M156 head bolt problems
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 1,601
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From: San Diego/San Francisco
AMG GLC63. Audi R8
Can you point me out to the service bulletins?
My E63 2008 VIN: WDBUF77X48B255616
Can someone help me understand if this is affected?
*Arghhhh I had the lifterts and tappets replaced a coupl of years ago, but I paid in full. Im pretty sure they didn't put the SL's they didint check the bolts.
tahnks
My E63 2008 VIN: WDBUF77X48B255616
Can someone help me understand if this is affected?
*Arghhhh I had the lifterts and tappets replaced a coupl of years ago, but I paid in full. Im pretty sure they didn't put the SL's they didint check the bolts.
tahnks
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 1,601
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From: San Diego/San Francisco
AMG GLC63. Audi R8
Scroll down. Someone got dealer quoted $4,600. It more that just replacing head bolts. Their entire top half of the engine has to come off and the cams removed from the head to access all the head bolts. New lifters are also installed
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
Super Member
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 737
Likes: 60
From: HESPERIA CA
2011 E550
Jeeze, I was seriously considering a 08/09 c63, but after reading this is might have to reconsider. Is it 100 percent certain that I will encounter the headbolt issue if I buy a c63?
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
There is no absolute regarding this issue. It appears to be limited to a small number, but there is no data to support when or how many. So you either buy a late 2011 or newer, or keep and extended warranty, or roll the dice and repair on your own if it occurs.
Newbie
Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
cl63 6.2
Any advice welcome, my cl63 6.2 2007 160k miles owned from new.
Merc has just called to say a left bank head bolt has snapped, i have been in and out of the garage now for 5 months as I knew something was wrong and then the coolant started dropping.
i'm gutted my car has been faultless now for nearly 9 years, so good i have bought and sold various other cars and always kept the CL .
They said they will look for a contribution but i think the day has come to let her go .
Merc has just called to say a left bank head bolt has snapped, i have been in and out of the garage now for 5 months as I knew something was wrong and then the coolant started dropping.
i'm gutted my car has been faultless now for nearly 9 years, so good i have bought and sold various other cars and always kept the CL .
They said they will look for a contribution but i think the day has come to let her go .
Member
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 225
Likes: 19
From: Boston, MA
2017 911, 2012 C63
What's the resale on that with that level of mileage? Is it worth it to fix, cause it's not going to be worth much with a down engine...
All that said, how bad the damage is, might be the key. Is $4K worth it to have this great vehicle back in business? Unless things got really ugly, you could be looking at that level at an indy.
That said, at 160K miles and 9ish years, this old beast might not owe you a thing.
All that said, how bad the damage is, might be the key. Is $4K worth it to have this great vehicle back in business? Unless things got really ugly, you could be looking at that level at an indy.
That said, at 160K miles and 9ish years, this old beast might not owe you a thing.
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Newbie
Joined: Jan 2016
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cl63 6.2
The trade in value has always been very disappointing on the CL, approx £12k with engine running, so maybe half that now.
Merc need to remove the chain today to further inspect, but the head bolt has sheared.
It has become a sentimental thing now, Just hope it is not mega bucks, at this stage in her life it's the knock on effect, and what will go wrong next.
Thanks
Merc need to remove the chain today to further inspect, but the head bolt has sheared.
It has become a sentimental thing now, Just hope it is not mega bucks, at this stage in her life it's the knock on effect, and what will go wrong next.
Thanks
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 1,601
Likes: 10
From: San Diego/San Francisco
AMG GLC63. Audi R8
The trade in value has always been very disappointing on the CL, approx £12k with engine running, so maybe half that now.
Merc need to remove the chain today to further inspect, but the head bolt has sheared.
It has become a sentimental thing now, Just hope it is not mega bucks, at this stage in her life it's the knock on effect, and what will go wrong next.
Thanks
Merc need to remove the chain today to further inspect, but the head bolt has sheared.
