M156 head bolt problems
Newbie
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 10
Likes: 0
2009 C63 AMG
So about 3 weeks ago I picked up a preowned 2009 C63 with 38k miles. After it's first week I had a low coolant warning, topped it off with distilled water as my local MB parts dealer was closed on the weekend. 2 weeks later light came back on, this time topped it off with official MB coolant. Few hours later light came back on, frustrated I accidentally opened the reservoir cap while still hot (some coolant gushed out). Waited the next morning to top it off.
By this time I started to do some research and I stumbled on this issue. Out of curiosity no coolant light on but went to check the reservoir level. It was showing the white portion of the indicator, after topping off the day before. Checked the engine oil and it's not over filled. Oil didn't seem creamy either like it was contaminated with coolant. Also no white smoke. I'm still paranoid.
By this time I started to do some research and I stumbled on this issue. Out of curiosity no coolant light on but went to check the reservoir level. It was showing the white portion of the indicator, after topping off the day before. Checked the engine oil and it's not over filled. Oil didn't seem creamy either like it was contaminated with coolant. Also no white smoke. I'm still paranoid.
Junior Member
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 21
Likes: 0
From: Michigan, Boston ,Kinshasa , Belgium ,
S500, S320, ML320 (Gone), Lexus LX570 2010', Lexus, LX570 2014, LandCruiser VX.R.I (LE) ,Audi S4
So about 3 weeks ago I picked up a preowned 2009 C63 with 38k miles. After it's first week I had a low coolant warning, topped it off with distilled water as my local MB parts dealer was closed on the weekend. 2 weeks later light came back on, this time topped it off with official MB coolant. Few hours later light came back on, frustrated I accidentally opened the reservoir cap while still hot (some coolant gushed out). Waited the next morning to top it off.
By this time I started to do some research and I stumbled on this issue. Out of curiosity no coolant light on but went to check the reservoir level. It was showing the white portion of the indicator, after topping off the day before. Checked the engine oil and it's not over filled. Oil didn't seem creamy either like it was contaminated with coolant. Also no white smoke. I'm still paranoid.
By this time I started to do some research and I stumbled on this issue. Out of curiosity no coolant light on but went to check the reservoir level. It was showing the white portion of the indicator, after topping off the day before. Checked the engine oil and it's not over filled. Oil didn't seem creamy either like it was contaminated with coolant. Also no white smoke. I'm still paranoid.
Newbie
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 10
Likes: 0
2009 C63 AMG
Made an appointment at the MB dealership on Monday to confirm the issue. I bought the car less than a month ago from a Volvo dealership, and driven less than 300 miles since. Do you think they are obligated to take some liability on the repairs or am I SOL? Cause this is total BS
Last edited by so_juanderful; Jul 4, 2015 at 05:59 AM.
Junior Member
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 21
Likes: 0
From: Michigan, Boston ,Kinshasa , Belgium ,
S500, S320, ML320 (Gone), Lexus LX570 2010', Lexus, LX570 2014, LandCruiser VX.R.I (LE) ,Audi S4
Made an appointment at the MB dealership on Monday to confirm the issue. I bought the car less than a month ago from a Volvo dealership, and driven less than 300 miles since. Do you think they are obligated to take some liability on the repairs or am I SOL? Cause this is total BS
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 302
Likes: 11
From: CA
E63 M157
Made an appointment at the MB dealership on Monday to confirm the issue. I bought the car less than a month ago from a Volvo dealership, and driven less than 300 miles since. Do you think they are obligated to take some liability on the repairs or am I SOL? Cause this is total BS
Member
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 173
Likes: 10
1993 Competition Yellow Mica Mazda RX-7 and 2009 C63
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Newbie
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 10
Likes: 0
2009 C63 AMG
Cancelled the appointment with MB, and brought it to a trusted independent shop instead. Wanted to keep it under the radar so they won't bring up some "pre existing" BS. Anyways upon inspection compression was good on all cylinders, but there was burnt coolant residue found on the sparkplugs.
