Oil Migration/ Expensive Repairs in 2014 GL 500
12-04-2020, 02:34 PM
#1
Oil Migration/ Expensive Repairs in 2014 GL 500
Hi MB Experts!
Single Mom hoping for some help-- I have a 2014 GL 550 (about 90,000 miles) and a few months ago the engine light would not go off. I had 2 sensors replaced hoping that would be the fix but no luck. Finally the dealer told me it was oil that was getting into the harness and that this issue would continue to damage the "electronic brain" of the car. Repair is around $7k. While the manager of the Oakland dealership called MB corporate to find out if this repair could be covered as an engine flaw, the water pump went out (I was getting a "check coolant" error code but took it to the dealer for quick check of the fluid and it was fine) this second repair is $4,400.
Note: I feel strongly that the waterpump issue would have been diagnosed and repaired for less $ if the engine light from the oil migration issue had not been happening. I've also had the Mercedes Repair guy and another independent mechanic say this oil migration issue is an engine flaw.
The Mercedes service manager said if my car didn't have so many miles on it, maybe they would have covered the repair-- huh?? A flaw is a flaw right? Also, during a 2019 service at the dealer, "oil in the engine" was noted but no follow up or repair was recommended. at that time it probably had about 70,000 miles on it.
I tried calling MB advocate group directly as my family has spent a ton of $$ with Mercedes in the last 10 yrs, but after jerking me around for 2 weeks they said they will not cover the cost of repairs.
So, this they want me to spend $11,400 to repair something that may not fix the actual cause of the problem (oil leaking to places it should not be getting into...) All I hear is that they can give me a credit to trade it in (which I don't want) Side note-- a sales guy called me and said I should trade it in asap because it was only worth $1,000 (seriously??!!)
Please help!
Single Mom hoping for some help-- I have a 2014 GL 550 (about 90,000 miles) and a few months ago the engine light would not go off. I had 2 sensors replaced hoping that would be the fix but no luck. Finally the dealer told me it was oil that was getting into the harness and that this issue would continue to damage the "electronic brain" of the car. Repair is around $7k. While the manager of the Oakland dealership called MB corporate to find out if this repair could be covered as an engine flaw, the water pump went out (I was getting a "check coolant" error code but took it to the dealer for quick check of the fluid and it was fine) this second repair is $4,400.
Note: I feel strongly that the waterpump issue would have been diagnosed and repaired for less $ if the engine light from the oil migration issue had not been happening. I've also had the Mercedes Repair guy and another independent mechanic say this oil migration issue is an engine flaw.
The Mercedes service manager said if my car didn't have so many miles on it, maybe they would have covered the repair-- huh?? A flaw is a flaw right? Also, during a 2019 service at the dealer, "oil in the engine" was noted but no follow up or repair was recommended. at that time it probably had about 70,000 miles on it.
I tried calling MB advocate group directly as my family has spent a ton of $$ with Mercedes in the last 10 yrs, but after jerking me around for 2 weeks they said they will not cover the cost of repairs.
So, this they want me to spend $11,400 to repair something that may not fix the actual cause of the problem (oil leaking to places it should not be getting into...) All I hear is that they can give me a credit to trade it in (which I don't want) Side note-- a sales guy called me and said I should trade it in asap because it was only worth $1,000 (seriously??!!)
Please help!
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chassis (12-04-2020)
12-04-2020, 04:26 PM
#2
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2017 GLE350 4MATIC
Hi MB Experts!
Single Mom hoping for some help-- I have a 2014 GL 550 (about 90,000 miles) and a few months ago the engine light would not go off. I had 2 sensors replaced hoping that would be the fix but no luck. Finally the dealer told me it was oil that was getting into the harness and that this issue would continue to damage the "electronic brain" of the car. Repair is around $7k. While the manager of the Oakland dealership called MB corporate to find out if this repair could be covered as an engine flaw, the water pump went out (I was getting a "check coolant" error code but took it to the dealer for quick check of the fluid and it was fine) this second repair is $4,400.
Note: I feel strongly that the waterpump issue would have been diagnosed and repaired for less $ if the engine light from the oil migration issue had not been happening. I've also had the Mercedes Repair guy and another independent mechanic say this oil migration issue is an engine flaw.
The Mercedes service manager said if my car didn't have so many miles on it, maybe they would have covered the repair-- huh?? A flaw is a flaw right? Also, during a 2019 service at the dealer, "oil in the engine" was noted but no follow up or repair was recommended. at that time it probably had about 70,000 miles on it.
I tried calling MB advocate group directly as my family has spent a ton of $$ with Mercedes in the last 10 yrs, but after jerking me around for 2 weeks they said they will not cover the cost of repairs.
