Last edit by: IB Advertising
See related guides and technical advice from our community experts:
Browse all: Specifications and General Maintenance
- Mercedes-Benz C-Class: Buying Guide
Important information to help you understand your Mercedes-Benz
Browse all: Specifications and General Maintenance
C63 Head Bolts and Engine Repair
#76
Super Member
thanks buddy, we shall soon see after all the time and money i put into it if she holds together lol
#77
Newbie
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: Pittsburgh
Posts: 11
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
08' E63, 12' Escalade
Hydrolocked 6.2
My 08' E63 was just diagnosed with the dreaded head bolt failure. My engine hydro locked and I am awaiting a decision from the Mercedes dealer (I am out of warranty with 53k on it, and 6 months over).
My question is for Mrtazzy: if Mercedes is unwilling to do anything for me, would you be able to recommend anyone in the states to do the type of repairs you so thoroughly did, and around the same price? I'm in the Ohio/Pa area, but willing to pay to have it taken somewhere within a few hundred miles or so... You can PM me if you prefer that way. Thank you for any help you can give me... I'm really bummed out about this with it being my first Mercedes....
My question is for Mrtazzy: if Mercedes is unwilling to do anything for me, would you be able to recommend anyone in the states to do the type of repairs you so thoroughly did, and around the same price? I'm in the Ohio/Pa area, but willing to pay to have it taken somewhere within a few hundred miles or so... You can PM me if you prefer that way. Thank you for any help you can give me... I'm really bummed out about this with it being my first Mercedes....
#78
My 08' E63 was just diagnosed with the dreaded head bolt failure. My engine hydro locked and I am awaiting a decision from the Mercedes dealer (I am out of warranty with 53k on it, and 6 months over).
My question is for Mrtazzy: if Mercedes is unwilling to do anything for me, would you be able to recommend anyone in the states to do the type of repairs you so thoroughly did, and around the same price? I'm in the Ohio/Pa area, but willing to pay to have it taken somewhere within a few hundred miles or so... You can PM me if you prefer that way. Thank you for any help you can give me... I'm really bummed out about this with it being my first Mercedes....
My question is for Mrtazzy: if Mercedes is unwilling to do anything for me, would you be able to recommend anyone in the states to do the type of repairs you so thoroughly did, and around the same price? I'm in the Ohio/Pa area, but willing to pay to have it taken somewhere within a few hundred miles or so... You can PM me if you prefer that way. Thank you for any help you can give me... I'm really bummed out about this with it being my first Mercedes....
#79
MBWorld Fanatic!
My 08' E63 was just diagnosed with the dreaded head bolt failure. My engine hydro locked and I am awaiting a decision from the Mercedes dealer (I am out of warranty with 53k on it, and 6 months over).
My question is for Mrtazzy: if Mercedes is unwilling to do anything for me, would you be able to recommend anyone in the states to do the type of repairs you so thoroughly did, and around the same price? I'm in the Ohio/Pa area, but willing to pay to have it taken somewhere within a few hundred miles or so... You can PM me if you prefer that way. Thank you for any help you can give me... I'm really bummed out about this with it being my first Mercedes....
My question is for Mrtazzy: if Mercedes is unwilling to do anything for me, would you be able to recommend anyone in the states to do the type of repairs you so thoroughly did, and around the same price? I'm in the Ohio/Pa area, but willing to pay to have it taken somewhere within a few hundred miles or so... You can PM me if you prefer that way. Thank you for any help you can give me... I'm really bummed out about this with it being my first Mercedes....
#81
Excuse the small mod on the top.
Last edited by GeorgeSmooth; 01-30-2013 at 03:23 PM.
#83
Super Member
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: Fla. Snowbird.
Posts: 815
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes
on
2 Posts
Porsche 911 Turbo S 2014! E63S 14, Audi S8 13, CLS63 12, E550 12, C63 09, all tuned
Head Bolt 1bolt at a time
Can someone tell me, why replacing one bolt at a time would not work???
Cheapest way?
Cheapest way?
#85
MBWorld Fanatic!
