Well today, the boys at Benz Elite Automotive got starting on my M156 engine. Last week, I had them replace a faulty passenger side keyless go door handle, and replace the oil temperature sensor, that has been giving faulty readings. After getting the car into the air, we diagnosed an oil leak from the upper oil pan and a power steering leak coming from the power steering pump. Well today, we starting surgery to repair the problem. I also had them flush my brake fluid on my BMW X5M, well when I walked into their shop, I was shocked to see my E63 all torn apart.





I got a little teary-eyed, seeing my car torn apart, but it’s in good hands as Eddie is working on it.






Since everything has been removed it made perfect sense to go ahead to replace the engine mounts and trans mount. As it’s a no brained and cost effective measure, as it would be a lot more money to replace them in a year or two. Just more preventative maintenance.





And now their starting to clean things up and put everything back together.















I took so many photos, as this isn’t something that I normally see when I visit the shop.

Here is where the oil temp sensor lives, very difficult to get at otherwise

 

per photos...the shop you goto looks to be a solid performer. looks like they do not rush anything and are very meticulous in the process.

what mounts did you end up going with? factory or black series/v12?

 

Yes the shop is first rate, they had a 911 Turbo S, Panamera Turbo, several C Classes, 2 E55’s, my E63, S600 and a Range Rover Sport in the shop. The Range Rover Sport was getting full detail and ceramic coated, the 911 Turbo S, was getting a complete performance exhaust, one of the E55’s was getting a new cf front splitter, as Brian “Worth the Wait” wife tore it up on something.

I've been going to this shop for 10 years, and the best thing is they allow you into the bay to watch them work. Most shops will not allow this, as it is a liability if you get hurt. I really enjoy helping out on my car and learning a few things along the way.

I went with factory engine mounts, and lemforder trans mount. ZF power steering pump, factory oil temp sensor. They are letting the rtv setup over might and tomorrow afternoon before putting in the oil and checking for leaks. Hopefully I’ll get it back by COB tomorrow or Friday.

I hated to see my car tore apart, and some people would argue about spending several thousand dollars to repair a $9000 car, but I don’t look at it that way, as this car is a passion of mine.

And I’m not done, next month I’m having Hurley’s Auto Audio move the digital display and controller for my Passport 9500ci and mount the display under my rear view mirror, and move the controller from the side of the center console to inside the ashtray. Also the car is lacking those highs from tweeters in th rear deck. Last year I had the stereo system addressed with Focal speakers, but left the rear deck alone, now it’s time that I addressed this. The car sounds awesome while your in the front seat, but if you sit in the back, the sounds is apparent no highs. But plenty of bomb bastic Bass 😁

I also need to replace the windshield cowling, as the corners are developing cracks, where leafs and crap are trapped in. And after this, I’m concentrating on addressing all the fluids on my BNW X5M, I jus Thad the brakes flushed today. But still need to do engine coolant, power steering fluid, front and rear diffs, trans and transfer case, then serpentine belt and plugs. 👍🏽

The best part, is that my car will be even better once all is finished. As pretty much every weakness as been addressed.

 

Man, I’m glad that we replaced my engine and transmission mounts. As my technician Eddie showed me today, when I picked up my E63.

Here you can see the difference in height between the old and the new.

This is a brand OEM piece. Then below that we have the old pieces, where you can see the cracks that has developed and starting to separate. They were a time bomb just waiting to happen, but it’s funny that I felt nothing from inside the car. But I’m fortunate that we decided to replace these now, other than later as the expense would have been around $900, as the engine would need to be raised and the subframe dropped in order to make room to remove the engine mounts.




I don’t have any photos of the transmission mount but it was just as bad after 13 years. These were the original parts.

 

You were definitely due for them based on mileage/time, but those mounts are not actually that compressed. I have seen many much worse than that; which is why you didn't notice symptoms from inside the car. Also, the engine does have the be hoisted/lifted but the subframe does not have to be dropped to replace these. I had a local shop do them in 2 hours for me, and they did a damn good job.

 

Yes, I agree that the engine mounts are not that compressed, but the rubber is cracked and a tear was developing. Also the weight of the engine isn’t resting on them, so the photo doesn’t paint an accurate picture. Also it was just a matter of time before they failed and the hydraulic fluid leaked out. I also have Kleemann headers, that don’t offer a lot of room, so my tech said that they would have to hoist the engine Up a bit and drop the subframe down a bit to gain space to remove the engine mounts. So it was good that the suspension and subframe was out of the way, and they didn’t even charge me to change the engine and trans mount. 👍🏽

 

when I replaced mine with black series mounts they were about 1cm lower than new. they would knock like wood upon hard acceleration. no fluid leaked out. gladly you didn't experience any knocking. it was rather annoying.

 

That is because the SLS utilizes a dry sump, and scavenger oil pump, so the engine rode lower in the chassis. Thus the engine mounts were shorter.

I never had any indications of issues, we just replaced the engine and trans mounts because they were readily accessible and didn’t cost me a dime in labor.

 

sorry I guess that was phrased wrong. the CLK63 Black series new compared to my OEM 120-140k miles, the OEM I pulled out were 1cm lower and the rubber looked softer through wear over time.

