Intake Manifold Gasket Replacement
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 49
Likes: 0
From: NY
09 c63
Intake Manifold Gasket Replacement
Hi guys, I need some advice regarding service for my 09 c63 (50k miles, out of warranty, runs perfectly).
I just had Service B performed at my local dealer. While there, they decided that the car also needed a transmission service and rear differential service for a total of $1550 (Service B-$500, Brake Fluid Change-$250, Transmission Service-$550, Rear Diff Service-$250). When they returned the car, a CEL came on the next day. I brought the car back to said dealer and they told me in was a leak in the intake manifold and that the gasket needs to be replaced for $900.
I am feeling the distinct sensation of rape right now. Is this a fair price for this or should I go to a different shop?
I did my duty and hit the search button to discover that the gasket leak is a common problem in the 6.2L. However, is it possible that something the dealer did during service that caused this problem (there were no CELs before the service)?
Finally, is it necessary to replace the gasket at this very moment? The car runs absolutely fine.
Thanks for the help!
I just had Service B performed at my local dealer. While there, they decided that the car also needed a transmission service and rear differential service for a total of $1550 (Service B-$500, Brake Fluid Change-$250, Transmission Service-$550, Rear Diff Service-$250). When they returned the car, a CEL came on the next day. I brought the car back to said dealer and they told me in was a leak in the intake manifold and that the gasket needs to be replaced for $900.
I am feeling the distinct sensation of rape right now. Is this a fair price for this or should I go to a different shop?
I did my duty and hit the search button to discover that the gasket leak is a common problem in the 6.2L. However, is it possible that something the dealer did during service that caused this problem (there were no CELs before the service)?
Finally, is it necessary to replace the gasket at this very moment? The car runs absolutely fine.
Thanks for the help!
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 1,556
Likes: 15
From: Canada
07 E63 + 07 CLK63CAB
I see you are state side, take the car to an Autozone and let them pull the code for you, go from there. For all you know they left the gas cap off slightly, just saying. It seems pretty strange after the service where the car leaves your hands to the next day pull a code, for me anyways. Second would do the brake clean or wd 40 spray around the manifold to check for leaks if that code warrants it.
Super Member
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 752
Likes: 10
From: Orange County CA
CLS63S
I had to replace my intake manifold gasket at 26k miles. Your leak sounds much worse than mine, mine did not throw a CEL, but I had a high pitched sound when the car was warm coming from underneath the hood.
My car sounded exactly like this,
My local shop (Benzworks) took care of the problem for 1/4 of that cost, find a independent shop that knows what they are doing because the task is tedious and requires you replace the one time use bolts in the manifold. Also there is a special torquing technique they have to use to lock it down correctly.
My car sounded exactly like this,
My local shop (Benzworks) took care of the problem for 1/4 of that cost, find a independent shop that knows what they are doing because the task is tedious and requires you replace the one time use bolts in the manifold. Also there is a special torquing technique they have to use to lock it down correctly.
Super Member
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 919
Likes: 116
2009 c63
Hi guys, I need some advice regarding service for my 09 c63 (50k miles, out of warranty, runs perfectly).
I just had Service B performed at my local dealer. While there, they decided that the car also needed a transmission service and rear differential service for a total of $1550 (Service B-$500, Brake Fluid Change-$250, Transmission Service-$550, Rear Diff Service-$250). When they returned the car, a CEL came on the next day. I brought the car back to said dealer and they told me in was a leak in the intake manifold and that the gasket needs to be replaced for $900.
I am feeling the distinct sensation of rape right now. Is this a fair price for this or should I go to a different shop?
I did my duty and hit the search button to discover that the gasket leak is a common problem in the 6.2L. However, is it possible that something the dealer did during service that caused this problem (there were no CELs before the service)?
Finally, is it necessary to replace the gasket at this very moment? The car runs absolutely fine.
Thanks for the help!
I just had Service B performed at my local dealer. While there, they decided that the car also needed a transmission service and rear differential service for a total of $1550 (Service B-$500, Brake Fluid Change-$250, Transmission Service-$550, Rear Diff Service-$250). When they returned the car, a CEL came on the next day. I brought the car back to said dealer and they told me in was a leak in the intake manifold and that the gasket needs to be replaced for $900.