Join Date: Apr 2010
Posts: 1,955
Likes: 0
Received 7 Likes
on
7 Posts
2017 Mini Cooper S Clubman ALL4 - British Racing Green
Since you have had the engine out.. without removing the entire front end/bumper, if I just remove the upper grill, would I have access to the belts (mines due to replacement soon, would rather do it myself, but the space is really tight in there if you don't remove everything )
#86
Since you have had the engine out.. without removing the entire front end/bumper, if I just remove the upper grill, would I have access to the belts (mines due to replacement soon, would rather do it myself, but the space is really tight in there if you don't remove everything )
#87
I highly doubt it.
#88
MBWorld Fanatic!
#89
Member
10? 20? 30 times? ask me how many times I have.
you can highly doubt whatever you want, it doesn't change reality. I can highly doubt the law of gravity. but I'll let you test it.
where do people come up with this stuff?
newbie: hey I got a question since I don't know anything yet but I want to learn.
highly experienced veteran: ......answer......
newbie: hmmm. that doesn't sound right.
lol.
#90
MBWorld Fanatic!
That would be the biggest hack job ever on a AMG! Would not attempt such a half a$$repair. Not good in long run.
#91
how many times have you tried it? how many engines have you rebuilt? how many times have you balanced and blueprinted an engine to strict racing specifications for a car that you drive and rely on to be consistent and win races?
10? 20? 30 times? ask me how many times I have.
you can highly doubt whatever you want, it doesn't change reality. I can highly doubt the law of gravity. but I'll let you test it.
where do people come up with this stuff?
newbie: hey I got a question since I don't know anything yet but I want to learn.
highly experienced veteran: ......answer......
newbie: hmmm. that doesn't sound right.
lol.
10? 20? 30 times? ask me how many times I have.
you can highly doubt whatever you want, it doesn't change reality. I can highly doubt the law of gravity. but I'll let you test it.
where do people come up with this stuff?
newbie: hey I got a question since I don't know anything yet but I want to learn.
highly experienced veteran: ......answer......
newbie: hmmm. that doesn't sound right.
lol.
Ive worked in an engine shop and have seen this technique used first hand. Ask a mechanic, it can be done like this.
There are 9 other head bolts holding the head down with a tremendous amount of clamping force. The head and the seal aren't going anywhere because you took 1 of 10 bolts out.
Ive had the head gasket develop a leak from getting too hot on the bike. Simply retorque the bolt back down and the leak is gone.
You guys think because its an AMG its some special technology that no one has ever seen before lol.. Do a search online, lots of guys of done this method before, its nothing new!
Last edited by Merc63; 01-31-2013 at 10:41 PM.
#92
Senior Member
Later head bolts made out of different materials were supposed to make this unnecessary. The new head bolts were/are able to maintain nearly the same clamping force at a range of temperatures and not relax pressure on the head gasket when the engine cools.
It is a real drag that the O.E. head bolts were designed with a weakness. That being said, if I owned a 2008-2010 6.2L which wasn't covered by a warranty and there was not yet evidence of a problem, I would seriously consider replacing the head bolts with the updated O.E. parts. Yes, one at a time. I would do it on a cold engine with the coolant drained as an extra precaution.
Just one ASE Master Tech's opinion.
#93
Member
Ive worked in an engine shop and have seen this technique used first hand. Ask a mechanic, it can be done like this.
There are 9 other head bolts holding the head down with a tremendous amount of clamping force. The head and the seal aren't going anywhere because you took 1 of 10 bolts out.
Ive had the head gasket develop a leak from getting too hot on the bike. Simply retorque the bolt back down and the leak is gone.
You guys think because its an AMG its some special technology that no one has ever seen before lol.. Do a search online, lots of guys of done this method before, its nothing new!
There are 9 other head bolts holding the head down with a tremendous amount of clamping force. The head and the seal aren't going anywhere because you took 1 of 10 bolts out.
Ive had the head gasket develop a leak from getting too hot on the bike. Simply retorque the bolt back down and the leak is gone.
You guys think because its an AMG its some special technology that no one has ever seen before lol.. Do a search online, lots of guys of done this method before, its nothing new!
It really is a valid question. Back in the day-before stretch bolts (Pre1979), it was a common service procedure to loosen and retorque the head bolts on both BMW and some water cooled Porsche engines. After many heat cycles, the head gaskets would compress a bit, usually causing oil seepage issues. During BMW valve adjustments we would always run a torque wrench around all the head bolts. Porsche even came out with a TSB for the early 924 engine spelling out the procedure. Cold engine, one a time-loosening a 1/2 turn and then retorquing, etc.