Newbie
Joined: Apr 2015
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
2014 Ford F-150 Raptor SVT
So after reading a good amount of this thread, is it safe to say don't touch a C63 inside the effected range that doesn't have an extended warranty where the head bolt issue hasn't already been addressed? I was in the market to pick up a used C63 for the lady and something I can play around with, but after talking to a local reputable shop in Dallas (911 Enterprises), they don't think theres a concrete way they can tell if the engine will have this issue. Most of the one's I'm finding are 2009-2011, btw.
Newbie
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 3
Likes: 1
2010 C63 4D
2010 C63 with 60k
I'm new to the forum, not new to Mercedes ownership as I have owned a few. I am just coming up to speed on the head bolt issue and I'm wondering about a few things. I've been reading 30+ pages of this thread but I'm not really seeing any solid numbers on how many vehicles have encountered this issue and the model year and mileage numbers for those affected vehicles. I don't even know annual production numbers for the C63.
I purchased the C63 off lease in CA from an independent dealer. I am in the process of contacting the MB dealer in Arizona to see if I can get a detailed maintenance history. I'm hoping maybe the bolts were changed since it was a lease vehicle for several years.
Questions: what is the community opinion on how many vehicles have been affected per total production (percentage, etc), is there a certain point (mileage, etc) after which you are probably safe, and it seems that the bolts can just be replaced prior to any problems occurring, is that true?
Thanks
I purchased the C63 off lease in CA from an independent dealer. I am in the process of contacting the MB dealer in Arizona to see if I can get a detailed maintenance history. I'm hoping maybe the bolts were changed since it was a lease vehicle for several years.
Questions: what is the community opinion on how many vehicles have been affected per total production (percentage, etc), is there a certain point (mileage, etc) after which you are probably safe, and it seems that the bolts can just be replaced prior to any problems occurring, is that true?
Thanks
Member
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 225
Likes: 19
From: Boston, MA
2017 911, 2012 C63
I'm new to the forum, not new to Mercedes ownership as I have owned a few. I am just coming up to speed on the head bolt issue and I'm wondering about a few things. I've been reading 30+ pages of this thread but I'm not really seeing any solid numbers on how many vehicles have encountered this issue and the model year and mileage numbers for those affected vehicles. I don't even know annual production numbers for the C63.
I purchased the C63 off lease in CA from an independent dealer. I am in the process of contacting the MB dealer in Arizona to see if I can get a detailed maintenance history. I'm hoping maybe the bolts were changed since it was a lease vehicle for several years.
Questions: what is the community opinion on how many vehicles have been affected per total production (percentage, etc), is there a certain point (mileage, etc) after which you are probably safe, and it seems that the bolts can just be replaced prior to any problems occurring, is that true?
Thanks
I purchased the C63 off lease in CA from an independent dealer. I am in the process of contacting the MB dealer in Arizona to see if I can get a detailed maintenance history. I'm hoping maybe the bolts were changed since it was a lease vehicle for several years.
Questions: what is the community opinion on how many vehicles have been affected per total production (percentage, etc), is there a certain point (mileage, etc) after which you are probably safe, and it seems that the bolts can just be replaced prior to any problems occurring, is that true?
Thanks
A while back someone was saying that had some inside info on the prevalence of this issue (from AMG as I recall), but that they didn't think they wanted to share it. Other than that almost hearsay, we have no idea just how big of a deal it is.
Stock bolts, driving my '09 with 71K miles on it just like AMG intended. Smiling every single day ear to ear.
Junior Member
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 26
Likes: 0
From: Radnor, PA
CLS63 AMG & C63 Cab
Does anyone know if these head bolts are considered an "internal fastener"? I have Fidelity's
"powertrain" coverage only, and they said if its an "external" fastener then it won't be covered. Thanks!
"powertrain" coverage only, and they said if its an "external" fastener then it won't be covered. Thanks!
Member
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 230
Likes: 2
From: southern NJ
C63
i would be in shock if they considered a fastener that is inside the engine, covered in internal engine fluids, to be external! but stranger things have happened.
Super Member
Joined: Apr 2015
Posts: 762
Likes: 21
From: ATL
2006 C55
Newbie
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 10
Likes: 0
2009 C63 AMG
In desperate need of some advice, this has been stressing me out.
