StevethePilot

Why does it seem that every time I turn around, something else has gone wrong with my GL320? Okay, it's a first-model-year, but this is an engine/transmission that has been around for longer than the US GL320!

Yesterday I noticed a couple of odd shifts. Last night any time it went over 3000rpm, it bucked like a donkey, when in and out of gear, and then shifted. It did this twice before going gutless (with no Check Engine light). The oil was a little low but no check oil indication and no temperature problems. Further, in neutral it would produce full RPMs (5K) with a steady rev limiter hold and no variation. Nothing is dripping out of the bottom that I can see, no weird noises, no indicators, everything looks hooked up.

Today I dropped my daughter off (she's right near the dealership) and took it in, in gutless mode. My SA sat in the car, took it down the road, and put his foot down. It went to full RPMs, shifted normally, got a check engine light and went to the gutless mode again.

I look forward to hearing from them but a) does anyone else have ideas of what might cause this (less expensive ideas get higher points) and b) should I really, really be having this much trouble with a $60,000 German diesel SUV, first model year or not? (I guess that second question's for Karesh, huh? )

ST(former)P

43221B

Maybe your GL found out you were talking bad about it on another thread??

scottybdiving

Don't feel bad Steve. Yesterday in our monster 1"-2" snowstorm, I switched my Duramax to 4WD .......... nothing. A "4WD needs service" message came up. I called the dealer, and since everybody was "snowed in" he got me in immediately. They said "the transfer case lost it's programming, and had to re-learn it". Nothing wrong with anything mechanical, just programming. Glad I wasn't buried up to the axles in mud on one of my jobs.

StevethePilot

Turbocharger, valve and vanes, nipples in the vertical position. $3700 to replace it, as it's all one part. (That's ~$3300-$3400 for the part alone.)

I have a call in to MBUSA. Checking today, I spent nearly as much (with the dealership help) on service last year as I did on the loan. I don't care who you are, that's not right.

I hope to hear back from them before tomorrow afternoon.

Max Blast

How many miles?

StevethePilot

84,000. But keep in mind this is a first-model-year 2007. Not that that's an excuse but --- let's just see what happens with MBUSA.

mandkole

Are the vanes just stuck? Can't the assembly be cleaned up and freed (although that would hardly be the MB way..)? On the 6.0 powerstroke, guys dealt with that as well but they just clean them up. Damn VGTs...

Keep us tuned in--

2thdr

Are you telling me that this is not being covered under warranty for you?

lkchris

Warranty is 50K miles.

lkchris

Mercedes has an official catalog of REBUILT parts and it looks like your turbo is in there. Have them check and maybe let us know the price difference between new and rebuilt.

http://www.startekinfo.com/StarTek/o...tedDocId=11039

JimBarnhart

ouch STP.

knock on wood, but I'm at 58,000 miles with practically zero issues. I had one gasket start dripping a little oil, that's it. Mine was built in Feb 2007.

StevethePilot

A) Yeah, the warranty is 50K miles and that's when the real trouble started, and B) the things I could find in the catalog for GL320 CDI were Alternator, Amplifier, CD Changer, Command unit (*Not COMAND*), Rear Display, Engine ECU, Engine - Diesel (duh), and that's it, no turbo. But thank you very much for trying to help, I appreciate it!

43221B

So what you're saying is that I should purchase an extended warranty??

If you're willing to take it to an independent shop, Prime Parts Superstore has your new turbocharger for $2296.00.

http://www.primepartssuperstore.com/...?siteid=215236

StevethePilot

If you plan on keeping it beyond the factory warranty, yes. And be absolutely sure of the exclusions.

At this point that's not doing better than they're doing for me. So far. But again, amazing the amount of help I'm getting! Thank you very much!