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I have a 2009 C63 AMG with under 46k miles. The engine light just came on and the shop says that both sides of the intake manifold are cracked and leaking. The replacement part from Germany was estimated at $3,400. If I need to spend money on an intake, I might as well upgrade, right? I am open to suggestions. Aftermarket intake manifold? Supercharger?
Last edited by JeffMB; 10-08-2014 at 11:49 AM.
Reason: Fixed
also, I know weistec has used manifolds they can sell you. was this diagnosed by a stealership or an indie shop? are you sure it's not just the intake mani gaskets? I find it hard to believe that your manifold is cracked, let alone on both sides (unless you had some kind of impact there).
Maximus, the diagnosis was from a dealership. I had the same thought. I usually buy the parts from them. But I do the installation work. I thought that I would check out the manifold this weekend for any visual cracks.
Maximus, the diagnosis was from a dealership. I had the same thought. I usually buy the parts from them. But I do the installation work. I thought that I would check out the manifold this weekend for any visual cracks.
interesting. yeah, I would definitely check it out or even get a second opinion. if you do need a new manifold, call weistec. they have ones that they've pulled off when they install superchargers. I believe they sell them for around $2000.
I looked at the intake over the weekend. It looks fine and solid. No evidence of cracking. I believe it is the seal. When I asked the dealership, they said that they sprayed something by the seal to see if the idling changed and it did. To me that says bad seal. Maybe they wanted to cover their asses in case they cracked the intake while removing it.
Here's a picture
Does it have a sealing gasket or sealant bead or just a mechanical fit? Looks like a rubber gasket
Perhaps the bolts are loose?
I personally would clean it up and try rtv, new gasket or something before forking over 3400 plus labor!
No cracked is cracked. They just wanted to roll the dices and try to make a profit!lol!
If there are no evident signs of crack you should be just find with a new gasket. You would need 10 new bolts too.
Here's a picture
Does it have a sealing gasket or sealant bead or just a mechanical fit? Looks like a rubber gasket
Perhaps the bolts are loose?
I personally would clean it up and try rtv, new gasket or something before forking over 3400 plus labor!
Interesting. If it's the center manifold, there is no gasket. Now I am not sure what piece is leaking. Does anyone know the recommended torque for the intake bolts. I don't want to over tighten them but maybe that is the best place to start.
I would think the gaskets on the sides would be the problem and not the center manifold.
Interesting. If it's the center manifold, there is no gasket. Now I am not sure what piece is leaking. Does anyone know the recommended torque for the intake bolts. I don't want to over tighten them but maybe that is the best place to start.
I would think the gaskets on the sides would be the problem and not the center manifold.
if you look closely the right piece seems to have a rubber gasket/ring and the left a groove/recess to recieve it...
knowing MB they probably don't sell the gasket seperately, only the entire manifold lol
I would clean it up
silicone the gasket to get it pliable and to 'swell'
RTV in the grouve and reassemble
torque in a cross patter to whatever the std torque for the fastener size is
I'm guessing 20 lb ft is plenty
Interesting. If it's the center manifold, there is no gasket. Now I am not sure what piece is leaking. Does anyone know the recommended torque for the intake bolts. I don't want to over tighten them but maybe that is the best place to start. I would think the gaskets on the sides would be the problem and not the center manifold.
+1. the side ones are what I had replaced. those things go bad relatively quickly.
The bolts loosen up and the gaskets leak. Happens all the time. The bolts are a stretch bolt and have to be replaced with the gaskets. Also do the PCV valve at the same time. They go bad all the time as well. THe only intake manifold issue I have ever heard of on the m156 was very early ones had an issue with one of the flap actuators were it goes into the intake from the front and that leaked. This was only on very early production though before the C class.