C63 Head Bolts?

Jonathan Schofield

Active Member
Joined
Oct 6, 2017
Messages
37
Reaction score
26
Your Mercedes
C43 Estate 2016
I am now the proud owner of a 2008 C63 Estate. It has full MBSH and as far as I can tell has been quite well looked after. The car is original, not chipped, messed up or buggered about with but, as always with my cars, bought with a rush of blood....
However, I have read on here and elsewhere about "head bolts" on earlier 6.3lt engines and would like to know more about the problem from a new owners perspective. I think it's a M156 engine, where do I find the engine number? The one on the log book is not realted to thenumbers seen in these threads.

So the car is 9 years old and has covered 73000 miles, what is the danger period for head bolt failure, what are the warning signs and what may be done to prevent it.

Incidentally, when I bought the car a few weeks ago I of course checked the oil filler cap for 'sludge' (there was none) but this evening having another check I managed to break the plastic oil filler cap and now have the car off road until JCT600 deliver a new one.... Friday with luck.

The car is currently my daily driver, I've already put 3200 miles on it and is shaping up to be one of my all time favourites.

More info here: www.betterbangers.com

Best

Jonathan
 

John Laidlaw

Senior Member
Joined
Nov 15, 2013
Messages
26,373
Reaction score
9,163
Location
Wirral
Your Mercedes
Land Rover Discovery 4
Engine numbers ending 60658 and onwards had modified engine bolts fitted.
Post your VIN number on here and we can get you your engine number....
 

Steve@Avantgarde

Forum Supporter
Authorised Forum Supporter
Joined
Dec 8, 2009
Messages
7,314
Reaction score
1,955
Location
Bristol/Somerset
Website
www.avantgarde-automotive.co.uk
Your Mercedes
E300 Coupe AMG Line PP/NE, SLR McLaren Roadster, SL55 & C32AMG
Sadly I have seen some after that prod number fail too.

It's no big drama really, you remove the rocker covers and replace the headbolts one at a time, unless there has been sludge then its recommended to lift the heads to replace the gaskets.

You will likely have more issues with rattly tappets on the early 63's rather than headbolts.
 

John Laidlaw

Senior Member
Joined
Nov 15, 2013
Messages
26,373
Reaction score
9,163
Location
Wirral
Your Mercedes
Land Rover Discovery 4
Really Steve? Didn’t realise there had been issues with the modified head bolts too- but yes as you say it’s not a big drama and certainly not the blown out of proportion issue some folks created. Certainly the 156 is a great engine apart from the tappets as you say
 

Big Cheese

Senior Member
Joined
Feb 22, 2017
Messages
138
Reaction score
77
Location
WEST MIDLANDS
Your Mercedes
ML63 2007
Also the oil rings on the end of the camshaft are prone to failure.Both mine on my ML63 W156 have gone in the last 6mhts causing the housing to badly score & need replacing.Luckily the camshaft sensors are magnetic so there were no bits of oil ring floating about the engine.Tappets as mentioned are also a issue but are relatively inexpensive but just be aware that if you are doing the job yourself that a special tool is needed for retiming.
 

AMGeed

Senior Member
Joined
Jan 18, 2009
Messages
9,030
Reaction score
7,007
Location
Poole, Dorset
Your Mercedes
S204 C180K
OP
Jonathan Schofield

Jonathan Schofield

Active Member
Joined
Oct 6, 2017
Messages
37
Reaction score
26
Your Mercedes
C43 Estate 2016
  • Thread Starter
  • Thread starter
  • #7
Thank you all for your replies, I am sure that my engine is below(?) 60658 as the car is 2008 vintage, quite an early one. However the chassis number is : WDD2042772F166081 so it may be useful to know it's number.

However my original question still stands, how worried do I need to be, what can I do to mitigate any risk and what are the warning signs.

Bought a new oil filler cap, £16.50 from JCT600 in Harrogate, arrives tomorrow.
 