 

That's for the clarification. You can definitely see the difference in height from the old to the new on mine. Although I had no issues, they needed to be replaced.

 

Yesterday, after driving home from Benz Elite Automotive, I got a Air Suspension malfunction pop up in the instrument cluster. And again this morning, so I called the shop, and they swing by the shop after work, so I did. Just before I get there the malfunction popped up again, as I arrive I immediately see Emile (Owner), he takes a look then immediately grabs the scan tool and runs diagnostics. Then pops the hood and check the connection wires on top of the passenger air strut, pulls it off then reseats it. Then I went on a twenty minute test drive, no further indications appear, so I return to the shop to find Brain “Worth the Wait” there to pick up his E55. Brian is the one that inspired me to get my CF interior trim and actually gave me his old trim to send to OCarbon to be reworked in CF. Anyway we talked for a few minutes, and off he went. Then I stayed for another twenty minutes shooting the breeze with Emile. He said that when my front suspension was dropped they most likely didn’t fully seat the connection when it was reassembled. 🤔. Well problem solved 😁

 

Yullie you have GOT to be getting kickbacks from all the advertisements you’re giving everyone you deal with. Hell I’ve heard it so much I feel like I’ve know all these companies for years! Hahahahaha.

If not....you should be. Lol

 

Tim,

Boy do you love busting my chops..... I don't mind giving a shop a shout out, when their work is outstanding. Lord knows they helped me out tremendously over the years, often times not charging me for small projects.
So if I can steer some business there way, then so be it. And that is my only kickback.

 

I mean no harm. Lol. Just having some fun.....but they should pay you. Lol.

 

I know, that it's all in good fun.

 

Have you noticed a smoother running engine (less cabin vibrations) since the engine mounts were replaced.

 

Honestly, I didn’t have cabin vibration that I’ve noticed. But the car does run smoother now.
My engine mounts weren’t that bad, but needed replacement nonetheless, as there were cracks in the rubber, and these were original engine mounts.
Now if a had, say an E55 then yes I would have noticed, as those engines have more torque.

 

This post is great, thanks. My main pan also needs resealing and the pics you post confirm for me that I'll definitely be able to tackle this myself at home. I'll be closer to the ground, on quick jacks, but those engine mounts look like they'll perch nicely atop my quality flat top jack stands. Otherwise this looks like it could actually be fun.

It would be nice if I actually need some engine mounts by the time I get to this so I can hit 2 for 1 and finally try those East Coast Euro mounts people rave about.

 

This is one of those, while your in there type of things. Why not replaced those engine mounts when you have easy access to them. Or you'll spend more time and money fixing the issue later.
Just a word of advice, get the matting surfaces nice a clean before sealing the upper and lower oil pans. And let it sit for 24-48 hours for the sealant to cure before adding oil.

 

I can personally confirm that the Subframe does not need to be dropped in order to replace the engine mounts, at least not in the early E63. I did that in my garage using a mini-bottle Jack propped on several squares of wood. All you do is one side and then the other. You must have the “tool” you attach to your ratchet that is shaped to access the top bolt of the mount. There’s plenty of room and, IIRC, I disco’d the exhaust mid section that quite easily is detached to allow for just such an operation. I also detached the tranny cooling tubes from their mount(s) to allow them to have the “play” required to raise the engine on the passenger side. If I had to do it again, it would take an hour, max, that includes setting the car on Jack stands. Easy Peasy! It took extra time to stick Gold heat reflecting “stuff” on top of the Mount Heat Shields I had left over from my having done same to the bottom of my Intake!😎

But after all I have done, which is almost everything!, the one area I haven’t conquered is what you have done here! That as well as the front Timing Chain and Slides & Oil Chain and Slides replacement which I have sitting in a box! I understand from another post from Hachiroku who races his E63, that it was one bolt on the underside in this exact area that was the culprit of his unfortunate disaster! Had something to do with the oil pickup tube IIRC? Hopefully, you addressed that while you were “in there”?

 

Haha. Totally forgot I posted this until someone bumped it with an semi-related reply.

Y'all are gonna lambaste me for it, but with more thought, I did not want to do that job under the car with oil dripping on me. I opted to just take the engine out completely and spin it upside down. Worked a treat. This has been while I've been pretty busy with work so it definitely has had 48hrs to cure before oil will get added. Lol. It's a bit more work upfront but ze Germans laid it out real nice so not a difficult job and the ergonomics are much better.


What is annoying though is there really wasn't anything else to do while it was out... no other leaks, mounts are fine... Just a lot of cleaning.

 

Now that you've got the engine out, it's a good time to replace those things, that are difficult to replace while the engine is in. It's another while your in there type of thing.

 

I just swapped out my engine mounts and started asking myself if the right ones have been mounted. But I got it confirmed just yet that they are crushed in over time. I replaced them with Meyle mounts, which look a bit more sturdy.





More pics here: https://mbworld.org/forums/c219/8443...ml#post8600633

 

These Meyle engine mounts definitely are a little different, might even be better than OEM.