M156 head bolt problems
#951
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Interesting that it's different in the UK, are you 100% certain about that stat?
#952
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2008 E63, KTM990, 2012 CLS63, 1972 W108 280SE 4.5
There are two separate service bulletins and you car is affected by both. Head bolt failures and excessive cam wear. The head bolts are not properly designed and can corrode and snap at the head. This causes the head gasket to fail letting coolant into your cylinders. If not spotted in time you end up with hydro lock and a blown motor. The other involves the lifters with cause premature cam wear. The lifters should be replaced by ones designed for the SLS63. While the cams are out they should be checked for excessive wear. As long as the cams and lifters are out, you might consider having the head bolts and gaskets replaced.
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
#953
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2012 C63;1971 280SE 3.5(Sold);2023 EQS 450 SUV 4 Matic (Wife's)
In NA model production for 2010 ended in May or perhaps June 2010 and any car produced after that is considered to be a 2011 MY car. That is why all 2010s and some 2011 MY cars have the older head bolts in NA and some 2010 MY cars in the UK have the updated head bolts. I think perhaps it is the same for Australia and perhaps a few other world locations depending on local traditions and laws.
#954
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Built...I'm not sure. Perhaps Valvestud might know. On my vehicle registration document it says something about....(taking a guess at the date here) 27th Sept 2010 but I'm not sure if that was the date the first owner took delivery or if it's the build date.
#955
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There might be a plate on the B-pillar close to the driver's door strike that says the manufacturing month and date.
#956
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The delivery date, which is when it's delivered to Dealer was 8/30/2010.
#957
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Hi folks, trying to get a little clarity here.
Were the head bolt AND the combination of cast nodular iron camshafts and 9310 grade steel valve lifters issue both resolved post engine number #60658?
My engine number is 72157 so does that mean it definitely has the forged camshafts?
Was the lifter metallurgy changed at the same time as well?
S-B 05.20/20b mentions issues with the camshaft adjusters.
Do we know if MB ever made any changes to these or is the issue with them due to the soft cast camshafts rather than the camshaft adjusters them selves?
Anyway to tell if my motor has forged camshafts without pulling the valve covers off?
Were the head bolt AND the combination of cast nodular iron camshafts and 9310 grade steel valve lifters issue both resolved post engine number #60658?
My engine number is 72157 so does that mean it definitely has the forged camshafts?
Was the lifter metallurgy changed at the same time as well?
S-B 05.20/20b mentions issues with the camshaft adjusters.
Do we know if MB ever made any changes to these or is the issue with them due to the soft cast camshafts rather than the camshaft adjusters them selves?
Anyway to tell if my motor has forged camshafts without pulling the valve covers off?
#958
#959
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#960
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The best way to know for sure is to post your VIN and I can tell you. The engine number is what determines the affected status.
Regards,
Joe
#963
Member
It's funny, I bought mine knowing full well that there was a very slight chance of a head bolt issue. I negotiated a good deal based partially on this and then had the heads done (and buckets and some other bits and pieces) and couldn't be happier. I have owned a lot of fun (re: not super "responsible" or economical) cars in my life, but none have made me smile like this ridiculous beast. Literally every time I get out of it I am border line giggling.
To each his or her own. Oh, and I am pretty sure I've ruined my poor kids understanding of what is fast and fun forever. Their bar is now ridiculously high. Big thanks to the fine folks in Affalterbach.
To each his or her own. Oh, and I am pretty sure I've ruined my poor kids understanding of what is fast and fun forever. Their bar is now ridiculously high. Big thanks to the fine folks in Affalterbach.
#964
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im thinking of purchasing a c63
I would like to know if any head bolts go through water jackets in heads, I checked out a pic somewhere in this site which I noticed some corrosion halfway up a headbolt
Really changed my opinion on benzes
I have raced a couple c63`s none of them stand a chance and most don't bother
Really changed my opinion on benzes
I have raced a couple c63`s none of them stand a chance and most don't bother
#967
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2009 C63
It's funny, I bought mine knowing full well that there was a very slight chance of a head bolt issue. I negotiated a good deal based partially on this and then had the heads done (and buckets and some other bits and pieces) and couldn't be happier. I have owned a lot of fun (re: not super "responsible" or economical) cars in my life, but none have made me smile like this ridiculous beast. Literally every time I get out of it I am border line giggling.
