Bedplate Leak w/pics - how common is this issue?
#1
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Bedplate Leak w/pics - how common is this issue?
I had posted about my oil leak earlier this week, after originally be diagnosed as an upper pan leak, they looked more into and feel it is the bedplate; this is an idny shop who specializes in MBs, BMWs, Porsches, etc; I paused on the repair b/c I purchased the car within the last 2 months with 28600mi on the odo. I knowing purchased the car with out a warranty (was eligible), and understood the risks, from an independent dealer; I'm not happy but fortunately I can deal with it. I work in the car business and buy for a very large wholesale operation so I do have some connections. The selling dealer (local to me) has been very accommodating to help make the situation right. The will car be in route (going up on a rollback) this afternoon to the selling dealer's shop, who also inspects all of this dealer's inventory (and other dealers I know) cars. The shop has an excellent reputation with experience fixing this issue, the owner actually told me it was quite common.
I feel it was an honest miss in the inspection b/c the car's engine had been cleaned (purchased from another wholesaler) for the selling dealer's acquired the car. When my shop cleaned the motor and drove the car the next day it was bone dry after - I have put an additional 200 miles on it and am not seeing or smelling any oil....yet - the initial problem didn't start showing the floor until about a month after the purchase. Everyone has been helpful and I feel this will be made right, I know I will come out of pocket, but initial conversations lead me to believe everyone will be throwing in on this one.
I read about this issue in my research, but it didn't look to be that common - little taken back. This is not my first AMG, had an 04 E55 that was flawless .
Will keep this thread updated as the saga progresses.
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2012 P31 C63 Coupe Trackrat, 2019 GLE63S Coupe Beast
A search on the forum of "bedplate leak" turns up exactly zero hits other than yours. So that's the answer. Not common.
With that said, if it's bone-dry after hundreds of miles, and a huge job to do, but might leave a couple of drips every now and then.... is it a problem that's likely to get worse over time, or can it just be lived with (i.e. is it not critical or likely to dump all of your oil out without warning). Or is it something to address down the road if it gets worse. Serious questions. I'm all for fixing things as they happen, but a drop or two of oil on the floor every couple hundred miles.... given the magnitude of the repair on an 8yo car is it worth it?
Glad your guys are stepping up either way. Hope you get a good resolution.
With that said, if it's bone-dry after hundreds of miles, and a huge job to do, but might leave a couple of drips every now and then.... is it a problem that's likely to get worse over time, or can it just be lived with (i.e. is it not critical or likely to dump all of your oil out without warning). Or is it something to address down the road if it gets worse. Serious questions. I'm all for fixing things as they happen, but a drop or two of oil on the floor every couple hundred miles.... given the magnitude of the repair on an 8yo car is it worth it?
Glad your guys are stepping up either way. Hope you get a good resolution.
Last edited by BLKROKT; 04-19-2018 at 02:06 PM.
The following 2 users liked this post by BLKROKT:
Boughtittwice (04-19-2018),
Duffer4126 (07-24-2018)
#3
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A search on the forum of "bedplate leak" turns up exactly zero hits other than yours. So that's the answer. Not common.
With that said, if it's bone-dry after hundreds of miles, and a huge job to do, but might leave a couple of drips every now and then.... is it a problem that's likely to get worse over time, or can it just be lived with (i.e. is it not critical or likely to dump all of your oil out without warning). Or is it something to address down the road if it gets worse. Serious questions. I'm all for fixing things as they happen, but a drop or two of oil on the floor every couple hundred miles.... given the magnitude of the repair on an 8yo car is it worth it?
Glad your guys are stepping up either way. Hope you get a good resolution.
With that said, if it's bone-dry after hundreds of miles, and a huge job to do, but might leave a couple of drips every now and then.... is it a problem that's likely to get worse over time, or can it just be lived with (i.e. is it not critical or likely to dump all of your oil out without warning). Or is it something to address down the road if it gets worse. Serious questions. I'm all for fixing things as they happen, but a drop or two of oil on the floor every couple hundred miles.... given the magnitude of the repair on an 8yo car is it worth it?
Glad your guys are stepping up either way. Hope you get a good resolution.
#5
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Good point, no the initial shop felt it was higher than the upper pan. My rollback just picked it up, will be at the other shop in the AM. I am praying for the pan - he seems to have more experience with this motor.
Pic is a big help, thank you!
Pic is a big help, thank you!
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The upper pan is still very difficult to correct. I'm pretty sure that's where my leak is coming from and I'll just try an exterior gasket sealer like this https://www.permatex.com/products/ad...t-leak-repair/ whenever I get around to it.
You can also go to this thread and see a lot of pics of the engine apart. https://classicmotorsports.com/forum...110824/page73/
You can also go to this thread and see a lot of pics of the engine apart. https://classicmotorsports.com/forum...110824/page73/
#7
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**** UPDATE****
The shop confirmed it is the upper crankcase gasket that is leaking; I will be coming out of pocket for half the cost - significantly better than footing the whole thing. Car should be done at the end of the week and the shop is taking pics to document the repair. Wow, certainly didn't expect this one, but I am over it, looking forward to enjoying it next week. I will post pics of the repair when I get them.
Thanks again for the info!
The shop confirmed it is the upper crankcase gasket that is leaking; I will be coming out of pocket for half the cost - significantly better than footing the whole thing. Car should be done at the end of the week and the shop is taking pics to document the repair. Wow, certainly didn't expect this one, but I am over it, looking forward to enjoying it next week. I will post pics of the repair when I get them.