Later head bolts made out of different materials were supposed to make this unnecessary. The new head bolts were/are able to maintain nearly the same clamping force at a range of temperatures and not relax pressure on the head gasket when the engine cools.
It is a real drag that the O.E. head bolts were designed with a weakness. That being said, if I owned a 2008-2010 6.2L which wasn't covered by a warranty and there was not yet evidence of a problem, I would seriously consider replacing the head bolts with the updated O.E. parts. Yes, one at a time. I would do it on a cold engine with the coolant drained as an extra precaution.
Just one ASE Master Tech's opinion.
Later head bolts made out of different materials were supposed to make this unnecessary. The new head bolts were/are able to maintain nearly the same clamping force at a range of temperatures and not relax pressure on the head gasket when the engine cools.
It is a real drag that the O.E. head bolts were designed with a weakness. That being said, if I owned a 2008-2010 6.2L which wasn't covered by a warranty and there was not yet evidence of a problem, I would seriously consider replacing the head bolts with the updated O.E. parts. Yes, one at a time. I would do it on a cold engine with the coolant drained as an extra precaution.
Just one ASE Master Tech's opinion.
sounds like a great way to charge 15 hours of labor while doing 2..... most of the master techs I know are master of....."efficiency."
not saying you are, I don't know you. I'm just saying.....in general.
#96
https://docs.google.com/viewer?a=v&q...8IGc6lF3EudDjQ
Replacing with ARP Studs ONE AT A TIME.
This has been going on for a long time. Im surprised a master engine builder like yourself isn't aware of it...
Replacing with ARP Studs ONE AT A TIME.
This has been going on for a long time. Im surprised a master engine builder like yourself isn't aware of it...
#97
Member
https://docs.google.com/viewer?a=v&q...8IGc6lF3EudDjQ
Replacing with ARP Studs ONE AT A TIME.
This has been going on for a long time. Im surprised a master engine builder like yourself isn't aware of it...
Replacing with ARP Studs ONE AT A TIME.
This has been going on for a long time. Im surprised a master engine builder like yourself isn't aware of it...
at the end of the day you can do whatever you want to your car. I am sure you have seen the tacky things people do, like green brake calipers or painting random items black,etc. do what you want, nothing wrong with that. I wouldn't do it for you.
I have replaced bolts with head studs before one at a time on other engines, however, not many engines out there have the replacement cost of an amg 6.3, and those engines did not have a known defect surrounding these parts, they we not under warranty, the work was not performed for someone else, and the application necessitated studs (ie high hp).
btw your link was dead for me, but I am on an ipad so I'll look again later.
#98
Senior Member
[quote=Higgs Boson;5528343]has nothing to do with being an amg
can it be done? sure. is it the right way? no.
sounds like a great way to charge 15 hours of labor while doing 2..... most of the master techs I know are master of....."efficiency."
not saying you are, I don't know you. I'm just saying.....in general.
"oh really? what do you do for a living that qualifies you to make this or any of your statements?"
Quote from one of your previous posts...
No, you don't know me.
Why must some people on this forum, when they do not share an opinion with the poster, call into question their integrity and/or honesty?
I have followed the head bolt issue for over a year on these forums, and spoken to more than one dealership tech about what they are seeing. My subsequent suggestion is based on 38 years of street, performance, and race experience.
I personally don't give a rat's *** what you think of my opinion, my qualifications, ASE tech's or whatever. I was merely suggesting that others on this forum who do not agree with you may have a valid point.
Mercedes in general, and in particular AMG products, are generally impressively engineered machines. They are however designed by humans, with many competing forces requiring the designer to make decisions that occasionally do not prove to pass the test of time. I spend a good part of my day dealing with these situations. And try to work out the most palatable solution for the customer.
We just spent a good part of two days flushing out the secondary air injection ports in a BMW V8 to try to avoid doing what the dealer recommended, replace both cylinder heads. Do not even start with 15 hour jobs done in 2 hours.......
can it be done? sure. is it the right way? no.
sounds like a great way to charge 15 hours of labor while doing 2..... most of the master techs I know are master of....."efficiency."
not saying you are, I don't know you. I'm just saying.....in general.
"oh really? what do you do for a living that qualifies you to make this or any of your statements?"
Quote from one of your previous posts...
No, you don't know me.
Why must some people on this forum, when they do not share an opinion with the poster, call into question their integrity and/or honesty?