AMGeed

Senior Member
Joined
Jan 18, 2009
Messages
9,030
Reaction score
7,007
Location
Poole, Dorset
Your Mercedes
S204 C180K
There have not been many posts on either UK MB forums where the bolts have failed on this engine, I would imagine that after 9 years, the bolts would have failed by now so I wouldn't wory too much. I don't know if a Tier 1 MB warranty covers this or not but it might be worth investigating for peace of mind.
Unfortunately, your engine number does come under the list for possible failure as you can see from the datacard attached 027356

Main data
Parameter Value
Ident. number (FIN) WDD2042772F166081
VIN WDD2042772F166081
Baumuster 204277
Sales name C 63 AMG

Order number 0 8 537 17611 (Destination: Great Britain)
Delivery date 25 04 2008
PAINT1 775U BRIGHT SILVER METALLIC CLEAR COAT PAINT
Interior color 201A LEATHER - BLACK/ANTHRACITE
Engine 156985 60 027536
Gearbox 722907 01 751673
General data for model code 204277

Parameter Value
200A LEATHER
201A LEATHER - BLACK/ANTHRACITE
205B OWNERS MANUAL AND SERVICE RECORD - ENGLISH
220 PARKTRONIC SYSTEM (PTS)
241 FRONT SEAT LH ELECTRIC ADJUSTABLE WITH MEMORY
249 INSIDE AND OUTSIDE MIRROR AUTOMATIC DIMMING
250B MOBILO LIFE/EUROPE SERVICE PACKAGE
265 LINES-NO.PLATE DISCONTINUED
275 MEMORY PACKAGE (DRIVER SEAT, STRG. COL., MIRROR)
283B AIRBAGLABLE - ENGLISH
287 THROUGH-LOADING FEATURE
293 SIDEBAG IN REAR LEFT AND RIGHT
294 KNEE AIRBAG
297 ELECTRIC ROLLER SUN BLINDS IN REAR DOOR LH AND RH
299 PRESAFE
305B HEAD UNIT LANGUAGE - BRITISH ENGLISH
310 DUAL CUP HOLDER
335B INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/HU LANGUAGE - ENGLISH
345 RAIN SENSOR
386 UNIVERSAL TELEPHONY PACKAGE
390 LINGUATRONIC-ENGLICH(BRITISH)
414 ELECTRIC TILT/SLIDE SUNROOF IN GLASS VERSION
427 AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION 7-SPEED
440 TEMPOMAT (CRUISE CONTROL)
461 INSTRUMENT WITH MILES IND. AND ENGLISH LEGEND
477 TIRE PRESSURE LOSS WARNER
500 OUTSIDE REAR VIEW MIRROR LH AND RH FOLDING
512 COMAND APS WITH DVD CHANGER
537 DIGITAL RADIO STANDARD DAB (DIGI. AUDIO BROADC.)
551 ANTI-THEFT/ANTI-BREAK-IN WARNING SYSTEM
581 AUTOMATIC CLIMATE CONTROL
584 ELECTRIC WINDOW REGULATOR
5XXL EUROPE
600 HEADLAMPS - CLEANING EQUIPMENT
619 CORNERING ILLUMINATION
621 HEADLAMP WITH ILS, LEFT-HAND TRAFFIC
666 PRODUCT PROT.F.TRANSPORT VEH. W/O TIE-DOWN HOOKS
682 FIRE EXTINGUISHER
690 EMERGENCY SPARE TIRE (MINI SPARE)
739 TRIM PIECES - ALUMINUM
73V SPEED- + LOADINDEX 94Y XL+95Y XL
772 AMG STYLING PACKAGE-FRONT SPOILER, SIDE SKIRT
775U BRIGHT SILVER METALLIC CLEAR COAT PAINT
776 WHEEL ARCH ENLARGEMENT
790 18" AMG SPOKED WHEELS WITH MIXED TIRES
808 AEJ 07/1
808 *1 156.9__ 20060905 AEJ 07/1
808 *2 204____ 20050721 AEJ 07/1
808 *3 722.9__ 20050822 YOM 17/1
810 PREMIUM SOUND SYSTEM
817 SIREN BRACKET FOR INCREASED THEFT PROTECTION
873 SEAT HEATER FOR LEFT AND RIGHT FRONT SEATS
875 HEATED SCREEN WASH SYSTEM
882 INTERIOR SAFEGUARD
885 HIGHTEN THEFT PROTECTION
890 AUTOMATIC REAR-END DOOR
954 EQUIPMENT PACKAGE FOR AVANTGARDE VEHICLES
983 COC PAPER EURO 4 TECHNOLOGY W/O REG. CERT. PART II
989 IDENTIFICATION LABEL UNDER WINDSHIELD
A22 NEW CONVERTER GENERATION
A24 JOINT FLANGE, 4-ARM 120
A36 TORQUE CONVERTER HOUSING AGA
A38 M - VALVE BODY ASSEMBLY WITH VGS 2
A41 SOFTWARE 2
A44 SOFTWARE 3
A50 ENGINE BRACKET VARIANT
F204 MODEL SERIES 204
G907 TRANSMISSION CODE VERSION 07
GA AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
HA REAR AXLE
K11 ADAPTIVE STOP LIGHT FLASHING
K14 CONTROL CODE FOR SERVICE INTERVAL 20000 KM
M156 V8 GASOLINE ENGINE M156 - AMG
M63 6.3 LITER DISPLACEMENT
NB0 NEW VEHICLE DOCUMENTS: DAIMLER AG
R RIGHT-HAND STEERING
R01 SUMMER TIRES
U01 REAR BELT STATUS INDICATION
U18 AUTOMATIC CHILD SEAT RECOGNITATION (AKSE)
U26 FLOOR MATS - AMG
U37 FOGLAMP
U72 DVD PLAYER WITH REGIONAL CODE 2, EUROPE, JAPAN
VL FRONT AXLE HALF, LEFT
VR FRONT AXLE HALF, RIGHT
SPRINGS
Parameter Value
Front suspension strut A 204 320 68 66 ,
Front springs A 204 321 42 04 ,
Rear springs A 204 324 06 04 ,
Rear shim A 210 325 04 84 ,
Other information
Parameter Value
EU approval date 20071128
EU approval number e1*2001/116*0457*01
Additional info for engine
Parameter Value
Engine 156985 60 027536
AGG_VAR A 156 010 12 00
Variant A 156 010 12 00
 