Thanks again for the info!
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*** Update ***
I heard from my mechanic today, the story gets more interesting, but the car will be fine and fixed in the end and I will purchasing a warranty (at selling dealers cost) which is surprisingly reasonable, still need to look at the fine print.
- Someone (PO) had previously been in there to fix the initial leak
- The previous tech reinstalled the dowels, that line up the lower crankcase with the bottom of the block, improperly, causing the leak
- This caused some minor damage to the lower crankcase, but is repairable and will not cause any further issues. They also found a hairline crack in the lower crankcase where the oil pump shaft goes through - he is not too happy about it, but it is not possible to source just the lower crankcase from MB. He will be repairing the hairline crack and is confident that the repair will stop any further damage.
- The last, and most alarming find, was that one of the crank bearings moved a little bit (again poor initial repair), they fixed the issue, the crank has no damage.
- As much as this experience has sucked, I feel better that they found the bearing issue, that could have been catastrophic!
- They are waiting on 2 bolts for the bearing caps as they are one use only and apparently tough to find in this country; they should be there tomorrow and they will start the rebuild process.
I heard from my mechanic today, the story gets more interesting, but the car will be fine and fixed in the end and I will purchasing a warranty (at selling dealers cost) which is surprisingly reasonable, still need to look at the fine print.
- Someone (PO) had previously been in there to fix the initial leak
- The previous tech reinstalled the dowels, that line up the lower crankcase with the bottom of the block, improperly, causing the leak
- This caused some minor damage to the lower crankcase, but is repairable and will not cause any further issues. They also found a hairline crack in the lower crankcase where the oil pump shaft goes through - he is not too happy about it, but it is not possible to source just the lower crankcase from MB. He will be repairing the hairline crack and is confident that the repair will stop any further damage.
- The last, and most alarming find, was that one of the crank bearings moved a little bit (again poor initial repair), they fixed the issue, the crank has no damage.
- As much as this experience has sucked, I feel better that they found the bearing issue, that could have been catastrophic!
- They are waiting on 2 bolts for the bearing caps as they are one use only and apparently tough to find in this country; they should be there tomorrow and they will start the rebuild process.
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Good outcome. And good thing you fixed it properly instead of a temporary band-aid.
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Boughtittwice (04-30-2018)
#12
*** Update ***
I heard from my mechanic today, the story gets more interesting, but the car will be fine and fixed in the end and I will purchasing a warranty (at selling dealers cost) which is surprisingly reasonable, still need to look at the fine print.
- Someone (PO) had previously been in there to fix the initial leak
- The previous tech reinstalled the dowels, that line up the lower crankcase with the bottom of the block, improperly, causing the leak
- This caused some minor damage to the lower crankcase, but is repairable and will not cause any further issues. They also found a hairline crack in the lower crankcase where the oil pump shaft goes through - he is not too happy about it, but it is not possible to source just the lower crankcase from MB. He will be repairing the hairline crack and is confident that the repair will stop any further damage.
- The last, and most alarming find, was that one of the crank bearings moved a little bit (again poor initial repair), they fixed the issue, the crank has no damage.
- As much as this experience has sucked, I feel better that they found the bearing issue, that could have been catastrophic!
- They are waiting on 2 bolts for the bearing caps as they are one use only and apparently tough to find in this country; they should be there tomorrow and they will start the rebuild process.
I heard from my mechanic today, the story gets more interesting, but the car will be fine and fixed in the end and I will purchasing a warranty (at selling dealers cost) which is surprisingly reasonable, still need to look at the fine print.
- Someone (PO) had previously been in there to fix the initial leak
- The previous tech reinstalled the dowels, that line up the lower crankcase with the bottom of the block, improperly, causing the leak
- This caused some minor damage to the lower crankcase, but is repairable and will not cause any further issues. They also found a hairline crack in the lower crankcase where the oil pump shaft goes through - he is not too happy about it, but it is not possible to source just the lower crankcase from MB. He will be repairing the hairline crack and is confident that the repair will stop any further damage.
- The last, and most alarming find, was that one of the crank bearings moved a little bit (again poor initial repair), they fixed the issue, the crank has no damage.
- As much as this experience has sucked, I feel better that they found the bearing issue, that could have been catastrophic!
- They are waiting on 2 bolts for the bearing caps as they are one use only and apparently tough to find in this country; they should be there tomorrow and they will start the rebuild process.
#13
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My car is getting the same warranty work done. My local MB dealer quoted it at 32 hours of labor and the engine indeed does need to come out to fix it, but ill have my car back this week! ~$8700 of warranty work covered in one trip makes me glad I bought the aftermarket warranty.
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Great pics, thanks. P31 motor too? You’d think they would have been built to even higher tolerances.
Last edited by BLKROKT; 05-02-2018 at 04:24 PM.
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#23
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I picked up the car today - ran fine on the way home (about 40 miles).
Whoever did the previous repair, reused all of the original stretch bolts . That, plus reinstalling the dowels wrong caused the leak and the bearing to start to spin.
Will post in more detail, just catching up on work.
Whoever did the previous repair, reused all of the original stretch bolts . That, plus reinstalling the dowels wrong caused the leak and the bearing to start to spin.
Will post in more detail, just catching up on work.
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Although the mains pic isn't entirely conclusive, they don't look all that bad to me....
What was the thing that made the tech say the mains were showing to spin or showing signs of wear?
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