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Something similar happened to my 2015 GL550 at around 70,000 miles. Check Engine Light came on and after lots of searching they said the engine needed cylinder head replacement. Thankfully I had the extended warranty - it took about 3 weeks to do the job, and wow did they replace a lot of parts. If I remember right the cost for the engine rebuild would have been around $15,000, but the warranty paid for it all.
Would you mind posting the names of the Porsche shop and machine shop in NJ? I'm also in NJ and now seriously considering buying a 2015 GL550 and while I'm hoping to avoid needing the resource, having this information is helpful to all of us in the area.
Only bolts i installed new ones are attaching cylinder head to engine block. Used old ones for the rest of them. Gaskets are pricey since the all MLS type.
Time to give back with some on my experience, after having read this post which helped me push the dealer into the right direction after being told: never heard of this problem before.. My 2013 GL500 (Europe) had some of the symptoms described in this post: shaking at idle, once stalling at traffic light, hard shifting. Diagnosis: worn valve guides on left head, 2 cracked valves, and torque converter to be replaced. They did a smoke pressure test on the heads which leaks smoke into the exhaust after doing a digital pressure test via StarDiagnose. Due to severely worn cylinder walls (scoring in English?) recommendation of MB is a new engine. Plus new torque converter. At 140k kilometers. Actually it is a brand new basic engine without Turbos, alternator etc, so they retain parts easily switchable over from the old engine. Plus a needed repair of the oil pump of the active curve system due to leaking, and lower control arm bushings worn.
I have the MB Germany renewable warranty called MB100, covering 100% labor and between 100% and 40% parts depending on mileage. At 138k km 60% parts are covered.
So with MB officially contributing 50% to the entire bill, I paid EUR 7,000 for complete new engine, torque converter, aux. oil pump and control arm bushings (1,000 alone for just bushings repair, this one not covered at all...). Took 3 weeks from first trip to dealer to pickup.
So if you do the math, entire repair bill was around EUR 35k. So don’t buy one of these beasts without some sort of coverage. And if you experience this problem, try to find the AMG expert in the building, especially in Europe these cars are way too rare, and I would guess most of the higher mileage cars are written off and sold eastwards due to the prohibitive repair costs.
Car runs well now but I feel the right rear shock absorber will go out soon (not the air spring, just the absorber) which I’m quoted at 1250 to repair per side... Still... love the car!
I had a dealer scope the engine that was pulled from GL 450 last year. They were looking at buying it, they need a lower block for their customer. Sounds likes a similar issue cylinder 5 and 7. My cylinders were scored, but the cylinder heads are good. This mechanic was actually helpful, knowledgeable. Too bad their service advisers are the ones facing the customers. got some good advice about replacing the attachments for the wiring harness that wicks oils into the wiring.
So, knowing my block is bad, i can sell my turbos, heads and accessories. Maybe make a table out of the block.
Update on my issue. After the warranty denied the claim I started working on a plan that would reduce my out of pocket cost from 12k to 7k or so by reducing the cost of a new head and valves. So I got the head washed off and valves cleaned up and lapped nicely. The head was put back in the car and dealer calls me couple days after saying problem fixed, no more smoke. I take the car home for the weekend and head out to play with some friends... First WOT and I see blue smoke again on deceleration. That was yesterday and now I’m thinking what’s next. I bought a boroscope so I can look in the 2 cylinders fixed for burnt oil. Assuming it is still leaking in those two cylinders and the problem was not the valve stem seals which got me denied, but instead is the guides or valves which are covered. Do I have any grounds to ask for a refund of the 7k they made me waste and also a 100% repair?
Yes, GL63 has the M157. It's still under warranty so it is being covered and I'm very glad I purchased the extended warranty. I'd bet it would be a $10k+ job if I hadn't since it requires a new head and who knows what else they will uncover once they are in there.
Yes, GL63 has the M157. It's still under warranty so it is being covered and I'm very glad I purchased the extended warranty. I'd bet it would be a $10k+ job if I hadn't since it requires a new head and who knows what else they will uncover once they are in there.
Engine out service - you should consider putting in Weistec W3 turbos or Pure Turbos.... Saves you $5,000 in labor costs.
Does this issue potentially affect 2017-2019 gls63 engines as well?
Not sure why it wouldn't since MB is very consistent. Typically if there are issues with one there will be issues with all/most until resolved. Not sure they did anything to fix.
I also am joining this group. 68K, getting intermittent CEL and "Cylinder 5 misfire" code.
Question for those that have had this issue. Covid has been rough on my finances and this year has been a doozy. I don't have the resources/money to trade in my vehicle or to fix this massive issue due to, well, life.
How long can you safely drive in this, as in the engine won't implode? Days? Months? Years? This wasn't on my 2020 bingo card.
07-06-2020, 11:32 AM
