Oil Cooler repair and a new timing chain - estimate is $7,000 - true?
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Jan 2018
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From: NJ
2012 GL350
Oil Cooler repair and a new timing chain - estimate is $7,000 - true?
GL 350 with 73,000 miles just started leaking oil so I brought it in for repair. The estimate is $7,000 for new oil coolers and a time chain which they say is loose and slapping. Does this cost sound accurate?
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2011
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From: Illinois
2019 Audi Q8, 2015 GL63, & 2005 E500W4
That's a little high. I have a quote from a Chicago area dealership for $2,172.92 for the timing chain and tensioner, and $2,346.00 for the oil cooler seals. You should be able to do better than that at an independent mechanic as well.
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Jan 2018
Posts: 4
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From: NJ
2012 GL350
They offered to cover the parts, which are quoted at $3000. I cover the labor. The oil cooler replacement and the timing chain labor is $4000. According to your first comments, pricing is in the ball park, but still, something doesn't seem right.
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'13 GL350, '02 CLK55 AMG Cabriolet, '02 E320 4MATIC Wagon
Another stretched timing chain in a diesel. My 2013 GL350 had 80,000 miles when the stretched (not worn) chain had to be replaced. All services performed at purchasing dealership as recommended. Highway miles, no towing, no abuse. 15 +/- hours of labor. With parts and "shop supplies" bill was over $3,200.00. Got no help from MB or the dealer. According to technicians this condition isn't that uncommon even though MB denies it exists. I know a bit about vehicles and caught the condition myself. Interestingly the GL had been in the dealership for service a few days before and they didn't catch it. As ridiculous as this may seem we should consider ourselves lucky to have caught the condition before it got worse. If not caught and addressed early the chain can jump resulting immediate catastrophic engine failure. Replacing a MB engine costs in the 10s of thousands of dollars. Curiously, according to two different senior dealership technicians, this condition seems to be limited to ML's, GL's and R's, no cars, despite the fact it is the same engine.
Super Member
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 809
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From: Dallas, TX
2008 E63 wagon (1 of 62)
before I left the dealership world, I had quoted an engine replacement for a seized 2012 ML bluetech engine. If I remember correctly, the engine from MB was about $12000 for parts alone.. Include labor and I think it was about $15-16000 because of those garbage timing chain issues.
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'13 GL350, '02 CLK55 AMG Cabriolet, '02 E320 4MATIC Wagon
MB parts prices have become absolutely obscene. According to quotes given to customers by MB dealers and posted on this site, replacement for this engine with a long block is between 30k and 35k. This is unverified but is consistent with my recollection of the costs a year or ago. I was talking to a couple of MB parts guys (friends) when I had to have my timing chain replaced and they were telling me how lucky I was that it didn't jump and cause a catastrophic engine failure. If I recall correctly a new long block was in the mid 20's. I'm curious so I'll verify this. I do know from a friend at a local MB dealership that replaced a very neglected 2012 GL350 engine with a used one that the cost to the customer was in excess of $21,000.00. Just unbelievable!!!
Last edited by 02 CLK AMG Cab; Feb 5, 2018 at 12:48 PM.
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From: Massachusetts
2014 Smart ForTwo Passion Cabrio
Super Member
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 809
Likes: 74
From: Dallas, TX
2008 E63 wagon (1 of 62)
