boomermania

I was driving my 2006 E350 last night when the "check engine" light came on. (I had the car for 3 months with no issues.) When I stopped at the next light, it started it idel rough, then it went into "limp" mode. I turned into a parking lot and let it set overnight. Next day I tried to start it. Same thing...."check engine" light on, rough idle, limp mode. So I drove it, slow, to my mercedes mechanic.

I just got a call, saying there is a mis-fire code in the passenger side bank on all three cylinders. ( 1,2 and 3). When they did a compression check, they found no compression on cylinder 3. They are not sure what the problem is yet, but they will call me back when they know.

Has anyone had a similar issue?

MBNUT1

No. That's pretty wild actually. Let us know what they determine the cause of the loss of compression is.

boomermania

Will do. They're pulling the head tomorrow. Should have some disposition later in the afternoon, hopefully.

Quadcammer

I hope to god you have a warranty because this will be ugly.

100% compression loss requires bent valves or holes in pistons.

MBNUT1

Even if you are out of warranty given that you have an 06 I wouldn't expect it to be very far out and Mercedes better damn well do a lot of good will for you.
I assume that is who is pulling the head.

K-A

Yikes! That sucks. I hope this isn't a sign of what's to come for the 3.5 V6's, as they're still too new to see how long-term reliability will be (perhaps German Taxi's have already proved that they pass the test though).

Please say you have a Warranty? For an M-B especially, this is not gonna be a cheap problem.

Diesel Benz

German taxi drivers do not test these engines.

Kar don

yup diesel baby!

boomermania

I have a broken valve spring on cyl 3. And no, I don't have an extended warranty, damn it. The car only has 46K on it, but it was put into service 11-1-05, so its out of warranty by 2 months!

I called MBUSA to see if they would step up to the plate and take care of this for me. My contact said he'd write it up and get back to me by this afternoon.

The problem I have is that my car is at a non-MB shop. (Didn't want to drive the car cross town in limp mode.) The tecks are MB certified, but MBUSA said they'd have to do the work if they agreed to pick up the cost. Problem is, I've racked up over $1,000 at the shop already. If MB covers this work, they will have to box up the parts and tow it to the MB shop.

Holding my breath, got my fingers crossed, saying my prayers and I'm breaking out the holy water.

007_e350

WHAT ... so the valve must be hanging inside the cylinder --being thrown up by the piston everytime it comes up top.. could've damaged piston top, probably camshaft too .. man the engine never performs/ sounds like original even after you replace every damaged component, just one of those 'factory fitted' things, a friend rebuilt toyota engine and could never get one of the rattles out ... sorry to hear this mate, I hope u'll get it all back but get on their *ss and u're better off changing out probably all valve springs atleast ... its a SHAME on mecedes

MBNUT1

Honestly you should have either driven it to Mercedes or had it towed.
I expect that you will be out your $1000 but hopefully Mercedes will pick up the rest of the tab. They surely ought to. If they were going to be really decent they would pay the shop that took it apart what their cost for disassembly would have been.

sosh

Its unlikely that nthey will do anything or reimburse anything if the car is at a non dealer. You most likely take a hit for what has been done so far. Get it towed and be certain all the parts are with it to a dealer ASAP.

Kar don

Go talk to Charlene at MB Cincinnati, she's great.

boomermania

Well, I final closed the book on this issue. Bottom line, I had a broken intake valve spring on my #3 cylinder. No damage to the piston or cylinder wall. (Extremely lucky there!!!) The reason there was no damage was because the spring collapsed in on itself, basically shortening the spring just slightly. I've got the spring. Weirdest thing I've seen in a while.

I did have my car towed to my local MB dealer to do the work. They agreed to cover $1,000 of the cost. (Total cost would have been $2,145.00. I paid $1,145.00) They didn't have to remove the head. Evidently they have a special MB tool that they used. I've put about 1,200 miles on her since then. Runs Great!!!

Thanks to all for your comments and well wishes....

Diesel Benz

Perhaps you could post a photo from that spring? You were both unlucky and lucky with the car, $1145 does not sound bad when it could have been a lot more. And thanks for reporting.