I am feeling the distinct sensation of rape right now. Is this a fair price for this or should I go to a different shop?
I did my duty and hit the search button to discover that the gasket leak is a common problem in the 6.2L. However, is it possible that something the dealer did during service that caused this problem (there were no CELs before the service)?
Finally, is it necessary to replace the gasket at this very moment? The car runs absolutely fine.
Thanks for the help!
Maybe someone here has done the same successfully by themselves?
I also just did the same fluid services last week... Ug didn't see that coming... Good thing I love this car.
Banned
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 1,317
Likes: 3
S550 on order
$900!!!! DO IT...Mine costed $3800 (probably a bit more wrong with mine) but $900...Dude that's dirt cheap...get it done...you realize how much a head light cost on these cars alone? 1 headlight is close to $2,000...if they are willing to fix your intake for $900 that's cheap as hell..especially from a dealer
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 3,704
Likes: 19
From: Denham Springs,LA
'12 C63 Black Series, '12 ML350 BlueTech
900$ is still expensive!!
I had my intake manifold gasket replaced recently by the dealer under extended warranty and it was charged 398$ ! So that dealer you are going to is trying to rip you off!
But if i was you i would have checked the OBDII code thrown. A vacuum leak could be caused by a bad gasket, cracks in the vacuum lines, faulty pcv hose or crack in the manifold itself. It is not a big deal on your engine unless yours is misfiring badly. Usually the leak creates rough idling and/or increased fuel consumption since your car will be running lean.
So if i was you i would check the code, use the brake cleaning technic to localise the leak or have a reputable shop do the smoke test. GL
I had my intake manifold gasket replaced recently by the dealer under extended warranty and it was charged 398$ ! So that dealer you are going to is trying to rip you off!
But if i was you i would have checked the OBDII code thrown. A vacuum leak could be caused by a bad gasket, cracks in the vacuum lines, faulty pcv hose or crack in the manifold itself. It is not a big deal on your engine unless yours is misfiring badly. Usually the leak creates rough idling and/or increased fuel consumption since your car will be running lean.
So if i was you i would check the code, use the brake cleaning technic to localise the leak or have a reputable shop do the smoke test. GL
Member
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 240
Likes: 13
From: Wilmington NC
M3
900$ is still expensive!!
I had my intake manifold gasket replaced recently by the dealer under extended warranty and it was charged 398$ ! So that dealer you are going to is trying to rip you off!
But if i was you i would have checked the OBDII code thrown. A vacuum leak could be caused by a bad gasket, cracks in the vacuum lines, faulty pcv hose or crack in the manifold itself. It is not a big deal on your engine unless yours is misfiring badly. Usually the leak creates rough idling and/or increased fuel consumption since your car will be running lean.
So if i was you i would check the code, use the brake cleaning technic to localise the leak or have a reputable shop do the smoke test. GL
I had my intake manifold gasket replaced recently by the dealer under extended warranty and it was charged 398$ ! So that dealer you are going to is trying to rip you off!
But if i was you i would have checked the OBDII code thrown. A vacuum leak could be caused by a bad gasket, cracks in the vacuum lines, faulty pcv hose or crack in the manifold itself. It is not a big deal on your engine unless yours is misfiring badly. Usually the leak creates rough idling and/or increased fuel consumption since your car will be running lean.
So if i was you i would check the code, use the brake cleaning technic to localise the leak or have a reputable shop do the smoke test. GL
I decided to keep my car and proceed with my Nitrous plans but wanted to do preventative maintenance.
Where do you find the intake manifold bolts to purchase?? I can't find them any where, not even a parts number.
I'll be replacing my intake filters, spark plugs, PCV, intake manifold gasket, bolts and maybe MAFS, before the nitrous install, just makes me feel better.
Thanks
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MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 3,704
Likes: 19
From: Denham Springs,LA
'12 C63 Black Series, '12 ML350 BlueTech
Hate to bring up a old thread but this is better than me making a whole new thread just for asking something simple.
