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Fair play. But, fixing it when it's broken is much more costly and labour intensive than going the preventive maintenance route.
I wasted my time and money going the preventive maintenance route and discovered my bolts were nasty AF. Would they have failed any time soon? Maybe, and that was good enough to help me sleep at night.
Hi,
Im looking at an 2009 SL63 and am wondering if you could tell me where you got the head bolt replacement done and at what cost $$$?
Thanks
I think that engines up to 60024801 might be safe, and the defect starts with engine 60024802 all the way to 60060658.
If you look at the bolt revisions at EPC you will notice that the first two parts are used in engines up to 60024801, 10/12/2007. With the second revision having the note "FIRST EXHAUST STOCK OF OLD PARTS" . Only the 3rd revision has a note not to use it anymore.
So what if the head bolt issue occurs for cars having part number A1560160669? While A1560160369,A1560160469, and A1560160769 are safe.
If you look at the TSB L101.30-P-051567, it mentions "engines up to 60060658". They won't specify that engines up to 60024801 are safe, because if these engines prove to be defective, 24,801 customers could sue Mercedes/ AMG for false or misleading information.
So then 60021831 would be on the good side? Only have 53,000 on it but this peaks my interest for sure.
I did the job in the left bank, the bolts are more than perfect
That bolt at the back in the middle seems to have a little telltale sign of brown, maybe rust on it.
Not that it matters now as you are replacing them anyway.
I think that the use of sealant on the head bolts varies depending on engine builder: I've seen many photos of with zero sealant, a few like mine with sealant on abut 1" of the lower threaded area and even fewer like yours with sealant on the threads and shank.
I'm going to disagree about the sealant being discoloured, I am certain its a result of rusting of the bolt. The sealant is a high-heat Permatex product and does not discolour according to my research. Further supported by the fact that the rest of your bolts show no discolouration at all: the only condition that could be different and cause discolouration would be leakage and rusting. IMO. I think it was a very good decision to change out your bolts, mine were similar, a few had evidence of minor rusting, cams and lifters were all excellent and the engine was most likely good for another 50,000 miles or more. Or not, there is no way to know until you open it up and then, while your in there might as well spend some on insurance.
I think that the use of sealant on the head bolts varies depending on engine builder: I've seen many photos of with zero sealant, a few like mine with sealant on abut 1" of the lower threaded area and even fewer like yours with sealant on the threads and shank.
I'm going to disagree about the sealant being discoloured, I am certain its a result of rusting of the bolt. The sealant is a high-heat Permatex product and does not discolour according to my research. Further supported by the fact that the rest of your bolts show no discolouration at all: the only condition that could be different and cause discolouration would be leakage and rusting. IMO. I think it was a very good decision to change out your bolts, mine were similar, a few had evidence of minor rusting, cams and lifters were all excellent and the engine was most likely good for another 50,000 miles or more. Or not, there is no way to know until you open it up and then, while your in there might as well spend some on insurance.
look the pictures, the bolt in the right before and after
are you still convinced that is rust?
it Isn’t rust
06-26-2019, 11:00 AM
