Rattle and ticking. Also, the car might take multiple 'chugs' to start.

My 2011 R350 BlueTEC is dying. I'm in Illinois and it's so f***ed up. I'm so mad. It was over $70k special order and it's at 92k miles.

 

I've changed the oil every 3-5k miles too as the technical service bulletin and brochure recommended.

 

If you live somewhere where it is difficult to find B5 or less diesel—DON'T buy one. Ethanol Illinois killed my car with this B5-B20 standard.

 

Which TSB are you refering to?

I too have moved to every 5k miles which is basically when mine starts burning oil.

 

I was told that there was a TSB about the oil. I have seen this attached 'brochure.'

 

Based on my experience with a 2013 GL350, I cannot recommend keeping/owning this car out of warranty. I have an apparent catastrophic engine failure at 95k mi, 2 wks out of CPO warranty (you can read about it in my other post). Quote for engine replacement at a dealer is $27k! Used low mile engines cost nearly $10k--IF you can find one and a shop to do the work. In addition to regular maintenance, during the warranty, it has needed turbo inlet seal replaced 2x, oil cooler seal replaced, DEF tank replacement due to heater failure, NOx sensor replacement, transfer case seal replacement, and I'm sure I forgot some other random item. And I drove the car only on long highway trips during my period of ownership.

But yes it has been a very comfortable vehicle--when it is running and not sitting at the dealer.

 

What caused the catastrophic engine failure? I'm approaching that 95k milestone in my 2011 and have gone through similar repairs to yours.

 

 

Dealership service manager did not know the specific cause of "catastrophic failure". He only mentioned that the crankshaft was loose. I asked if he meant that there was excessive play at the main pulley. He replied yes. He stated that they did not open anything up to come to their conclusion. I also asked if he was aware of a Chrysler TSB relating to the OM642 where the front main bearing fails after an oil change. He said he was aware, but wasn't sure if it applied to my car since they did not check into the main bearing. Currently, the car is at the dealership. I will have it towed home and will take a deeper look into what has happened. I do believe that before giving someone a $27k estimate for engine replacement, the dealer should have done a more thorough root cause analysis. My thought is that if this was under warranty, they would have looked very carefully at what caused the failure.

 

Do not pay for a new engine if it needs one. Find a good used engine and get rid of the diesel GL. The OM642 has been plagued with serious issues for quite some time.

 

 

No. They have completely different emissions systems, software, etc. everything.

 

Do you recall at what mileage each part failed? 3 of the 5 issues you had happened to my W164 Bluetec but the engine didn't fail. I sold it at ~120k miles.

 

Where is this Chrysler TSB?

 

Jeep TSB: 09-001-08

 

I don't remember the exact mileages, but I can give a rough estimate

Turbo inlet seal: 75k
Oil cooler seal: ~75k
DEF tank replacement: ~79k
Transfer case output shaft seals: ~85k
NOx sensor replacement: ~95k

 

The turbo inlet seal is that red $25 part right? Mine failed on my 2010 but I bought the Sprinter version as a replacement.

The Oil Cooler and DEF tank (which I replaced in 30 mins myself) failed around the same mileage as yours, in my 2010.

This time around, in my x166, I anticipate the Oil Cooler and DEF to fail again. I should be at the 70k mark just in time for Christmas. .

My NOX was replaced under warranty at 20k miles and 40k miles.

 

Digging up an old one.

178K miles and purring right along. Had the exhaust after treatment done. Bought the GL350 with 96k and have serviced it well. Oil changed every 5k with Rotella T6 5w-40, replaced the transfer case chain due to no fluid (oops)(chain only), trans fluid every 30k’ish, differentials serviced when trans serviced and it’s showing an average fuel economy of 27.2 mpg. Love the car and plan on it running to 300k without any problems.

Now, I travel a 3 state territory and when it cranks up my shortest trip is an hour down the interstate. This week was over 1k miles. I agree, these are not city vehicles.

**3/2023**

Update - Just turned 190k, no problems. Now, the front lower control arm bushings are starting to get stress tears and will be replaced in the next few months but that’s just wear & tear stuff in my book.

**10/2023**
Update - just turned 210k, replaced front end parts struts, ball joints, the works. None of it really needed doing but now I know…… Other than that maintenance, nothing but oil changes @ 5k. Think the motor mounts are done, again maint stuff. Oh yeah, dash display crapped out. Got an eBay unit for ~$100. MUCH better than the $1,700 price from the dealer. Only downside is it does not show the vehicle mileage.

 

**3/17/2025**
sitting at 263K, Has a broken right side exhaust manifold which is getting replaced next week & I replaced the A/C compressor 10-15K miles ago. Still using no oil between oil changes. Needs the transfer case chain changed, again, which I have and will do it in the next month or two (will be #3). .

 

Thank you for the updates, I enjoy reading them. I am 200k miles on a 2012 r350 bluetec. What symptoms do you get when your transfer case chain goes bad? I have never had that happen before.

 

I had 2 exhaust issues the manifold and the down pipe from the Turbo. At the time there were no new downpipes available in the world so I had to find one on ebay. I currently have a oil leak, I hope it's not the oil cooler again. I'm only at 120k or so.

 

You will hear the chain jumping teeth on the gear under hard acceleration especially when turning and mashing on it. I have either read it on a forum or a tech bulletin that the chain should actually be replaced every 60k miles. Not sure if I buy it but I am at ~100k on the second chain that needs replacing. My car is an interstate queen so 60k of more strenuous city driving might be the number especially on the diesels due to the torque they develop.

 

I got my 550 to 197k miles on the original motor

 

What would you estimate you've spent on the car to date for maintenance?

 

🤪