Just got crushing news that my impeccably cared for 2014 GL 450 with 104,000mi "likely suffered a piston bearing failure that resulted in metal scoring one cylinder wall". MB mechanic performed boroscope, he said. Dealership saying total engine replacement needed. This despite buying vehicle new, doing all maintenance by the book at the dealership, OEM parts, etc etc. No warning lights, no low oil, coolant just fine. Dealer shrugging shoulders and is offering $2k toward $38k cost of new engine. MB mechanic basically saying I must have gotten "a bad one". Paid $80k+ for this disaster. Anyone aware of similar problems with this make/model? Am stunned and licking my wounds, pondering next steps. I thought I was paying for precision engineering and long-life when I decided to dig deep for my first MB.

 

Yep, there is an series of threads on this. I'm surprised there has not been a class action lawsuits. I did mine a couple years ago. Got a good motor from a wrecker and found a great shop in NJ to do the labor. Sucks, will never buy another MB.

 

Wow sorry to hear about this. That’s crazy. Maybe if you go to someone that specializes in fixing engines it may be cheaper than going to the dealership. Wish you luck I’m sure it’s not going to be easy

 

Sorry to hear. As already mentioned, there are many examples of this type of engine failure posted on this site. From your description it sounds like the "scuffing" failure.

MBs are expensive and unreliable junk, unfortunately. This is an example. The 167 platform crowd doesn't want to believe it, yet.

Possibly @arsupisemnet , @Max Blast or @BlownV8 have input on options for engine replacement, repair or (unlikely) compensation.

 

I believe all V8 bi-turbo motors are compatible across all chassis. You may just need to swap the oil pan and pickup. If it were me, I'd just drop in a used M157 63 engine, add an ECU tune, and call it a day.

 

What was the reason for the boroscope inspection? You say no warnings...I’d keep driving the vehicle if no check engine or high oil consumption is present. I’d also get a second opinion.

 

Is it smoking, knocking, running rough, or any other symptoms? What stage of failure?

 

Mine made a ton of knocking noise that gradually got worse. Sounded like a diesel. Apparently cylinder #5 is the common failure point. I would get that scoped, I had no codes or lost fluids, just a rattling noise. The real kicker is that the local stealer did not diagnose it until a couple weeks after the warranty was up. When I disputed their timing they said they would not warranty it bc I could not prove it was maintained. I could not get the service records bc the dealer would not release them to me bc of "privacy concerns", MB USA said they have problems with this dealer all the time, but that there is nothing they can do. Never buying another MB again.

I think the days of bullet proof German cars are behind us, with so much mfr in the US.

I would get a low mileage engine from a wrecked one. I do believe any of the M278 engine work, make sure you get it scoped before you buy it. If it is not from an GL, you need your oil pan. Figure $10k in parts and I got a deal at ~$2800 for labor if I recall correctly. Personally, I would not bother with an AMG engine this one can be tuned easily if you want to press your luck on another bad cylinder.

 

I'm in the same boat except I just had a GL450 that I had a fender bender in. Insurance declared it a total loss. I thought I was trading up getting a newer GL550 with 40,000 less miles. Only had it a couple months and needs new motor. Oh and dealer I bought it from pushed a "full coverage" warranty that maxes out at 5k. And to top it off, the dealer is apparently out of business now and has completely ghosted me.

 

Sorry to hear. Usually we see these type of major M278 failures well before 75k. Rarely do we see them failing past100k. Some say it only effected early builds, but that doesn't seem to be the case as many 2015 owners have experienced issues.

 

I think it is a V8 issue, isn't the 2015 a V6?

 

Yes, piston scuffing and other engine failures are V8 related. The 2015-2019 GL450 and GLS450 used the M276 3.0L TT.

 

Rebuildable if you really want it and have capable mechanic. Otherwise just buy engine off eBay with small mileage. Could be either gl450 2012-2014 or s550 or whatever. Basically M278 engine core is the same - might just swap oil pans.
From tech point - piston bearing failure won't cause wall scoring. Never ever ever. Just BS.

 

Very common. 2014 gl550 with 114k miles scuffed cylinder and won’t start anymore. Leaky injectors seem to be an issue as well.

 

Please where can i get a used engine and where is this shop in NJ, I live here as well, the problem with the car is almost identical to the one described in that post, Ring on the piston scoring the side of cylinder No 8 in my 2013 450GL

 

He has two locations, one in Hamilton and one in Hightstown. I think that is the primary location. Tony Sandhu, great guy, honest, I have towed my car 100 miles to get it to him, rather than have another shop work on it.
There are some engines on ebay and https://car-part.com/cgi-bin/search.cgi
It can be any M278, as stated above just change the oil pan and pickup. I would do the engine mounts while you are in there.
Let us know what you find out.

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Thanks a bunch, i will keep you updated

 

I have similar problem . Almost identical. we have heard a sound. took to the dealer and claims that timing belt to be changed then engine mount etc cost 11k. few weeks later we have knocking noise and was told that engine to be replaced.
our extended warranty just expired.
I am frustrated as we have new car to be delivered in December and need to pay 30K on new engine
there must be an issue with this engine , we have maintained the car at the same dealership.