non

Hello!
I've just had my Alternator & Oil replaced for my 2009 C63 - nothing out of the ordinary but when I went to pick it up two days ago the first start I got a Check Engine Light, and scanner shows Misfires on Cylinders 1,2,5 & Multiple/Random Misfire. [CEL Codes P0301, P0302, P0305 & P0300]
I left it down to the coils being bad, and drove it back home. However, yesterday, I went to go do an errand and the Misfire & CEL were gone, so I didn't think much of it. However, I just tried driving it today and I got a "Check Coolant Level" warning. (still no CEL)
It's been raining, and I don't have a garage, so I couldn't tell if I was leaking coolant or not, and I am starting to suspect the early signs of head bolt failure.

So I am wondering:
1) Are my head bolts going, or is it just the weather?
2) If so, how much would it cost in labor to get them replaced, as I'm struggling to find a recent estimate.
3) If so, can I keep driving it or do I run a massive risk of grenading everything?

Note : I tried to contact MB Canada & US about service history, but MB Canada refuses to give me any information outside of "work on the Cylinder" back in 2011, and MB USA has no access to the Canadian records. I assumed this was when the service bulletin was still active, and assumed the bolts were done ... probably a bad idea. I also have a third party warranty, but I doubt they'll cover head bolt replacement.

Thanks in advance!

BLKROKT

Stop driving

Crya

iTrader: (1)

When I was researching doing mine a few reputable places were around $3,000-$3,500 range. And here in the states I had no trouble getting actual redacted service records from when my bolts were done under warranty. So there’s a win for Team USA. Good luck.

non

Noted!
$3000-$3500 USD for labor alone? How many hours would that equate to? Also, yeah, I've heard in the US they're quite friendly but I'm getting the "privacy" runaround even though I said I'd be fine with almost complete redaction or just telling me what was done to the car verbally. The only way I got them to tell me "cylinder work" was only because the rep's tongue slipped over the phone.

princemarko

A good Indy shop can change them out for far less by changing them one at a time. Takes precision but can be done in place

G_Money

There is an internal service history that MB keeps on cars, but I can't for the life of me remember what it's called, but that would give you a very clear history of the car

MB doesn't give it out because it contains personal info of previous owners. However most dealerships will let you look it over so you can get that good history. Call the dealer!


ETA: VMI. It's called a VMI, Vehicle Master Inquiry. Go to the dealer and see if there's any way you could take a look or have them read it if to ya.

And yeah stop driving the car wtf! Why would you keep driving it!?

non

What would be the difference in pricing, and I would assume that would mean just more downtime? Also, wouldn't the integrity of the head gaskets be compromised by now ((if)) coolant was seeping into the cylinder? I'm not too technically aware so sorry for the questions.

non

Yes, a VMI was what I was referring to, I just forgot the name so replaced it with "service records". MB Canada has refused to relay anything back, and as mentioned, the best I could get them to tell me was "cylinder work in 2011" over the phone when I was doing some digging after I bought the car, and [probably] falsely assumed that meant the bolts were done. I'm going to give a few more calls to MB in the morning and drop by later in the afternoon today if I can't get them to tell me if that work involved was related to the head bolts over the phone.

Jasonoff

In this case the HG is already compromised and this is no longer an option.

Heads need to be removed.

non

Got it, that's gonna be a punch to the wallet lol

I have another concern - can I let the car sit without turning it on for a while or should I try to get the repair done ASAP?

EMTHED

I also have a 09.. be prepared for replacing the cams and lifters! Find a indy shop to do the job. Dealer will rap you dry!! Have your motor sin# researched and they can tell you if yours has the soft cams/lifters.. indy shop I found will do the HBs for $1600 includes coolant and oil.. my quote was cams are $600 each X4 plus lifters extra...

Jasonoff

If they yanked the heads for that price. It's either a steal, or they cut some major corners...

EMTHED

1600 was for bolts only, again motor sin# will tell them what gaskets, cams etc are In your car.. and are all extras