It has become a sentimental thing now, Just hope it is not mega bucks, at this stage in her life it's the knock on effect, and what will go wrong next.
Thanks
Newbie
Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
cl63 6.2
Called today to say two bolts and two banks affected.
MB not contributing to the cost. Any advice on debating this with Mb, seems to be a long standing dispute with the head bolts as a defective part that has been replaced under warranty in the past for other customers.
I not happy with this response, the car was bought new and always serviced at MB.
Looking at £4k to repair.
MB not contributing to the cost. Any advice on debating this with Mb, seems to be a long standing dispute with the head bolts as a defective part that has been replaced under warranty in the past for other customers.
I not happy with this response, the car was bought new and always serviced at MB.
Looking at £4k to repair.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 1,752
Likes: 175
From: London, UK
W212 - E63 AMG
Surely that is solid ground to stake a claim for more support from MB. I'd get in touch with their head office personally and go inn on the fact that you're the only owner and it's always been maintained as per their specifications etc
Newbie
Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
cl63 6.2
cl63amg headbolts
They have come back with something about a customer matrix and referred it down to head office uk, so lets see, I've spent 2k replacing pumps and diagnostics at this stage, and it was the heads bolt all along !... thanks
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 4,563
Likes: 42
C63 AMG
Sounds like you have retards working there, find a better shop. Anytime coolant is lost on a m156 headbolts are my top 3.
Junior Member
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 30
Likes: 0
2012 C63 Coupe
My low coolant level light comes on after the car has been parked outside at the office all day. Its gone though by the time I exit the parking lot. Is it affected by low temperatures? Been pretty cold up here.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 5,351
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From: Kitchener, ON
2010 C63 AMG
Could be thermal expansion of the coolant turning the indicator off if it's right at edge of the on point when cold.
Newbie
Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 11
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2009 C63 AMG. 1998 BMW M3
I picked up a 2009 with 49k last month. I contacted a local shop > http://imamotorwerke.com/ that I found off of Weistec's website.
The owner said it would be $1000 for the bolts, and $900 in labor to swap the bolts out.
Doesn't this seem too cheap? Should I ask for a quote to also replace the lifters while they're in there? Anything else I should do.
I don't have any symptoms but reading these forums scares me
The owner said it would be $1000 for the bolts, and $900 in labor to swap the bolts out.
Doesn't this seem too cheap? Should I ask for a quote to also replace the lifters while they're in there? Anything else I should do.
I don't have any symptoms but reading these forums scares me
Newbie
Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
cl63 6.2
Fixed
Just got my car back, the minute i got home the engine light came on, so i went back and they done something with the cams. Sounds better than before !!!
It was £3300inc vat.
No help from Merc uk or Germany after various emails and phone calls, the dealer offered £300 on the labour, so i think I will get an indy to service in the future.
It's a great car, the best i have owed to date, I am hoping to retire her into the garage in the next few months.
I'm going to buy a Jag F type R for the crack and wait for the GT to bottom out.
Thanks for your help guys and best for luck !!!
It was £3300inc vat.
No help from Merc uk or Germany after various emails and phone calls, the dealer offered £300 on the labour, so i think I will get an indy to service in the future.
It's a great car, the best i have owed to date, I am hoping to retire her into the garage in the next few months.
I'm going to buy a Jag F type R for the crack and wait for the GT to bottom out.
Thanks for your help guys and best for luck !!!
Member
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 98
Likes: 2
From: Chicago, IL
2010 C63
I'm in the affected range and out of warranty. Really love this car - just don't want to keep worrying.
Newbie
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 7
Likes: 1
2012 C300, 2009 ML63 AMG, 1986 560SL
Hi all,
I thought i'd share my post-repair experience and a copy of the bill.
Firstly, this entire ordeal was really a pain, but i still love the car.
I went with dealer-repair route with no help other than parts @ wholesale price and discount labor fee of $300.