I have followed the head bolt issue for over a year on these forums, and spoken to more than one dealership tech about what they are seeing. My subsequent suggestion is based on 38 years of street, performance, and race experience.
I personally don't give a rat's *** what you think of my opinion, my qualifications, ASE tech's or whatever. I was merely suggesting that others on this forum who do not agree with you may have a valid point.
Mercedes in general, and in particular AMG products, are generally impressively engineered machines. They are however designed by humans, with many competing forces requiring the designer to make decisions that occasionally do not prove to pass the test of time. I spend a good part of my day dealing with these situations. And try to work out the most palatable solution for the customer.
We just spent a good part of two days flushing out the secondary air injection ports in a BMW V8 to try to avoid doing what the dealer recommended, replace both cylinder heads. Do not even start with 15 hour jobs done in 2 hours.......
#99
Newbie
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: Pittsburgh
Posts: 11
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
08' E63, 12' Escalade
Good news
Hi all -
I just wanted to post an update on my situation. Ive held off for a few days on this because I didnt want to jinx anything before it was actually done and finished, but I think it may be safe enough to do so now.
To briefly recap, my 08' E63 (M156 engine) stopped running and I was afraid it was due to an issue that may be a recurring issue with these cars. My car has 54K on it, and is 6 months out of warranty, so I feared the worst in a total engine failure. I took it into the local Mercedes dealer last week (flat bedded, and not starting), just hoping for the best. They called a few days later and said they think it was a head bolt failure/ and or stuck open fuel injector(s), and they were able to get Mercedes to fully cover the initial attempt at repairs which included a starter, 8 fuel injectors, O2 sensor, plugs, and a few other parts that I cant recall but I think fuel rails, and maybe heads(?). I cant recall exactly because I was just so ecstatic at the time that I didnt hear everything except "Mercedes was going to cover it". They said they would try that first, but wouldnt know if there was any internal damage done or not until they got in there to do it.
Well, I crossed my fingers again, but felt a bit more relief than when I brought it in to them, cautiously thinking that if they were willing to cover that much, then they probably would cover (at least in part) anything else that may need fixed/replaced.
They called this afternoon and said it is all fixed up, and they were going to deliver it directly to my door this evening.. I was/am on cloud 9, and cant wait to get my baby back! I still have to actually drive it and make sure it is in fact "right", but I cant see them bringing it back if it wasnt . So at this point I want to give kudos to Mercedes and their customer service, especially for going above and beyond in this situation (even if it was a know problem by them across the M156 band of engines, they at least did the right thing in this case).
When I get it back and test it out I will update on everything, including the work performed and parts replaced.. Im a happy fella right now!
I just wanted to post an update on my situation. Ive held off for a few days on this because I didnt want to jinx anything before it was actually done and finished, but I think it may be safe enough to do so now.
To briefly recap, my 08' E63 (M156 engine) stopped running and I was afraid it was due to an issue that may be a recurring issue with these cars. My car has 54K on it, and is 6 months out of warranty, so I feared the worst in a total engine failure. I took it into the local Mercedes dealer last week (flat bedded, and not starting), just hoping for the best. They called a few days later and said they think it was a head bolt failure/ and or stuck open fuel injector(s), and they were able to get Mercedes to fully cover the initial attempt at repairs which included a starter, 8 fuel injectors, O2 sensor, plugs, and a few other parts that I cant recall but I think fuel rails, and maybe heads(?). I cant recall exactly because I was just so ecstatic at the time that I didnt hear everything except "Mercedes was going to cover it". They said they would try that first, but wouldnt know if there was any internal damage done or not until they got in there to do it.
Well, I crossed my fingers again, but felt a bit more relief than when I brought it in to them, cautiously thinking that if they were willing to cover that much, then they probably would cover (at least in part) anything else that may need fixed/replaced.
They called this afternoon and said it is all fixed up, and they were going to deliver it directly to my door this evening.. I was/am on cloud 9, and cant wait to get my baby back! I still have to actually drive it and make sure it is in fact "right", but I cant see them bringing it back if it wasnt . So at this point I want to give kudos to Mercedes and their customer service, especially for going above and beyond in this situation (even if it was a know problem by them across the M156 band of engines, they at least did the right thing in this case).
When I get it back and test it out I will update on everything, including the work performed and parts replaced.. Im a happy fella right now!