So my 09 C63 has been at MB for 2 weeks now. It's currently at a stand still. They confirmed that coolant is entering cylinder 1, and need to perform an engine tear down to inspect further more. The issue is if they do tear the engine down, and they find signs of overheating my extended warranty will no longer cover the service. I picked up the car little over a month ago from Volvo, and I tried voicing my concern to them. All they did was trying to screw me around with a trade in.
So my question is just authorize the tear down and be confident that it's just the common head bolts issue or take legal actions against Volvo for ripping me off?
So my 09 C63 has been at MB for 2 weeks now. It's currently at a stand still. They confirmed that coolant is entering cylinder 1, and need to perform an engine tear down to inspect further more. The issue is if they do tear the engine down, and they find signs of overheating my extended warranty will no longer cover the service. I picked up the car little over a month ago from Volvo, and I tried voicing my concern to them. All they did was trying to screw me around with a trade in.
So my question is just authorize the tear down and be confident that it's just the common head bolts issue or take legal actions against Volvo for ripping me off?
Last edited by so_juanderful; Aug 17, 2015 at 10:25 AM.
Member
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 209
Likes: 0
From: Virginia
2016 C63s AMG
Wow I really hope you're able to get this worked out. I just picked up an '11 a month ago and was trying to figure out the same questions. Just went with an '11 to avoid it.
I'm sure it would be a lot to do the tear down, but that's a pretty expensive engine to replace and may be worth the safe side to catch it before it's too late.
I'm sure it would be a lot to do the tear down, but that's a pretty expensive engine to replace and may be worth the safe side to catch it before it's too late.
In desperate need of some advice, this has been stressing me out.
So my 09 C63 has been at MB for 2 weeks now. It's currently at a stand still. They confirmed that coolant is entering cylinder 1, and need to perform an engine tear down to inspect further more. The issue is if they do tear the engine down, and they find signs of overheating my extended warranty will no longer cover the service. I picked up the car little over a month ago from Volvo, and I tried voicing my concern to them. All they did was trying to screw me around with a trade in.
So my question is just authorize the tear down and be confident that it's just the common head bolts issue or take legal actions against Volvo for ripping me off?
So my 09 C63 has been at MB for 2 weeks now. It's currently at a stand still. They confirmed that coolant is entering cylinder 1, and need to perform an engine tear down to inspect further more. The issue is if they do tear the engine down, and they find signs of overheating my extended warranty will no longer cover the service. I picked up the car little over a month ago from Volvo, and I tried voicing my concern to them. All they did was trying to screw me around with a trade in.
So my question is just authorize the tear down and be confident that it's just the common head bolts issue or take legal actions against Volvo for ripping me off?
Newbie
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
From: Calgary, Canada
2012 C63 AMG
I've read a couple of these threads and looked up my engine code number (156 985 60 070 613) and I see that I am far out of the head bolt issue range. I just had a low coolant warning pop up and I'm just curious if any post facelift cars have experienced any issues with the head studs. I added some distilled water and I will watch the level but what a scary afternoon reading these threads.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 5,649
Likes: 484
2012 C63;1971 280SE 3.5(Sold);2023 EQS 450 SUV 4 Matic (Wife's)
I've read a couple of these threads and looked up my engine code number (156 985 60 070 613) and I see that I am far out of the head bolt issue range. I just had a low coolant warning pop up and I'm just curious if any post facelift cars have experienced any issues with the head studs. I added some distilled water and I will watch the level but what a scary afternoon reading these threads.
I have not heard of any FL (LCI) cars with head bolt issues. It is not unusual to have the coolant go down a little over time. It happened to our R Class diesel quite a few times and to my 2010 C63 a couple of times with no other issues.
I always recommend adding a 50/50 mix of distilled water and MB coolant in the same colour that is in your cooling system. This will maintain the properties of the OEM coolant in your engine which is 240,000 km or 15 years. If you add straight water (distilled or not) or other brands of coolant this coolant change interval is no longer valid and the coolant should be changed much sooner.