To each his or her own. Oh, and I am pretty sure I've ruined my poor kids understanding of what is fast and fun forever. Their bar is now ridiculously high. Big thanks to the fine folks in Affalterbach.
To each his or her own. Oh, and I am pretty sure I've ruined my poor kids understanding of what is fast and fun forever. Their bar is now ridiculously high. Big thanks to the fine folks in Affalterbach.
#968
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2010 Irridium Silver MB C63 AMG Sedan
I would like to know if any head bolts go through water jackets in heads, I checked out a pic somewhere in this site which I noticed some corrosion halfway up a headbolt
Really changed my opinion on benzes
I have raced a couple c63`s none of them stand a chance and most don't bother
Really changed my opinion on benzes
I have raced a couple c63`s none of them stand a chance and most don't bother
#969
MBWorld Fanatic!
Didn't really realize the head bolt issue for years after someone told me that it's hard for him to sell his C63 because of his engine number. After that I checked my number and it is somewhere in the middle of those thousands of engines.
Talked to my dealership about this issue and they told me that most of the broken head bolts cracked around the first 20-30k km. So there is no need to say that every C63 with the "old" head bolts is going get broken.
The only serious issue I had was a defective oil thermostat, I hope you guys never get this problem. Mine didn't open at 100°C as it should and the oil gets hot in minutes.
To change this thing which cost about 30$ it is necessary to remove the engine and open the camshaft chain housing. If you stand in front of the car/engine it's located at the right middle site behind a cap with a seal and a spring.
That really sucks espacially with a complete stock engine minus the bigger oilcooler.
On the web I just find one guy who had to do the same because of a leaking seal.
This shop somewhere in the states did that without removing the engine but I don't thing that is was easier to do it this way because everything in front of the housing is bothering.
Here is the location of that piece of ****:
And even if you think it isn't behind the housing, believe me it is.
Here you have it:
Talked to my dealership about this issue and they told me that most of the broken head bolts cracked around the first 20-30k km. So there is no need to say that every C63 with the "old" head bolts is going get broken.
The only serious issue I had was a defective oil thermostat, I hope you guys never get this problem. Mine didn't open at 100°C as it should and the oil gets hot in minutes.
To change this thing which cost about 30$ it is necessary to remove the engine and open the camshaft chain housing. If you stand in front of the car/engine it's located at the right middle site behind a cap with a seal and a spring.
That really sucks espacially with a complete stock engine minus the bigger oilcooler.
On the web I just find one guy who had to do the same because of a leaking seal.
This shop somewhere in the states did that without removing the engine but I don't thing that is was easier to do it this way because everything in front of the housing is bothering.
Here is the location of that piece of ****:
And even if you think it isn't behind the housing, believe me it is.
Here you have it:
Last edited by Dome///AMG; 10-22-2015 at 09:06 AM.
#970
Super Member
Just to be safe I had a local shop do the head bolts for me, while at it we also installed the SLS BS Buckets as they fully coated and lighter and help friction on the cams. I recommend this to anyone who's worried about it. Seriously guys you spend this much money on a car but you can't go and do a preventive maintenance or repair?
#971
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2009 C63
Just to be safe I had a local shop do the head bolts for me, while at it we also installed the SLS BS Buckets as they fully coated and lighter and help friction on the cams. I recommend this to anyone who's worried about it. Seriously guys you spend this much money on a car but you can't go and do a preventive maintenance or repair?
#972
Member
I paid for 20 hours of labor + parts from a variety of sources much cheaper than the local dealerships. If you go hog wild on the parts, they certainly add up. Still, happy this is one less thing to worry about.
#973
Super Member
$1,600.00 and as for parts , I provided them. Just an added note, my car is a 2010 with only 10K miles on the clock. My point is that it's not worth the risk at any miles.
Last edited by 4ramin; 10-24-2015 at 12:05 AM.