2018 W213 E63S Sedan - 41k miles, rear main seal seal/retainer failure




Dealer foreman got the advise from MB Germany that whenever there is an oil leak at RMS, the two oil separators should also be replaced as it would be a matter of time before they would also fail, the quote I got for this task is 8 hrs labor and with parts at $800 Cdn. Currently, the two oil separators show no signs of oil leak but I just don't want to go thru this hassle in the future, so I approved the dealer to do that repair at the same time.
Dealer foreman got the advise from MB Germany that whenever there is an oil leak at RMS, the two oil separators should also be replaced as it would be a matter of time before they would also fail, the quote I got for this task is 8 hrs labor and with parts at $800 Cdn. Currently, the two oil separators show no signs of oil leak but I just don't want to go thru this hassle in the future, so I approved the dealer to do that repair at the same time.
Dealer foreman got the advise from MB Germany that whenever there is an oil leak at RMS, the two oil separators should also be replaced as it would be a matter of time before they would also fail, the quote I got for this task is 8 hrs labor and with parts at $800 Cdn. Currently, the two oil separators show no signs of oil leak but I just don't want to go thru this hassle in the future, so I approved the dealer to do that repair at the same time.
Another design fail by MB.




The Best of Mercedes & AMG




mine is scheduled to be completed by next Friday (almost 4 weeks at the dealer, waiting for parts here and there)
Last edited by bobblehead; Dec 29, 2022 at 05:06 PM.








Dealer has given me the final bill on this RMS & Oil separators repair bill
28.5 hrs labor @ $176 per hr = $5,016 Canadian
Parts = $773.50 Canadian
Total - $5,789.50 Cdn or $4,321 US (in today's exchange valuation)
Grand total with sales taxes (13% where I am) = $6,542 Cdn
* RMS parts replaced - sealant, elastomer seal and new crankcase cover and bunch of bolts/screws
* oil separators replaced - oil separators, belts, vent line
Dealer made a remark on the bill of the RMS failure due to crankcase pressure vacuum was too high
Last edited by bobblehead; Jan 16, 2023 at 02:35 PM.




Back in 2021, the extended warranty for our E63s price quoted was C$5,250 for +24 months // C$6,200 +36 months .. taxes not included
Not sure what the latest quoted price for that now
Last edited by bobblehead; Jan 16, 2023 at 03:10 PM.
The argument to MB for coverage of vapor separators is that they are an emissions component. If they disagree, I’m sure there are many lawyers who would gladly write a polite letter to MB that would get their attention. Include the EPA in carbon copy.
Remember the small block Chevy V8 in the 1968 Chevelle, and its PCV “breather”? Fast forward 55 years and we now have vapor separators.
Last edited by chassis; Jan 16, 2023 at 03:42 PM.
Because the examples in this thread are not preceded by a failed EPA short test, MB will push back on coverage. Therefore the lawyer letter might help toward partial or full coverage of the expense. Also file a complaint with NHTSA.
This is for 2020, I imagine a document exists for each year:
https://www.mbusa.com/content/dam/mb...e_Warranty.pdf
Oil separator is listed.
Last edited by chassis; Jan 16, 2023 at 07:04 PM.
Pressure needs to be relieved from the crankcase, so disconnecting the separators and plugging the holes in the cylinder head is not an option. The separators could be removed and an aftermarket catch can plumbed from the cylinder head holes, or the factory vapor plumbing between the separator and intake manifold could be rerouted to a new aftermarket catch can.
The second scenario still leaves open the potential of plugging the factory separator and blowing the rear main seal from crankcase over pressure. So it’s back to a full-on aftermarket catch can solution. MB didn’t get it right. Again.
The above is the hardware scenario. I don’t know if there are sensors or switches connected to the separators or plumbing to the intake ducts.
Last edited by chassis; Jan 21, 2023 at 08:11 PM.





