Preventative maintenance
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W209 2007 CLK63 AMG cabriolet
Preventative maintenance
Hi I am curious and a little nervous about my 2007 clk63 because it’s at about 55k miles and in good condition but from everything I’ve heard and read that around 80-100k miles camshafts need to be replaced, lifters, and other major parts are going to fail and it’s inevitable or at least that’s how people make it sound. I’m wondering if this is really the case and if there’s anything I can do to avoid this. I’ve read that the suggested maintenance every 10k miles from Mercedes is the reason why this happens and if that is the case than when would be best time to do oil changes and what not.
Also thought I’d mention that the intake manifold was replaced about a year ago and I believe the headbolts were replaced by a Mercedes service center, and the whole rest of the car was looked over by them as well and they said everything looked good so I’m hoping the damage isn’t already done but any feedback would be much appreciated thank you.
Also thought I’d mention that the intake manifold was replaced about a year ago and I believe the headbolts were replaced by a Mercedes service center, and the whole rest of the car was looked over by them as well and they said everything looked good so I’m hoping the damage isn’t already done but any feedback would be much appreciated thank you.
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Joined: Jan 2026
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I am somewhat new to the Mercedes world but I think one issue with the camshafts having issues is oil is "sucked up" by some magnetic force. One can purchase some extenders to prevent this or I think I read change the PVC valve at around 50,000 miles is a good idea.
Please anyone correct me.
Please anyone correct me.
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07 CLS550
I run a European auto shop and have owned m156 cars. 5k service intervals are huge. I do not recommend 10k oil changes on any car. The big issues on this engine are the head bolts, cam adjusters, lifter tick, and intake flaps.
The head bolt issue sucks because I've seen cars do 200k on original style head bolts but I've heard of cars woth as low as 30k have failure and ruin engines. I personally think this issue is overblown. (Please put the pitchforks down) in all my time with these cars I've never had one come in with failure. Keep fresh coolant in the car. It supposedly helps.
the cam adjusters suck! If you start to get a rattle at start up it's time to do them. There's a way to test them once the valve cover is removed. It's typically only one or two that fail but spend the extra money and do all 4. No sense in paying all that labor again when the rest inevitably fail. There is some overlapping labor here with the head bolts so if your pockets are deep maybe address them now but I didn't change mine when my adjusters failed and drove the car thousands of miles after without issue.
Those are the big ones that will prevent you from driving. the rest of the stuff on that engine is no different than any other car. They are actually pretty damn reliable as long as you don't buy a CL63 like I did and are plagued with ABC problems.
The head bolt issue sucks because I've seen cars do 200k on original style head bolts but I've heard of cars woth as low as 30k have failure and ruin engines. I personally think this issue is overblown. (Please put the pitchforks down) in all my time with these cars I've never had one come in with failure. Keep fresh coolant in the car. It supposedly helps.
the cam adjusters suck! If you start to get a rattle at start up it's time to do them. There's a way to test them once the valve cover is removed. It's typically only one or two that fail but spend the extra money and do all 4. No sense in paying all that labor again when the rest inevitably fail. There is some overlapping labor here with the head bolts so if your pockets are deep maybe address them now but I didn't change mine when my adjusters failed and drove the car thousands of miles after without issue.
Those are the big ones that will prevent you from driving. the rest of the stuff on that engine is no different than any other car. They are actually pretty damn reliable as long as you don't buy a CL63 like I did and are plagued with ABC problems.
