57_300SLR

I recently purchased a 2013 GL350 Bluetec (driven it less than 3000 miles and just made my first payment on it). I took it to the dealership last week to have the timing chain replaced as I was getting the infamous startup chain clatter. After picking it up and driving less than 3 miles from the dealership, the engine seized. There were no codes thrown, the engine just stopped. Now the crank will not turn and there appears to be brass shavings in the oil pan. Early indications from the service department is that it spun a bearing or something occurred in the bottom end. If it does require a new engine, I could be looking at somewhere between $15,000 and $20,000 out-of-pocket.

The car has 84,000 miles on it and is heavily optioned. Other than the seized motor the vehicle is in perfect condition. I am now trying to figure out what to do with the vehicle as there is a big question as to whether it is going to be covered under warranty or if the replacement engine is going to be out of pocket. Needless to say this is not a great way to start off the week. Worst case scenario, I am looking at having to sell it "as is" with the seized motor to recoup what I can out of the vehicle. My question is, what would I be able to get for the car as it sits? I'm interested in people's thoughts regarding repair or sell.

Thanks in advance.

Todd

nookie

Sounds like dealer issue.....

57_300SLR

I certainly hope so!!! Service writer indicated it wasn't but the parts manager is going to bat for me with MBNA. Keeping my fingers crosses.

Mike450

If there is any kind of warranty on it, as you mention, why would they not cover a seized engine?

And holy smoke, a seized/warrantied/replaced 350 diesel sounds like an almost weekly occurrence on this forum.

Best of luck to you. Keep us posted.

fabbrisd1

In this case - if it was me - with a copy of the service invoice - I would call Mercedes Customer Care - mornings are best (800) 367-6372 - and give them the "facts" of the documented repair and your breakdown.

You have not clearly stated what service was performed - if the dealer replaced the timing chain - yes the dealer will be "on the hook" if you have Mercedes looking over their shoulder which is the result of a "factual" call to Customer Care and from that call Customer Care will open a case/give you case #.

In this case - the dealer is responsible for the engine repair/replacement - and replacement will need to be confirmed after top end breakdown - heads coming off for photos/inspection.

If the timing chain was not replaced at that service - and no other major mechanical service was done - let's say they "diagnosed" - then yes - another kettle of fish which won't be as hopeful for you.

In the different-not-as-secure kettle - yes - some "goodwill" from dealer and/or from MB can reduce the replacement a "bit" - but since this is such a extensive job - reducing a "bit" will not dent the substantial total cost a whole bunch.

Keep the beat !

57_300SLR

To clarify, the repair included replacing the timing chain and the hydraulic chain tensioner. There is no warranty on the vehicle other than a possible warranty on the repair. So far the dealership and MBNA have offered to replace the engine with a new one that would carry a 4 yr/50k mile warranty. They would cover about 65% of the total cost. This would still, however, be a significant out-of-pocket expense to me (high 4 figure instead of 5 figure) based on full retail cost to replace. I'm not done yet.

Todd

fabbrisd1

The dealer service dept screwed-the-pooch... the dealer is 100% responsible for the engine replacement... Mercedes will give the dealer a "break" on the engine cost... the way it lays now the dealer - in essence - for you to pay for the engine which is your loss - and the dealer does the labor as his loss - the warranty comes with the engine for free - the dealer should pay for the whole dang thing - the dealer doesn't like that - it's real dollars to them too - it's a technical job - including special MB tool's - and the dealer fracked it up - not you

57_300SLR

Ok, so to update my saga, the dealership pulled the motor and found the #1 main bearing had spun. After doing a little more investigation, I found that the vehicle had been driven four miles by the dealership after the service (according to the in/out mileage on the repair invoice). So, the total mileage covered after the timing belt had been replaced was about seven miles. At this point the dealership is saying that the spun bearing has nothing to do with the timing chain service and that they are not responsible. I am currently trying to find out if this is true or if there is any information available to support causality between the service and the failure. Any thoughts or information would be greatly appreciated.

Todd

Mike450

Was an oil change performed at the timing chain service call?

57_300SLR

No, the dealer fed the timing chain through the engine without changing the oil. I was present when they drained the oil so I know it was not changed (I had purchased new oil and filter to do an oil change once I got it home). Also, when they did pull both oil pans, there was no evidence of sludge.

Todd

tonylop33

What was the final resolution?

robalo220

Any updates?
Thanks

KrustyKustom

How much you want for the "rolling chassis"?

