M156 head bolt problems
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From: Houston, TX
2014 E63 AMGs, 2015 F-150 Lariat, 2010 Porsche C4S
Regards
Member
Joined: Nov 2014
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1993 Competition Yellow Mica Mazda RX-7 and 2009 C63
I have some info (solid numbers) that sheds new light on the possible number of M156 headbolt failures, this given to me by an M-B employee. I don't have and haven't asked yet for permission to post it here but it'll allow us to make a more accurate estimate of the number of failures to date. I actually might not ask to make that public until I get the job done myself on a pre-emptive basis...perhaps late this year. Regardless, it's interesting to know...
Newbie
Joined: Mar 2015
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Ml63
Hi! Without going back too far in this string, I am curious if this is an issue that can be brought up to MB? The reason I am asking is because my ML63 (2009 // 85K miles) started losing about 2 quarts over three days. All testing by MB (CO2 testing, pressure) brought nothing to light, but obviously the water was going somewhere. No overheating and no power loss. Finally yesterday they put it under pressure over night and took out the spark plugs (not too techie here) and have found water in oil. Today they told me that they think that they found it - a head bolt. Not much more info at the moment. But it was interesting that a AMG mechanic in Germany told me that there had been issues with the head bolts. Unfortunately I am being told a min of $8K, if I am lucky. not very happy with this piece of news. Especially since nobody wants to assist financially. Thanks for any useful information...
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 446
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2012 C63 P31 sedan
If you are still under warranty it will be covered. If you are not, then you can ask for a "good faith" cover or try to strike some sort of deal with your dealership, like discounted labor.
Otherwise, you will be on the hook for the repair. One of the downsides to owning a car out of warranty (if applicable to you).
Otherwise, you will be on the hook for the repair. One of the downsides to owning a car out of warranty (if applicable to you).
Newbie
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
Ml63
Head Bolts
Thanks for the input. Stopped by the dealer yesterday and they confirmed 2 bolts had not been tight. I have given up speaking to any customer service reps, both in Italy and US. Both keep on pushing it onto the dealership. At this point I am at their mercy for some sort of a discount. A bit frustrating that the company does not show goodwill, as this seems to be a pretty well documented issue. But I guess I need to suck it up and be happy it did not screw up the motor or anything else... Again thanks for the support!
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 289
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C63, C280, 2500HD, IS300
3 weeks ago the Coolant light came on, and it did not needed to be top off.
Came on again the second day, same thing. 1 week ago it came one again and I took it into the dealer and they said it was a little low.
Back in 2013 the headbolts and headgasket where replaced.
Question is it stretching again? Dealer informed to come back when light goes on or after 6 months. My extended warranty will expire early next year and would be screwed if the bolts fail after it expires.
Advice comments please
Came on again the second day, same thing. 1 week ago it came one again and I took it into the dealer and they said it was a little low.
Back in 2013 the headbolts and headgasket where replaced.
Question is it stretching again? Dealer informed to come back when light goes on or after 6 months. My extended warranty will expire early next year and would be screwed if the bolts fail after it expires.
Advice comments please
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Junior Member
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 31
Likes: 1
W202 (1999 C240) and W204 (2008 C63)
3 weeks ago the Coolant light came on, and it did not needed to be top off.
Came on again the second day, same thing. 1 week ago it came one again and I took it into the dealer and they said it was a little low.
Back in 2013 the headbolts and headgasket where replaced.
Question is it stretching again? Dealer informed to come back when light goes on or after 6 months. My extended warranty will expire early next year and would be screwed if the bolts fail after it expires.
Advice comments please
Came on again the second day, same thing. 1 week ago it came one again and I took it into the dealer and they said it was a little low.
Back in 2013 the headbolts and headgasket where replaced.
Question is it stretching again? Dealer informed to come back when light goes on or after 6 months. My extended warranty will expire early next year and would be screwed if the bolts fail after it expires.
Advice comments please
What problems did you have to prompt the work in 2013, was it a major failure or a slow leakage that you flagged, and what parts were replaced back then?
I have heard of the sensor being overly sensitive to the level so slightest drop can trigger warning. I had the same at Christmas when the car was parked on an incline and was very cold - I searched this and it is common. This was the first time I've topped up coolant in nearly 5 years of ownership, so need to watch carefully, and I have original head bolts.
Hope your problem is not really a problem!
Newbie
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 5
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Ml63
Just wanted to update on this issue. In the end, nobody did step up to assist, I did receive a 10% on the parts (total price for parts came to a cool 4,300 euros). The end price came out to be around $6,500. Now for something interesting: All was fixed and car runs well, no issues, expect..... over the course of the last 8 days the engine had made a very disturbing rattling noise when I turn it on. The noise (clack clack clack type) subsides after 3-4 seconds. Cannot say it happens only when the engine is cold or hot, as it has happens with both. garage tells me that the valve shafts will need about 600 miles until they are seated and that this is nothing to worry about. Well I am worried...Strange thing is that I cannot reproduce the noise by turning the car on / off. it just seems to happen arbitrarily. Any thoughts?
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jan 2009
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C63 AMG
Just wanted to update on this issue. In the end, nobody did step up to assist, I did receive a 10% on the parts (total price for parts came to a cool 4,300 euros). The end price came out to be around $6,500. Now for something interesting: All was fixed and car runs well, no issues, expect..... over the course of the last 8 days the engine had made a very disturbing rattling noise when I turn it on. The noise (clack clack clack type) subsides after 3-4 seconds. Cannot say it happens only when the engine is cold or hot, as it has happens with both. garage tells me that the valve shafts will need about 600 miles until they are seated and that this is nothing to worry about. Well I am worried...Strange thing is that I cannot reproduce the noise by turning the car on / off. it just seems to happen arbitrarily. Any thoughts?
