sure
Mercedes does not do any replacements until there is a problem.
Last six of VIN under 528000 = old headbolts for sure from the factory
The switchover occurred right around car 534000, but I'm gonna call 528-550 a grey area and double check just to be sure.
Over 550000 is new headbolts for sure
Mercedes does not do any replacements until there is a problem.
Newbie
Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 14
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4 door
for 2010/2011 C63
Last six of VIN under 528000 = old headbolts for sure from the factory
The switchover occurred right around car 534000, but I'm gonna call 528-550 a grey area and double check just to be sure.
Over 550000 is new headbolts for sure
Mercedes does not do any replacements until there is a problem.
Last six of VIN under 528000 = old headbolts for sure from the factory
The switchover occurred right around car 534000, but I'm gonna call 528-550 a grey area and double check just to be sure.
Over 550000 is new headbolts for sure
Mercedes does not do any replacements until there is a problem.
Kinda frustrated cus I came from researching and wanting an e92 m3 but the rod bearings scared me off. Glad though because I know the c63 is a better fit but the older model for way less money is so much more tempting but I can't figure out the headbolt risk or solution.
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From: Houston, TX
2014 E63 AMGs, 2015 F-150 Lariat, 2010 Porsche C4S
Damn. Well, let's say if the only difference between a 2009 and 2012 was headbolts and $20k (and lets say 30k miles but both well maintained) what is the better choice?
Kinda frustrated cus I came from researching and wanting an e92 m3 but the rod bearings scared me off. Glad though because I know the c63 is a better fit but the older model for way less money is so much more tempting but I can't figure out the headbolt risk or solution.
Kinda frustrated cus I came from researching and wanting an e92 m3 but the rod bearings scared me off. Glad though because I know the c63 is a better fit but the older model for way less money is so much more tempting but I can't figure out the headbolt risk or solution.
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4 door
So if I just monitor coolant levels and replace the bolts as soon as I see it dropping I should be good? Or could the engine already hydrolock beyond repair? Just wondering if it's the same as the e9x rod bearings that give little signal they are about to break and when they do break it's game over.
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A V8
Damn. Well, let's say if the only difference between a 2009 and 2012 was headbolts and $20k (and lets say 30k miles but both well maintained) what is the better choice?
Kinda frustrated cus I came from researching and wanting an e92 m3 but the rod bearings scared me off. Glad though because I know the c63 is a better fit but the older model for way less money is so much more tempting but I can't figure out the headbolt risk or solution.
Kinda frustrated cus I came from researching and wanting an e92 m3 but the rod bearings scared me off. Glad though because I know the c63 is a better fit but the older model for way less money is so much more tempting but I can't figure out the headbolt risk or solution.
Both occurrences are rare. I did consider the M3, and i browse the M forum ALOT. I did the same here, between headbolts on the 63 and rod bearings on the M3 i'd say i saw the same amount of issues on each platform.
That being said, before i bought my 13, i had valvestud run about 5-6 random 2010-2011 63 vins for me, none were affected. So again, these failures are rare imo. If you plan on keeping the 63 for over 3 years, i say get the updated 12+ for the long haul. if not, get an 11 and after the short period of time, (again, betting bolts done fail) dump the car. best of luck
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SL63 AMG
Hi everyone, I'm a newbie here and just recently bought a 09 sl63 about a 4 weeks ago and since it's an 09 so I'm pretty sure I have the faulty head bolts. Wish I knew about the head bolt issue before I got the car, I might not have got it if I did. I always wanted a SL63 and when I saw this one I just had to get it. It is in flawless condition. It only have 7300 miles on it and have 6 month extended warranty left. I went to the MB dealership last week to transfer the warranty to my name. I asked the dealership(Beshoff Mercedes) if I could buy 3 more years of extended warranty but they said they don't offer any for the AMG engines which I find kind of strange. I'm worry about the head bolt issue and not sure what to do now. The car drives fine(I think), but when I start up the car I can see some white smoke for about 1-2 seconds upon start up but that may be normal since I only drive it once or twice a week. My question is since I have 6 month of warranty left is there a way to get a MB dealership to change the head bolts for preventive wear for free? I have an appointment next week for an oil change and brake fluid flush so I will ask them if they even know about the head bolt issue.
Last edited by anjing408; Feb 6, 2015 at 04:09 AM.
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C63 AMG
Hi everyone, I'm a newbie here and just recently bought a 09 sl63 about a 4 weeks ago and since it's an 09 so I'm pretty sure I have the faulty head bolts. Wish I knew about the head bolt issue before I got the car, I might not have got it if I did. I always wanted a SL63 and when I saw this one I just had to get it. It is in flawless condition. It only have 7300 miles on it and have 6 month extended warranty left. I went to the MB dealership last week to transfer the warranty to my name. I asked the dealership(Beshoff Mercedes) if I could buy 3 more years of extended warranty but they said they don't offer any for the AMG engines which I find kind of strange. I'm worry about the head bolt issue and not sure what to do now. The car drives fine(I think), but when I start up the car I can see some white smoke for about 1-2 seconds upon start up but that may be normal since I only drive it once or twice a week. My question is since I have 6 month of warranty left is there a way to get a MB dealership to change the head bolts for preventive wear for free? I have an appointment next week for an oil change and brake fluid flush so I will ask them if they even know about the head bolt issue.
edit: Disregard the new thread advice, instead look here:
https://mbworld.org/forums/c63-amg-w...t-cpo-c63.html
Last edited by bhamg; Feb 6, 2015 at 06:16 AM.