So, this they want me to spend $11,400 to repair something that may not fix the actual cause of the problem (oil leaking to places it should not be getting into...) All I hear is that they can give me a credit to trade it in (which I don't want) Side note-- a sales guy called me and said I should trade it in asap because it was only worth $1,000 (seriously??!!)
Please help!
Single Mom hoping for some help-- I have a 2014 GL 550 (about 90,000 miles) and a few months ago the engine light would not go off. I had 2 sensors replaced hoping that would be the fix but no luck. Finally the dealer told me it was oil that was getting into the harness and that this issue would continue to damage the "electronic brain" of the car. Repair is around $7k. While the manager of the Oakland dealership called MB corporate to find out if this repair could be covered as an engine flaw, the water pump went out (I was getting a "check coolant" error code but took it to the dealer for quick check of the fluid and it was fine) this second repair is $4,400.
Note: I feel strongly that the waterpump issue would have been diagnosed and repaired for less $ if the engine light from the oil migration issue had not been happening. I've also had the Mercedes Repair guy and another independent mechanic say this oil migration issue is an engine flaw.
The Mercedes service manager said if my car didn't have so many miles on it, maybe they would have covered the repair-- huh?? A flaw is a flaw right? Also, during a 2019 service at the dealer, "oil in the engine" was noted but no follow up or repair was recommended. at that time it probably had about 70,000 miles on it.
I tried calling MB advocate group directly as my family has spent a ton of $$ with Mercedes in the last 10 yrs, but after jerking me around for 2 weeks they said they will not cover the cost of repairs.
So, this they want me to spend $11,400 to repair something that may not fix the actual cause of the problem (oil leaking to places it should not be getting into...) All I hear is that they can give me a credit to trade it in (which I don't want) Side note-- a sales guy called me and said I should trade it in asap because it was only worth $1,000 (seriously??!!)
Please help!
Your options are to do the repairs yourself, pay an independent repair shop, pay a Mercedes dealer, or live with the situation until the car is undriveable. Water leak repairs aren't too bad if you are experienced at car repair. The oil wicking situation can be corrected if caught early enough.
12-04-2020, 08:12 PM
#3
Without knowing the exact issue it's hard to offer any advice, but from what you said it sounds like a common issue with this car - camshaft position sensors leaking oil into the wiring harness. If that is the case, most likely you'll be able to just replace the sensors and clean the harness contacts with a degreaser. Any independent mechanic should be able to do this for a few hundred dollars of not less.
Dealer is probably quoting the whole piece of harness replacement, which is expensive, but probably not necessary.
Take a look at this thread - it has some info and pictures of the location of the sensors:
https://mbworld.org/forums/gl-class-...e-harness.html
Dealer is probably quoting the whole piece of harness replacement, which is expensive, but probably not necessary.
Take a look at this thread - it has some info and pictures of the location of the sensors:
https://mbworld.org/forums/gl-class-...e-harness.html
Last edited by mtm; 12-04-2020 at 08:14 PM.
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chassis (12-04-2020)
12-05-2020, 11:38 PM
#4
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2014 GL450, 1992 W140 300SD, 1993 W140 300SE, 1987 E30 Convertible
I would ignore "oil in harness" bs. Find some non-dealership mercedes service shop (not dealers) who can provide you with detailed Xentry (diagnostic) scan and post it here. Check engine might be something else. That is common rip off dealership procedure.
Water pump can be changed for much cheaper if you look around. Also you can buy aftermarket part from eBay if you can't afford original MB part.
Water pump can be changed for much cheaper if you look around. Also you can buy aftermarket part from eBay if you can't afford original MB part.
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chassis (12-06-2020),
OnlyGerman (12-07-2020)
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chassis (12-08-2020)
12-08-2020, 10:58 AM
#6
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2017 GLE350 4MATIC
12-09-2020, 07:23 PM
#7
Senior Member
I had the oil in the engine wiring harness issue on my 2015 GL63 AMG. Repaired at independent mechanic with Zurich extended warranty for a little over $4k. The car was undrivable once the issue presented itself in my situation. Prior to then, it was completely trouble free.
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12-14-2020, 11:38 AM
#8
Super Member
I had the oil in the engine wiring harness issue on my 2015 GL63 AMG. Repaired at independent mechanic with Zurich extended warranty for a little over $4k. The car was undrivable once the issue presented itself in my situation. Prior to then, it was completely trouble free.
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SndsoftheSbrbs (12-14-2020)
12-14-2020, 11:43 AM
#10
Senior Member
@SndsoftheSbrbs Mind posting your repair order/receipt? Or at least what they repaired? I think it'll be good to have them in one place. Here is mine:
