Ingenieur

headboltS?
All of them?
More than 1?
So they will cover the cost for the gasket but not the failure that was the cause for the replacement? Weird
Post the invoice please
And ask to take some pics
Also find out which bolt failed
Most seem rear of the right bank ( from the drivers seat)

What were the symptoms?
CEL?
Coolant loss?
Etc

CSIKTY3

I think he said three broke.

so first the coolant low light came on, started coming once a week but no sign of leaking! then it got to the point it was every 5-10 miles! then crazy loss of power where I knew I had a big problem and stopped driving the car before the engine hydrolicked

604 C63

Your posts read like you are writing a friggin telegram. I bet you're the type of guy who sends 8 texts messages that are 1 fragmented sentence each. Try and use some complete sentences. It would make you easier to understand. Spell it out. You don't have to worry about running out of internet ink and I'm not here to learn how to use some secret decoder ring that comes in a box of Raisin Bran.

In all seriousness, I think the other members would benefit and I think you would benefit from a more favorable reception.

sloanbj

AMG used to be known for good motors which made up in part for all the electrical gremlins in MB vehicles. This headbolt disaster is not good.

Merc63

M156 is one of the strongest engines out there.

I have 84,000km on mine. 20,000km under 10lbs of boost, running like a champ. Switch the ****ty head bolts out and be worry free... It is what it is.

How many engines do you know that can run 10psi at 11.3:1 like this??

My friend put twin turbos on his viper and it spun a bearing within a month at 5-6psi.

Ingenieur

You over estimate the value of your opinion
I don't care what you think
I'm sure it is reciprocated
It's the internet with no shortage of 'ink' or opinions
What would be the tangible 'benefit'? Lol
You would 'like' me? We established that does not matter to us.
Are you for real with your snarky BS or do you do it for effect lol
You sound insecure and compensate with being snide and pompous
Lighten up lil' cowpoke or you'll blow a gasket
Read it, don't read it, but don't expect others to conform to your expectations

I break it down so some like you can easily digest it
Using complete sentences does not ensure useful information: your post case in point
Critical, off topic, personal attack, 0 information, just venting

Ingenieur

Did they give you anything in writing?
afaik all the other failures only involved 1 bolt
3 would be a record
No coolant loss with 3 broken bolts?
Did you actually check the level?
What was the CEL? It's usually a misfire due to coolant in the cylinder

CSIKTY3

Nothing in writing yet, will confirm that it is three bolts broken on tuesday.

Oh yea like I said I was putting water and coolant once a week for few weeks then it got to the point it was low coolant within 5 miles of driving!

NO CEL AT ALL

604 C63

You are such a piece of work. No wonder people have no patience for you.

Ingenieur

You try to belittle others while acting superior but come across smarmy and petty. And I'm the piece of work. You need to worry less about my posts and meaningless things like that. Stop wanting to be 'liked' and 'cool'. Try for humble, happy and helpful. I did nothing to you.

As far as headbolts data is the key
How many?
Same bank?
Adjacent or seperated?


If you want to deal with this issue look at the Audi DRC and BMW e46 M3 rod bearing issues. Both were resolved with groundswell action.

But it was organized: names, VIN, mileage, dealer, invoices, etc
Not heresay
100's of failures were documented, the result requied no litigation.
BMW saw the website that contained the data
They extended warranty to 100k miles
Installed upgraded parts for free up to 100k miles
Warranty or not

Audi
Replaced the suspension with upgraded parts (I had H&R put on)
Gave a 2 year period to do it
Warranty or not

Someone needs to take the lead
Takes more lmowledge, organization and time than money
Be a perfect project for me except I do not believe it is an issue
More chance of a divorce or cancer or other real issue
Money can't fix those

The rub is the m156 fix is more costly because there are so many more of them
Also the rate is very low so better to deal with them individually as they crop up
For those reasons i'll deal with it privately
I sent them a letter (to the prez MB USA) and got a call and a response
It's been placed into my sevice records
I am not worried and will deal with it when/if it happens
I will be such a well prepared pita that they will work with me just to make more go away lol

604 C63

You're right. Usually I see your posts I roll right past them without reading them. This is when you haven't been red flagged of course.

I will resume ignoring you, like so many others do.

Ingenieur

I know
Glad you figured it out
Still no headbolt content though?
Just ridicule and personal attacks
Seriously, set some priorities, and this ain't one of them

604 C63

Guilty

Quote:

Originally Posted by 604 C63

You're right. Usually I see your posts I roll right past them without reading them. This is when you haven't been red flagged of course.

I will resume ignoring you, like so many others do.

CSIKTY3

Where can I get the info to write a left to preS of mbusa? Why hasn't a group of people got together for class action?

Ingenieur

the address is easy to find, try the financial report, corporate website
I sent mine FedEx with a signature required

because a suit costs money, is complicated, takes a long time, and MB will be forced to dig their heels in
and the settlement usually does not make the class members whole and only enriches the lawyers, lol, look at the Porsche IMS settlement, hogwash

My advice, don't sweat it, the mtbf and rate is so low I'm not concerned
Enjoy the car, not doing so is diminished return on your investment, lol
if it happens I'll cross that bridge at that time

jcfay

Really? Is it that big of a deal? No, it's not. People write on here all the time in poor English, etc. Who cares.

I wonder what my "reception" is. Oh wait, no I don't. But I'd hope that I'm not received as critical for critical's sake.

w204nyc

Does anyone know the costs of the headbolts and installation? I only know of the weistec ones!

Ingenieur

That's why an invoice is important
20 bolts
2 gaskets
32? Hydraulic lifters
2 oil changes
Shop supplies

Labor is 16 to 20 hours iirc

w204nyc

Sounds like its better to just trade the car in and get something else

Ingenieur

My estimate
1500 parts
2500 labor
Tax/misc 500
Maybe 4.5k

The chances are small
So small doing it preemptively makes no sense to me

If your loss on selling the car prematurely, ie, before it makes sense or you've milked value out of is greater than the cost of repair imo makes sense to keep it
That assumes you can't work something out with MB

CSIKTY3

dealer told me Worst case $5,200 BEFORE ANY DISCOUNT

Ingenieur

So not too far off I guess
Most will give 15% discount with or without MB Club membership
I bet you can get some goodwill contribution also
Geographic area impacts labor rate too
LA might be 200/hr and podunk PA 150

Shop around, dealers want the work
Get a not to exceed quote in writing up front

-Marlin-

Sorry to hear about this. Very unfortunate, but working with the dealer and MB North America may yield you a discount that makes the repair and piece of mind of having the redesigned head bolts not too bad to stomach.

I've heard the MB takes real good care of people in this circumstance, BUT every time they do they set a presidence bordering on admitting liability. Be prepared to be persistent in voicing your complaint. I would try to get in touch with an MB Factory Rep through the dealer. I'm sure whoever you end up dealing with will be aware of this and has dealt with it in the past.

It's just a good thing that you had the foresight to pull over immediately before any severe long term damage could have occurred requiring engine replacement.

Ingenieur

And take a copy of the TSB when negotiating