4ramin

i have them in a bag , i can take a pic for you later if you like. however they look brand new. here are some pics when we started.

Jasonoff

Yah, if you don't mind. Why did they pull the plugs?

Did you go with OE bolts or ARP?

malahhaor

I've been trying to read allot about this issue as i would like to purchase something with this engine and what i don't understand is weather or not this issue affects some M156 engines before 2011 or all M156 will eventually fail?

Can anyone tell me? thanks

Jasonoff

Early 2011 and older are affected (have the old bolt design). So far it seems like a very small percentage with the old bolt design will fail. Not enough time has passed to be conclusive though.

hyunman

Hello everyone,

I was curious to see how many of you who ARE in the affected VIN/Engine No. range and have 30,000+ miles, are NOT having this dreaded head bolt issue? I'm in the affected range, and I'm close to 33,000 miles, and just learned about this today by chance. I have the Eurocharged V5 tune and drive very spiritedly, and was planning on taking my car to the track in the coming weeks. Now...I'm having second thoughts...

65fastback

2009 c63 here 71K on the clock...original head bolts .

Critter

No issue what so ever, 129,000km plugs were light brown in color not black like yours??
Changed out at 110K
07 E63
As has been discussed over and over, I believe the issue is actually supplier induced as I have stated before that AMG engineers surely did not order all the head bolts for expected production from the same supplier for the 63 engine.

hyunman

Hey thank both of you guys for responding. I know the vast majority of our cars even within the affected range will never see any real issues, but it still puts me at a bit more ease to actually hear from guys like you with higher mileages.

And based on what Critter said, seems like even if our cars are in the affected range, it may actually be just a certain batch of bolts from just one supplier that is showing issues? That seems logical. I'm still reading up on this issue so I'll get caught up soon, but thanks for these positive notes. It'll help counter all the bad news I've been reading about this on the web.

snoball

2010 c63 here 80K on the clock...original head bolts .

RobSmith

Hey ValveStud!


Can you run my VIN?


WDDDJ7HB5BA173237


Door sticker says it was made 7/2010


Fingers crossed!

Thanks much, Rob

Lil754boy

I am considering buying a 63 this week, can you run the VIN for me?


WDBUF77X68B270361


Also, is there anyway to visually inspect to see if the head bolts (external bolts maybe) have been replaced?

Valvestud

OK, perhaps you've not seen the other thread dealing with which cars are affected. Here's a link:

https://mbworld.org/forums/c63-amg-w...rly-2011s.html

The title gives you your answer.

Regards,

Joe

lmterre

Add another failed headbolt to the tally for a 2009 ML63 AMG.

Bought car used @ 72k miles. Was unaware of headbolt issue.

No problems other than had an acceleration issue where car stopped accelerating randomly. Only happened on long trip and had to pull over and restart the car. All was fine afterwards.

Oil Change and Transmission service @ 77K miles.

Now at 78K miles got the dreaded low coolant. Called my trusted Indy Merc mechanic and he said bring it by and they'd top it off. was probably a sensitive coolant sensor. Well a couple days of procrastination lead me to the point of having no heat. Checked the coolant reservoir and was bone dry. Added 1 Gallon of coolant. drove for a about an hour or two and monitored continued loss of coolant. Googled this issue and found this thread. checked oil and level was high. Saw no leaks of coolant. Did a business card test to check oil dissipation. Seemed suspect to having coolant in oil. Got car to Indy to check out. Verified head bolt issue. He recommended sending car to dealer to get checked out. Currently being towed to dealer.

What do you think dealer will try to say? What strategy do you think I should take in trying to get them to take care of the issue? What other options do you think I might have?

As for now, I'm assuming at a minimum, i'll need new head gasket and new bolts. What are the odds of requiring more work?

thanks for your help and advice. This is a very stressful situation, and I definitely feel the pain.

I knew maintenance would be expensive on this car when I bought it; just now an engine rebuild expensive.

DuaneC63

Your lucky you didn't get hydro lock with all the coolant in the combustion chambers. A blown motor is mega bucks. As far as MBZ helping, its completely at their discretion. If it was serviced at a dealer on schedule you have a better case. If they won't help, consider a good Indy that has done this work before. Since they have to pull the cams to get to the head bolts, and new design lifters are also needed, at 72k you might as well do a valve job. If you go the Indy route consider head studs instead of bolts. Best of luck.

lmterre

Thanks for your prompt reply and insight. I've see the head studs from Weistec. Depending on costs of this job quoted from the dealer and if my Indy couldn't do it at an alternatively lower price, I might consider shipping it off to somewhere more experienced with this issue. When you say "new design lifters" what does that consist of? Sorry for the dumb question, but I didn't see these parts being discussed from what I recall reading. I will follow up after the dealership has assessed the damage and prepares their quote.

DuaneC63

The lifters are replaced as part of the headbolt replacement service advisory. The original lifters caused premature cam wear. Since your cams have over 70k on them, you might have them replaced also. Then the top half of your motor would basically be new. I'd also replace all 4 camshaft adjusters.

SeanPeterson

Hi, I've got a 2009 C63 with 45,000km on the clock. No problems or coolant leaks. I believe it's Joe that does the VIN check. Here's mine: WDDGF77X19F348964. Is my engine affected, and given I'm at 45,000km, am I out of the woods? I'm going to my independent MB shop tomorrow to see if we can pop off the cover and look at the bolts. Thanks.

hyunman

Hi Sean,

Mine is in the affected range of VINs and at about 32K miles - so far without any issues. From what I've read on here, it seems it can kick in anywhere/anytime from about 30K miles and upward. Of course, like the guys above, there are many that have gone on without any issues. I haven't gotten this checked yet. Just crossing my fingers and wishing for the best at the moment. But could you report back on what your shop checks and how it sizes up whether you're susceptible to the issue? If there is a reliable way to preemptively check for this, I'd like to check it myself or have a shop look at it too in the next few weeks. Either way, hope yours is in the clear and checks out fine!

Mbm6f

Got an estimate from my dealer today on the cost to replace the head bolts. No issues (knock on wood), but I wanted to know what it would cost to get it done. They quoted me at $12,656.75 to replace the head bolts. What.

lmterre

To give everyone and update. Mercedes dealer called and quoted me $16K. I was floored and said i needed to speak with service manager. Service manager said his underling was wrong and was way off base. Had a bunch of parts that were unnecessary to the tune of $8K. Got him down to $6k and was willing to give 10% discount to $5400. I got him to come down further by showing him I could obtain parts for much less, so now we're at $4600. This consists of $1700 in parts and $2900 in labor. Labor rate is $125/hour @ 25 hours and he's discounting some. Of course, depending on if there is additional damage, this could go up.

Looking at all my options including my Indy, crating motor and shipping to Weistec, and going with Dealer, I think the best best will be to go the dealer route and get the benefit of the warrantied work. Now, I'll just have to decide whether to keep this beast or sell it after the work is done.......I loved this car, but it may have ruined me on Mercedes

Mbm6f

What exactly was that 16k meant to include?

lmterre

I think it was new gaskets, lifters, bolts, and cams (cams were not needed).

lmterre

That is absurd and rediculous!!! You should find a good Indy or any other decent mechanic. There's a DIY posted somewhere here on the forum.

Mbm6f

Luckily I'm close to Eurowise and GMP, I've heard great things about both.

I know... It's asinine...

DuaneC63

I'd go with the dealer. $4,600 isn't good, but its not bad with a warranty.