I decided to keep my car and proceed with my Nitrous plans but wanted to do preventative maintenance.
Where do you find the intake manifold bolts to purchase?? I can't find them any where, not even a parts number.
I'll be replacing my intake filters, spark plugs, PCV, intake manifold gasket, bolts and maybe MAFS, before the nitrous install, just makes me feel better.
Thanks
I decided to keep my car and proceed with my Nitrous plans but wanted to do preventative maintenance.
Where do you find the intake manifold bolts to purchase?? I can't find them any where, not even a parts number.
I'll be replacing my intake filters, spark plugs, PCV, intake manifold gasket, bolts and maybe MAFS, before the nitrous install, just makes me feel better.
Thanks
GL
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Member
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 240
Likes: 13
From: Wilmington NC
M3
Thanks for that info, I was actually reading the pattern just now, could you clarify the degrees more? As in what you mean by 90 then 10, is this degrees of the wrench? Sorry if its a stupid question.
Junior Member
Joined: Oct 2016
Posts: 58
Likes: 7
09 C63, 04 CTS-V (just sold), 06 325, 15 500e, 96 NPR, 05 C172
Anyone know what the length and thread pitch on the intake manifold bolts are? I'm not a big fan of TTY bolts when they are known to vibrate loose. I'm getting a CEL for lean bank 1 and 2 so my plan is to replace the crap stock bolts with some non TTY and low strength lock tight. Also not a fan of Torx head, I'd like to just use hex head.
Also does any one know can you get to the bolts without having to remove the fuel rail etc?
thanks in advance.
Marco
Also does any one know can you get to the bolts without having to remove the fuel rail etc?
thanks in advance.
Marco
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 2,768
Likes: 419
'10 C63
Anyone know what the length and thread pitch on the intake manifold bolts are? I'm not a big fan of TTY bolts when they are known to vibrate loose. I'm getting a CEL for lean bank 1 and 2 so my plan is to replace the crap stock bolts with some non TTY and low strength lock tight. Also not a fan of Torx head, I'd like to just use hex head.
Also does any one know can you get to the bolts without having to remove the fuel rail etc?
thanks in advance.
Marco
Also does any one know can you get to the bolts without having to remove the fuel rail etc?
thanks in advance.
Marco
https://mbworld.org/forums/c63-amg-w...valve-diy.html
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 1,175
Likes: 130
From: NY
2010 C63 2019 GLA45
Stick with the Aluminum bolts.
If you use a different material, you may end up with cracks in the manifold.
The manifold is a magnesium alloy and requires bolts that thermally expand at a comparable rate. If you use a steel alloy, you may end up with a manifold thickness that has increased and a bolt length that is "trying to stay" constant, which will damage the manifold.
On the other hand, during the process of changing my gaskets, I replaced the bolts twice.
I measured the stretched length of the existing bolts vs the new set that I had installed per spec.
The existing bolts, by looking at their stretched length(tty), looked like the problem was they were not TTY-Ed at the factory. They were not long enough.
I also looked at the video that shows the technician assembling the m156 and they don't show the sequence where the manifold gets torqued. I don't know why.
So the manifold does not loosen due to vibration, due to the bolts being aluminum, but the manifold is not torqued right from the get go, noting that the bolts can be faulted for.
If you use a different material, you may end up with cracks in the manifold.
The manifold is a magnesium alloy and requires bolts that thermally expand at a comparable rate. If you use a steel alloy, you may end up with a manifold thickness that has increased and a bolt length that is "trying to stay" constant, which will damage the manifold.
On the other hand, during the process of changing my gaskets, I replaced the bolts twice.
I measured the stretched length of the existing bolts vs the new set that I had installed per spec.
The existing bolts, by looking at their stretched length(tty), looked like the problem was they were not TTY-Ed at the factory. They were not long enough.
I also looked at the video that shows the technician assembling the m156 and they don't show the sequence where the manifold gets torqued. I don't know why.
So the manifold does not loosen due to vibration, due to the bolts being aluminum, but the manifold is not torqued right from the get go, noting that the bolts can be faulted for.