Jorge Garcia

I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but I have been in this boat for the past 8 months, The Indy that has my GL350 is very knowledgeable on thse engines, and he had replaced 4K worth of parts on my car before the same thing happened, I have been searching for a used engine and have not found anything worth taking the risk of the exchange, these engines have a very soft metal crank and their achilles heel is the first bearing, I have talked to dozens of independents and none will touch it, they wont because the odds of it lasting any longer with a used crank is low due to the tolerances these engines come with and all this is history at the mileage your talking about, if this is true or not is chinese to me, but it seems to be the same story everywhere I call, all the luck in the world but in my opinion I would count my losses and run from it, the deal with these engines is the amount of miles Mercedes recommends you change the oil is a joke, and they build up sludge due to this and one fine day when someone touches it and this sludge falls into the oil pan, or injectors leak down and into oil pan and loosen the sludge, the rest is history, this same engine is used in sprinters and yet they recommend the oil change interval considerably less mileage, wonder why???? I went with a gl550 twin turbo and am very happy so far with it, have 70K miles on it and oil looks like olive oil and engine has not asked me for a dime other than maintenance items and oil changes.

arsupisemnet

I am sorry but your indy don't know a siht about engines. Bluetec 350 has OM642 motor. There are plenty of oversize (first, second repair) bearings and pistons... It would not take much of the effort to rebuild the engine....

Jorge Garcia

Yep, that's what I thought at first, until I called half a dozen other shops all over the state of florida, and pretty much got the same or similar response, a few were very intricate on their response, so since you so bluntly put down my mechanic I will tell you what others implied, one was adamant that the parts available are poor quality and no better than the ones that failed before the engine hit 100K, so why would you want to throw that kind of money at an engine that clearly will not hold up after an overhaul, its not like we own the only ones, its happening left and right, then another explained that once that front bearing tears into the aluminum block it is more expensive to repair than getting a new block, again, and exorbitant amount of money for a motor that clearly is not holding up, its your money, burn it as you wish, I moved on to a 4.6 gas that puts that OM642 to shame and has been around for ages with a great track record, I too thought that the diesel problems were related to people not providing proper maintenance and put my money were my thoughts were, and here I am, wishing I would have never done it, that being said if anyone wants to buy this brand new looking SUV with a seized engine cheap, and thinks my Indy is an Idiot, hit me up at 216 978 7053 or at jmg_group@hotmail.com for detailed pictures, Lets make a deal!

arsupisemnet

500 dollars junk yard project from 2009 with OM642. 200k+ miles, still running on original engine, no knocking noises or so ever. I guess it is always a matter of people....

arsupisemnet

I will be honest to you. Reason these people gave you go around is a complexity of the work. For all the time spend they will make more money by changing oil and rotating tires....

Jorge Garcia

This might look like the same engine, ITS NOT!!!!! I now know you have no idea what your talking about, please do your homework as I did before you steer some poor fool into throwing his money away. if this was the same engine I would have fixed my car 20 times over, these are plentiful in the used auto parts yards and are 3000.00 or less, the GL engine 2010 and up has more torque, has a different drivers side camshaft, different intakes and oil pans, it will not fit, the one that failed for this gentleman can not be purchased for less than 5K with more than 100K miles and are in the market for upwards of 9K dollars, there are many OM642s, and this one pictured are all around and still chugging along with 300K miles and above, congrats on your junkyard find, enjoy it, this is the last post I am going to post, if you think the GL350 2010 and above is so great, knock yourself out, throw your money away and keep fixing the one you have or buy another one, the 2008 and below is a far better engine wise SUV, and the GL320 is also a decent SUV, in 2010, the **** hit the fan DO YOUR HOMEWORK BEFORE YOU BADMOUTH PEOPLE THAT FIX THESE CARS FOR A LIVING!!

arsupisemnet

Chill out dude... I rebuild cars for fun...
Obviously better than your indies.....

arsupisemnet

Couldn't your mechanic swap oil pans and camshafts? Man, I swapped cylinder heads on my M278 from different class...
There is a thing about MB - conveyor production... You can swap thing around easy... Of course if you know...

Jorge Garcia

There's where I can tell you my mechanic is a *****, the junk yards that have the older engines with the lower torque and better rap sheets have advised me that they will not warranty the engine if this is done, but that they sell to shops that do it all the time, My idea was to do this and have the ECM flashed to eliminate the DEF, and I would have been a happy camper, if I could find a mechanic willing to do it, It would be a done deal, my mechanic chicken out. I actually logged into this site as I write to see if I can find somone that could recomend me a mechanic close to central florida willing to do it. All the ones I talked to so far have said they wont get involved, but you are right, other than tha cylinder head, intake, and injectors, these engines are icentical from 08 to 2012 in the GL class, but much older in the E class. theres one on ebay with 80K miles off an E class for 3K dollars.