nativecrafts

Our Mercedes mechanic while replacing air matic block valve assembly noticed that airmatic compressor filter was installed in reverse direction resulting dusty air not being able to filtered out. As a result internal component may have damaged. Still give malfunction codes. He thinks the air filter was installed wrong in the factory by Mercedes.
I brought the car to Mercedes dealership for further investigation explaining them what I was told by other Mercedes mechanic. Car is still in the shop.
What are my chance to have Mercedes bear the cost of repair when the part was installed wrong by them?

How do I contact Mercedes to file complaints?

kombifan

Honestly? Very little.
Are you the original owner? Any x164 is far out of the original warranty.

Mb customer care. +1-800-367-6372

nativecrafts

It is 2013 GL450. 72,000 miles. I am not original owner.

kombifan

Tha's hard to tell. Have you had all services done at the mb dealership?
Obviously not so its hard to predict. They might give you a credit towards a new car or nothing.

I'm not the original owner, I bought it 2 years old but I have had over 15k in repairs done at the dealership which makes a difference. When I've complained they've taken care of me.

I wouldn't expect much.

nativecrafts

$15,000 on repair? Will never buy a Mercedes again.
Yes I and previous seller had annual maintenance done at the same dealership. They have record of all maintenance.
Only time I went outside Mercedes repairshop was to replace two rear air springs.

kombifan

Not out of my own pocket though. My extended warranty has paid for it all.
A 1.5 inch binder thick.

If so you'll have better luck. Be sure to stay ontop of the executive advisor who will call you.

kombifan

I see you posted on 12-19-18 about the rough riding suspension.

Did you just get the compressor and valve block replaced this week?
If so you probably damaged by waiting so long to fix the issue and burned out the compressor. These pumps work overtime and crack and croak when things leak.

What kind of errors are you getting?

nativecrafts

$15,000 repair under warranty (implying that the car was fairly new) raises a ominous signal to the quality of car workmanship.

i had 2000 Toyota Sienna and sold it 18 years later with never a repair cost like that. Don’t think it cost me more than $1000 on repair in the entire 18 years.

I have 2005 Sequoia. Never had to repair for anything other than regular maintenance like tires and filters.

kombifan

Hmm?
Repairs. Total. Since 2012 till present day.

They're expensive vehicles, and have equipment not seen on cars in the price class as the sequoia or sienna. So I wouldn't consider it apples to apples.

Maybe if you compared a higher end lexus product it would be the same.
A mb is built to higher tolerances and is extremely sensitive to deferred maintenance.
Some things are ridiculous but it is part of the ownership.

But stories like mine of owners who have extended warranties that pay out these amounts are not uncommon. It is why these vehicles depreciate so heavily. And it's not just mb, it's bmw, audi, infiniti, jaguar landrover etc. The purchase price I assume, was a far cry from the new value of 80k$

nativecrafts

Thanks for noticing my earlier comments. Yes trouble started since then. I took the car right away to mechanic and he replaced rear air springs. Rear airbags were low according to diagnostics testing.

Month or two later, similar thing happed again.
Another diagnostics testing. Found out valve bock assembly needed to be replaced. He replaced it and noticed air filter installed in reverse direction. He replaced air filter. Still got malfunctions codes.

Since air filter was installed wrong by factory I decided to bring it to dealership !!!

kombifan

Did diagnosistics actually say the valve block was faulty or did your indy just assume?

Sometimes the compressor is just cracked and worn out. You didn't mention that. Did you replace that to?. When replacing the compressor replace the relay too. They tend to fail and cause the compressor to stick on.

Look into sourcing parts from fcp euro for a lifetime warranty. Really they're amazing. Arnott also has a lifetime warranty on all their air suspension parts.
I imagine your front struts will need replacing in the not so distant future.

nativecrafts

thanks again.
yes diagnostics say faulty block valve. Replaced block valve and air filter . Still got malfunction code ..minimum pressure not attained. Technician thought compressor need to be replaced but could not guarantee that there won’t be another malfunction cod after getting new compressor.
i bought it to dealership.

kombifan

Yeah. You need a compressor too. You might have luck with them on paying half or some.

nativecrafts

Thank you! You have been persistent helper to me! Are you in Europe? This is midnight in US and you are still responding. Thanks

kombifan

No. Just can't sleep.

Cheapest part in case mb sticks you with the bill. If they do ask them to cover labor. https://www.carid.com/arnott/air-sus...pn-p-3258.html

Arnott has lifetime warranty on parts.

nativecrafts

Thanks . I lost my sleep too because of this car!
let us see what this dealership tells me tomorrow!
i just hope it is no more than compressor !

kombifan

You catch more flies with honey than vinegar.

I think the compressor is the last thing giving you an error. But keep in mind the fronts will come into play soon

nativecrafts

As promised I am back again. I got my car back. Dealer replaced compressor as expected but also replaced block valve assembly which was already replaced a week ago by previous mechanic. When I enquirered about it, they said the valve assembly that was installed had oil in it and all sensors and circuitry were shorted out due to oil contamination. Does that sound plausible? Of course the previous

mechanic say it was brand new and nothing wrong with it. You appear to know a lot about Mercedes

kombifan

We're you charged?

Did you receive the part back? Does it look like oil was in there?

nativecrafts

I was charged of course! More than I paid to previous mechanic. Yes I got the block back. It does look oily in all ports. The picture I attached is the same block I got back. Dealer blames previous mechanic for oil contamination. I asked the previous mechanic if he got the block oiled from vendor. He denies. Who is right? Someone is lying!

nativecrafts

Is there anyway to test this block valve to see if it works without installing in a car? If it works. I like to sell it.

kombifan

That gets messy.

Is your "mercedes" mechanic a indy who only works on mercedes?

Its going to be a lot of finrger pointing and considering The dealer charged you instead of covering the cost; your first mechanic is just going to deny it.

You can bring it to him and see what he says. You can alwsys ask him to refund the cost of the part you had to replace twice.

Your struts are also original? You have no issues with those?

nativecrafts

Struts are Mercedes brand according to mechanic. No problem there yet.
Mechanic already refused to take responsibility.
I tried to be polite and asked him to return the block to vendor as it was not functioning. He insists it was fine.

kombifan

That's the closest I could find

nativecrafts

The mechanic I worked with works on foreign cars only including Audi, BMW, Mercedes and yes even Toyota