Newbie
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SL63 AMG
Unfortunately there is no chance you will get a preventative head bolt replacement at no charge. But, post your insurance question in a new thread the main C63 forum below. Enjoy the car, don't obsess about head bolts (yet).
edit: Disregard the new thread advice, instead look here:
https://mbworld.org/forums/c63-amg-w...t-cpo-c63.html
edit: Disregard the new thread advice, instead look here:
https://mbworld.org/forums/c63-amg-w...t-cpo-c63.html
thanks for the link to the warranty. I'll ask if I can get any discount if I get the head bolt job done at the MB dealership since the original owner bought the car there.
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C63 AMG
Do that. FWIW I've noticed that many dealers seem to have settled on a "discounted" cost of a little north of $4k. That suggests to me that the factory might have weighed in on establishing somewhat uniform pricing which would be a smart thing IMO to make it more palatable to undertake a large pre-emptive expenditure that will likely be amortized over a longer period of ownership. Good for brand loyalty. In my case I have also obtained a commitment from my dealer should I move forward on this to warranty the repair even with headers and a tune, and I'll get that in writing first. Make sure the quoted price includes the valvetrain components. In your case, considering your circumstances, you have nothing to lose if you ask for a further contribution from the factory of 50% of the parts cost. Your dealer will be very helpful to your cause (they'll need to be highly involved) so present a good case. The likelihood of approval might be slim and you'll need to have the personality type to get after it but that's what I would do in your shoes. GL!
Newbie
Joined: Jan 2015
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SL63 AMG
Do that. FWIW I've noticed that many dealers seem to have settled on a "discounted" cost of a little north of $4k. That suggests to me that the factory might have weighed in on establishing somewhat uniform pricing which would be a smart thing IMO to make it more palatable to undertake a large pre-emptive expenditure that will likely be amortized over a longer period of ownership. Good for brand loyalty. In my case I have also obtained a commitment from my dealer should I move forward on this to warranty the repair even with headers and a tune, and I'll get that in writing first. Make sure the quoted price includes the valvetrain components. In your case, considering your circumstances, you have nothing to lose if you ask for a further contribution from the factory of 50% of the parts cost. Your dealer will be very helpful to your cause (they'll need to be highly involved) so present a good case. The likelihood of approval might be slim and you'll need to have the personality type to get after it but that's what I would do in your shoes. GL!
Thanks, I will also print out a copy of the class action lawsuit on these motors just in case they do know not what I'm talking about. My appointment is next Tuesday, I will update with any info.
Last edited by anjing408; Feb 20, 2015 at 02:29 AM.
Newbie
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SL63 AMG
Just got back from the dealership. I ask them about the issue and the SA said that he never even heard of this issue and since he has been working there that there hasn't been any cars that had any head bolt work done. He even call the tech over and even he said he has not done any head bolt work either. I showed them the class action lawsuit I printed out and the SA gave me a weird look and didn't say much about it. I then ask how much would it cost to replace the head bolts and he didn't even have a clue. He said from the parts I described, it would be about 20 hr. worth of labor and would be roughly $3500-$4k range. I wasn't able to get an exact amount since he didn't know what parts are involved.
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2015
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From: Eurocharged Orlando
10 C63, 06 S65, 14 ML350, 95 S500
Having a build date of 09/09 and the last 6 digits is in the 400,000s, looks like my car falls into this range. How worried should I be, with my car being at 10k miles and I drive a little under 2k miles per year. Car is under warranty until nov 2017. Reading posts, I see warranty and SA don't cover this stuff? Any idea if there is a class action suit in place?
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From: Houston, TX
2014 E63 AMGs, 2015 F-150 Lariat, 2010 Porsche C4S
Having a build date of 09/09 and the last 6 digits is in the 400,000s, looks like my car falls into this range. How worried should I be, with my car being at 10k miles and I drive a little under 2k miles per year. Car is under warranty until nov 2017. Reading posts, I see warranty and SA don't cover this stuff? Any idea if there is a class action suit in place?
Your car is affected. Not sure what you mean about not being covered under warranty. Which warranty do you have and do you know the headbolts are excluded? MBUSA warranty will cover for sure. There is no, nor will there likely ever be a suit brought that would be successful. I suppose there could ultimately be some sort of suit brought if hundreds or thousands start failing.
Regards,
Joe
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 425
Likes: 9
From: Eurocharged Orlando
10 C63, 06 S65, 14 ML350, 95 S500
Your car is affected. Not sure what you mean about not being covered under warranty. Which warranty do you have and do you know the headbolts are excluded? MBUSA warranty will cover for sure. There is no, nor will there likely ever be a suit brought that would be successful. I suppose there could ultimately be some sort of suit brought if hundreds or thousands start failing.
Regards,
Joe
Regards,
Joe
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 2,824
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From: Houston, TX
2014 E63 AMGs, 2015 F-150 Lariat, 2010 Porsche C4S
I just assumed going through the pages seeing the warranty wouldn't cover. Its the warranty I bought with the car when it was new, the factory warranty plus 4 years. To clarify, I don't think the warranty would cover changing them out as a precaution even though they haven't failed..
It hey fail and you have an MB waranty you're covered. MB will not practively change them.
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2012 E63 Estate (P30)
Looking at a 2011 E63. Hoping for a clean bill of health for the headbolts. 
WDDHF7HB9BA308836
Thanks!
WDDHF7HB9BA308836
Thanks!
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 2,824
Likes: 399
From: Houston, TX
2014 E63 AMGs, 2015 F-150 Lariat, 2010 Porsche C4S
Looking at a 2011 E63. Hoping for a clean bill of health for the headbolts.
WDDHF7HB9BA308836
Thanks!
WDDHF7HB9BA308836
Thanks!
Already answered your PM.
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C63 AMG
Hey all - Please DO NOT post VIN's here asking about headbolts. The 'stud already has another thread going that addresses these requests. Let's keep this sticky on topic with substantive info on the headbolt issue, thanks!
