SL55 AMG, SL63 AMG, SL65 AMG (R230) 2002 - 2011 (2003 US for SL55 and 2004 for the SL65)

SL55/63/65/R230 AMG: Engine coolant in oil

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Old Aug 4, 2017 | 09:08 AM
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2009 sl63, 2011 sls, 2014 e63s 2018 e63s
Engine coolant in oil

I have a 2009 SL63 with 11,000 miles. I noticed the "Top-Off Coolant" light was illuminated so added coolant. At first I added one liter, but had to purchase more as it remained low. After adding a second liter, I pulled the dip stick and saw that the oil was milky and overfilled by some six inches. In disbelief, I started the engine and the exhaust quickly began to billow thick white smoke. I had the car transported to a local shop who drained the contaminated oil from the pan. They them poured water into the radiator and it quickly exited the oil drain plug hole.

The car ran perfectly prior to the low coolant light illuminating. At only 11K miles is it possible that a head bolt broke? And, if so, would the coolant run through the radiator and engine into the pan that quickly? Is this engine equipped with a water cooled oil cooler?

HELP! Please.
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Old Aug 4, 2017 | 10:37 AM
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You may want to re-post this in the C63 W204 section where there are a lot more people....

But yes you certainly have a fairly big issue.... won't really know what till you start to tear it down...

Could be a lotta things...

Headgasket
Broken head bolt
cracked head
cracked block

intake gasket ? not sure on this engine...but others more familiar will hopefully comment..

Mike
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Old Aug 4, 2017 | 03:44 PM
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Thank you Mike. Appreciate the re-post tip.


Jay
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Old Aug 6, 2017 | 11:21 AM
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Originally Posted by jayelighter
Thank you Mike. Appreciate the re-post tip.


Jay
Yes, there is actually a dedicated thread on the C63 forum just for this. There is a well known headbolt issue on these engines and it sounds like yours just failed.

I replaced my head bolts proactively earlier this year and at the same time upgraded to new valve buckets as well. Total cost was in the $4,000 Canadian range.

James
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Old Aug 6, 2017 | 02:12 PM
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Well known issue. MB should have recalled all the engines and replaced the faulty head bolts. Don't drive the car until you repair and I would not wait to repair.
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Old Aug 7, 2017 | 03:20 PM
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yea, you will be lucky if it is just the headbolts. with that much fluid you could have easily bent a rod or damaged something else in the engine.
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