I guess it was somewhat of a win.
Anyway. Got the repair finished in about a week. I figure they had one guy doing all the work.
Came back running smooth and strong. No hiccups at all.
A week after driving I noticed oil drops in the garage. I didn't have an oil leak before. Took it back to dealer. They first said I need to replace my oil pan because it was cracked and would $900. I said "it was not leaking before, and I haven't done anything abnormal to make it 'crack'. It must have been when they were putting drain plug back in." After my logical argument with tech, they agreed to perform the repair at no charge. Fixed the issue. no more leaks.
Anyway, now I'm about 1000 miles in on the engine and it runs like a champ. Still love the car.I attached the invoice for everyone's benefit. Please don't tell me i should have done X or Y because it's already been done, and I don't need any more anxiety about this thing. The work is warrantied for a year or 12k miles. I'm taking it back and holding them to it if anything goes wrong.
Hope this information helps anyone experiencing the same issue.
I would strongly urge and buyers of the M157 to get the head bolts changed out as a preemptive tactic to avoid this issue! i would imagine this would be $2000 vs a possible minimum $4600 or completely blown engine depending on when you catch the issue!
I thought i'd share my post-repair experience and a copy of the bill.
Firstly, this entire ordeal was really a pain, but i still love the car.
I went with dealer-repair route with no help other than parts @ wholesale price and discount labor fee of $300.
I guess it was somewhat of a win.
Anyway. Got the repair finished in about a week. I figure they had one guy doing all the work.
Came back running smooth and strong. No hiccups at all.
A week after driving I noticed oil drops in the garage. I didn't have an oil leak before. Took it back to dealer. They first said I need to replace my oil pan because it was cracked and would $900. I said "it was not leaking before, and I haven't done anything abnormal to make it 'crack'. It must have been when they were putting drain plug back in." After my logical argument with tech, they agreed to perform the repair at no charge. Fixed the issue. no more leaks.
Anyway, now I'm about 1000 miles in on the engine and it runs like a champ. Still love the car.I attached the invoice for everyone's benefit. Please don't tell me i should have done X or Y because it's already been done, and I don't need any more anxiety about this thing. The work is warrantied for a year or 12k miles. I'm taking it back and holding them to it if anything goes wrong.
Hope this information helps anyone experiencing the same issue.
I would strongly urge and buyers of the M157 to get the head bolts changed out as a preemptive tactic to avoid this issue! i would imagine this would be $2000 vs a possible minimum $4600 or completely blown engine depending on when you catch the issue!
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 446
Likes: 35
2012 C63 P31 sedan
The M157 is the 5.5L twin turbo V8.
I have heard of places changing out the bolts one at a time, which must save some steps somewhere. It would be interesting to see the difference in cost of repair (although if it's $1700 in parts alone it can't be that big).
I do also think is a low percentage issue....we have seen just as many posts from members with 08-10 cars with over 100K miles and original headbolts. Sorry you were one of the unlucky ones.
Member
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 157
Likes: 3
From: Atlanta, GA
2008 C63, 2008 ML550, 2014 KTM 500 XC W, John Deere 990
I picked up a 2009 with 49k last month. I contacted a local shop > http://imamotorwerke.com/ that I found off of Weistec's website.
The owner said it would be $1000 for the bolts, and $900 in labor to swap the bolts out.
Doesn't this seem too cheap? Should I ask for a quote to also replace the lifters while they're in there? Anything else I should do.
I don't have any symptoms but reading these forums scares me
The owner said it would be $1000 for the bolts, and $900 in labor to swap the bolts out.
Doesn't this seem too cheap? Should I ask for a quote to also replace the lifters while they're in there? Anything else I should do.
I don't have any symptoms but reading these forums scares me
I think I'll still give it a go myself though. My 2008 has 51K miles and so far no issues. It's my DD and I don't push it hard. It's hard to find a decent cop free stretch of road around Atlanta.