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2011
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From: San Diego/San Francisco
AMG GLC63. Audi R8
Clacking on start up, hot or cold, is cam shaft adjusters, they will need to be replaced. Whoever said the cam shafts need to seat is an idiot. The cam shaft caps are machined to an exact clearance for oil to flow around the bearing and cam shaft. I would really worry about a shop who says crap like that instead of looking at the car.
Junior Member
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 64
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From: Pacific Northwest
2007 Mercedes Benz CLS63 AMG
Just wanted to update on this issue. In the end, nobody did step up to assist, I did receive a 10% on the parts (total price for parts came to a cool 4,300 euros). The end price came out to be around $6,500. Now for something interesting: All was fixed and car runs well, no issues, expect..... over the course of the last 8 days the engine had made a very disturbing rattling noise when I turn it on. The noise (clack clack clack type) subsides after 3-4 seconds. Cannot say it happens only when the engine is cold or hot, as it has happens with both. garage tells me that the valve shafts will need about 600 miles until they are seated and that this is nothing to worry about. Well I am worried...Strange thing is that I cannot reproduce the noise by turning the car on / off. it just seems to happen arbitrarily. Any thoughts?
Even if it isn't these items the shop should be responsible enough to look or listen to it, determine a source and then say you should run it for 500 miles. How they react after that will tell you their level of integrity as well.
Best of luck,
Bud
Newbie
Joined: Mar 2015
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Ml63
Hey thanks for the quick reply. That would make sense, since there really is no pattern as to when it happens. As for the idiots... well, what can I say? Italy.... problem is, they are an official AMG / MB dealership and the work was started there. pretty much screwed now, since there is no alternative in the next 400 miles.... Nevertheless, I will bring this forward and have them change the adjusters. just hoping there is no long term damage, as this has happened four times now.
Again, thanks for your professional input!
Kenny
Again, thanks for your professional input!
Kenny
Newbie
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 5
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Ml63
Hey thanks for the quick reply. That would make sense, since there really is no pattern as to when it happens. As for the idiots... well, what can I say? Italy.... problem is, they are an official AMG / MB dealership and the work was started there. pretty much screwed now, since there is no alternative in the next 400 miles.... Nevertheless, I will bring this forward and have them change the adjusters. just hoping there is no long term damage, as this has happened four times now.
Again, thanks for your professional input!
Kenny
Again, thanks for your professional input!
Kenny
Back from the dealer and they confirmed what you had already stated... They said it was the left "upper" one. The parts have the newer series number, so they did not think that all four / two had to be replaced.. Question: is it a better practice to change at least two on one side, if only one needs replacing, or is it ok to replace only the defective one?
Again, thanks so much and please pardon my ignorance on the technical side...
Junior Member
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 64
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From: Pacific Northwest
2007 Mercedes Benz CLS63 AMG
Latest and Greatest....
Back from the dealer and they confirmed what you had already stated... They said it was the left "upper" one. The parts have the newer series number, so they did not think that all four / two had to be replaced.. Question: is it a better practice to change at least two on one side, if only one needs replacing, or is it ok to replace only the defective one?
Again, thanks so much and please pardon my ignorance on the technical side...
Back from the dealer and they confirmed what you had already stated... They said it was the left "upper" one. The parts have the newer series number, so they did not think that all four / two had to be replaced.. Question: is it a better practice to change at least two on one side, if only one needs replacing, or is it ok to replace only the defective one?
Again, thanks so much and please pardon my ignorance on the technical side...
While I had to foot the whole $8900 bill, I haven't had any issue since the job was done by a local independent who was trained by MB and opened his own shop. would have been $12K - $15K at the dealer. I was lucky that there was no piston/rod damage as those were $500-$700 each as memory serves. Multiply that by 8 and wow.
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 289
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C63, C280, 2500HD, IS300
When I took it in 2013 it was slowing leaking into the engine.
Coolant light came on 3 times so they found out oil had coolant inside.
This time they claim coolant was just low and top off.
So far no light yet.
Coolant light came on 3 times so they found out oil had coolant inside.
This time they claim coolant was just low and top off.
So far no light yet.
Super Member
Joined: Apr 2015
Posts: 762
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From: ATL
2006 C55
Is there a listing of the extended warranty companies that will cover this head bolt problem by chance? I know that I've heard fidelity will but looking at their ratings...I'm not so sure I'd do business with them.
Thanks.
Thanks.
Member
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 221
Likes: 2
From: Memphis
2009 SL63 AMG
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.
What about this E63?
2010 MERCEDES-BENZ E63 AMG
VIN: WDDHF7HB9AA162954
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2012 C63;1971 280SE 3.5(Sold);2023 EQS 450 SUV 4 Matic (Wife's)
MBWorld Fanatic!
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From: Houston, TX
2014 E63 AMGs, 2015 F-150 Lariat, 2010 Porsche C4S
It is not a model specific issue, but an M156 engine issue. All 2010 and older, and some early 2011s are affected. This is for US cars. Some other countries define model years differently. The best way to be sure is to get the engine number which requires the VIN.
Regards,
Joe
Newbie
Joined: Jul 2015
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Amg ml 63
Head bolt issue ml63
Has anyone else had the issue of the head bolt snapping in Australia?
We have a amg ml 63 just over 100,000 kms with the head bolt snapped.
Has anyone had any luck claiming back from Mercedes or getting MBZ to pick up the bill?
We have a amg ml 63 just over 100,000 kms with the head bolt snapped.
Has anyone had any luck claiming back from Mercedes or getting MBZ to pick up the bill?
Super Member
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 637
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From: queensland australia
2009 C 63
hi
what year & engine number is your vehicle
