W222 Low Compression Cylinder #5 (scored walls)
03-12-2022, 08:41 AM
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2016 Mercedes S550
W222 Low Compression Cylinder #5 (scored walls)
Hi everyone,
Had the S550 checked at the local mercedes dealership due to some puttering of the engine when gas applied.
Turns out that Cylinder #5 has low compression due to scored walls from the piston. It was inspected by a tech with a bore scope.
Mercedes is saying the only solution is a new engine, which was quoted at $40k without labor!
Any input whether this is the only solution would be great. No warranty and it has 125k miles on it. I have brought it to mercedes for every service and on time. This car was NOT abused.
Had the S550 checked at the local mercedes dealership due to some puttering of the engine when gas applied.
Turns out that Cylinder #5 has low compression due to scored walls from the piston. It was inspected by a tech with a bore scope.
Mercedes is saying the only solution is a new engine, which was quoted at $40k without labor!
Any input whether this is the only solution would be great. No warranty and it has 125k miles on it. I have brought it to mercedes for every service and on time. This car was NOT abused.
03-12-2022, 09:21 AM
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2016 Mercedes S550
A new engine is just out of the picture, the final costs would be close to double what the car is worth…
Trying to weigh all options, but first I’ll be taking it to a local private shop who specializes in German vehicles to see what they say.
Basically trying to gather insight and options before I do anything.
Trying to weigh all options, but first I’ll be taking it to a local private shop who specializes in German vehicles to see what they say.
Basically trying to gather insight and options before I do anything.
Last edited by njbrazil; 03-12-2022 at 09:48 AM.
03-12-2022, 11:11 AM
#4
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The M278 engine is notorious for this. Many claim its due to the extended oil-change interval, so many owners "in the know" are dropping to a 5k interval. This is a good reminder for us M278 owners!
03-12-2022, 12:45 PM
#6
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As an m157 owner, this worries us all. Are you the original owner? Any goodwill from Mercedes for this known issue? Another thread recently mentioned that Mercedes’ now offers a factory rebuilt engine option for a m157. I’d ask about this, try to get a core on yours and see what those numbers show.
if you were the original owner, what were your oil change intervals.
were you tuned?
As someone who is insane, I’m doing changes every 3-5k max, including ceratec, and mos2. Ceratec is not an every time thing. Having used Mobil one, liqui moly and motul excess, all with liqui moly additives, motul has been the best for me . I’ve also historically dabbled in amsoil and other higher end oils. In 5k miles of all spirited driving I am replacing 3-4 quarts of oil. I feel any of these carbon deposit producing engines need frequent oil changes so deposits don’t wind up in the cylinders.
id like to scope my cylinders, but am dreading it, even with only 60k and a warranty. It will be a summer project.
keep us updated as I’d like to hear more about the manufactures rebuilt 157 engine and that cost if you can attain it
also there is a current thread that shows a higher end rebuild and you can reach out to them to see what the aftermarket approach is adding up to cost.
if you were the original owner, what were your oil change intervals.
were you tuned?
As someone who is insane, I’m doing changes every 3-5k max, including ceratec, and mos2. Ceratec is not an every time thing. Having used Mobil one, liqui moly and motul excess, all with liqui moly additives, motul has been the best for me . I’ve also historically dabbled in amsoil and other higher end oils. In 5k miles of all spirited driving I am replacing 3-4 quarts of oil. I feel any of these carbon deposit producing engines need frequent oil changes so deposits don’t wind up in the cylinders.
id like to scope my cylinders, but am dreading it, even with only 60k and a warranty. It will be a summer project.
keep us updated as I’d like to hear more about the manufactures rebuilt 157 engine and that cost if you can attain it
also there is a current thread that shows a higher end rebuild and you can reach out to them to see what the aftermarket approach is adding up to cost.
03-12-2022, 02:37 PM
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'71 Pinto
16 s550 = 278 engine. If your engine # is within range of attached bulletin 061835 argue for MBUSA goodwill repair.
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03-12-2022, 03:58 PM
#8
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At 125K miles I doubt there is anything MB will do. I would find a wrecked S550 and buy the motor, Find a good mechanic that can do the swap and do it that route. You are probably still looking at 20K. With those miles though the car is probably only worth 30-35K to begin with so it may be better to sell it as is.
03-12-2022, 04:12 PM
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2010 E350 4Matic
This bulletin appears to be concerned with cylinder head. The posted issue seems to be with the cylinder walls. Could they be related?
Last edited by MBNUT1; 03-12-2022 at 04:29 PM.
03-12-2022, 04:39 PM
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2017 GLE350 4MATIC
Cylinder scoring is trademark MB quality unfortunately.
options:
- dump the car
- new engine done by dealer
- new (preowned) engine by indy
- resleeved engine, maybe @arsupisemnet can suggest something here
options:
- dump the car
- new engine done by dealer
- new (preowned) engine by indy
- resleeved engine, maybe @arsupisemnet can suggest something here
03-12-2022, 09:32 PM
#12
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Where can you find your engine number? Probably on the engine itself somewhere, but hoping in some database/VIN search ...
Oh, and FWIW, here's a used M278 for sale ... https://www.ebay.com/itm/27513809201...kAAOSwwHJh8D6Y
Oh, and FWIW, here's a used M278 for sale ... https://www.ebay.com/itm/27513809201...kAAOSwwHJh8D6Y
Last edited by Tom in Austin; 03-12-2022 at 09:34 PM.
03-13-2022, 09:39 AM
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2017 GLE350 4MATIC
S500=S550=M278=non-AMG
03-13-2022, 10:15 AM
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You could always LS swap it. That would be cool. Lots of Jag owners do this. Not sure if anyone has come up with a kit yet but the M278 platform is pretty popular in the MB lineup so maybe.
03-13-2022, 04:58 PM
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No more MB:(
Where can you find your engine number? Probably on the engine itself somewhere, but hoping in some database/VIN search ...
Oh, and FWIW, here's a used M278 for sale ... https://www.ebay.com/itm/27513809201...kAAOSwwHJh8D6Y
Oh, and FWIW, here's a used M278 for sale ... https://www.ebay.com/itm/27513809201...kAAOSwwHJh8D6Y
03-14-2022, 04:56 PM
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M278 Block. Was hoping that this might be of value to OP until I saw the note "Has damage see photos" Guess what that damage looks like?
https://www.ebay.com/itm/29414291007...Cclp%3A2047675
https://www.ebay.com/itm/29414291007...Cclp%3A2047675
03-14-2022, 05:45 PM
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03-14-2022, 06:46 PM
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Message user arsupisemnet
03-17-2022, 03:49 PM
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2016 Mercedes S550
Just an update. Mercedes dealer is purchasing the S550 for $20k. I’ll take it and not look back. I just purchased a Tesla model 3.
the $2k-$4k yearly maintenance and $500 in gas a month are now in the past.
For those interested, I had been doing regular oil changes at a Mercedes dealership every 5-6k miles.
the $2k-$4k yearly maintenance and $500 in gas a month are now in the past.
For those interested, I had been doing regular oil changes at a Mercedes dealership every 5-6k miles.
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03-17-2022, 03:57 PM
#23
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Truly unfortunate scenario. Makes me wonder, what if it were leased and this happened, would the lessee be responsible for fixing the damaged engine?
03-17-2022, 04:25 PM
#24
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Surprised they gave you 20K for it. Going to cost them 15K to fix and then it is probably only worth 40K max with those miles. Sounds like you got the best of a terrible situation. Enjoy the Tesla!
03-17-2022, 07:05 PM
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2016 Mercedes S550
Yup, zero hesitation on my part, took that deal. I will say I do miss my W140 benz… that treated me very well up to 180k miles.
I might try to find one with low miles to keep in the garage.
I might try to find one with low miles to keep in the garage.