OP
Jonathan Schofield

Jonathan Schofield

Active Member
Joined
Oct 6, 2017
Messages
37
Reaction score
26
Your Mercedes
C43 Estate 2016
  • Thread Starter
  • Thread starter
  • #9
Wow, that's a whole lot of info, thank you. I guess you're right about if it was going to fail it should have done by now. I will investigate a tier 1 MB warranty and see if it's worth doing. I have the remainder of a 3 month warranty from the dealer I bought it off, but I'm fairly cynical about those.
 

AMGeed

Senior Member
Joined
Jan 18, 2009
Messages
9,030
Reaction score
7,007
Location
Poole, Dorset
Your Mercedes
S204 C180K
Wow, that's a whole lot of info, thank you. I guess you're right about if it was going to fail it should have done by now. I will investigate a tier 1 MB warranty and see if it's worth doing. I have the remainder of a 3 month warranty from the dealer I bought it off, but I'm fairly cynical about those.


Have a read of this too Jonathan. A couple of years ago one guy had his replaced as a precautionary measure. Cost him £1200 at the time for ARP studs replaced one at a time without the need to remove the heads. It was done at MSL in Birmingham.
Let me know if you want any more details. I'll find that thread and post it here for you.
http://forums.mbclub.co.uk/threads/m156-head-bolts.209517/

Edit......Everything you need to know
http://forums.mbclub.co.uk/threads/my-m156-engine-mods-future-proofing.176075/
 
Last edited:
OP
Jonathan Schofield

Jonathan Schofield

Active Member
Joined
Oct 6, 2017
Messages
37
Reaction score
26
Your Mercedes
C43 Estate 2016
  • Thread Starter
  • Thread starter
  • #11
Once again, thank you, that was an interesting thread. I think I'll start by asking my local MB dealer what they may know and I may get a quote from an indy. Does anyone know of a good one in the Harrogate, North Yorkshire area?

Subject to all that I'll make a decision on whether to go ahead or lie awake and worry....
 

AMGeed

Senior Member
Joined
Jan 18, 2009
Messages
9,030
Reaction score
7,007
Location
Poole, Dorset
Your Mercedes
S204 C180K
MSL did the head bolts on a few cars. They have a branch in Bradford if that is any help.
I would head to the main branch in Birmingham if I were to need the work doing.

I edited my previous post to include a really good thread on the work done if you haven't seen it yet.
 

daveenty

Senior Member
Joined
Jun 21, 2005
Messages
3,538
Reaction score
2,623
Location
The Frozen North :(
Your Mercedes
2019 AMG S Class Coupe
Stan's Garage in South Shields may be a bit closer to you?

Good bloke and he's done a few, including Lee's C Class and his own S Class, both supercharged versions
 

John Laidlaw

Senior Member
Joined
Nov 15, 2013
Messages
26,373
Reaction score
9,163
Location
Wirral
Your Mercedes
Land Rover Discovery 4
OP
Jonathan Schofield

Jonathan Schofield

Active Member
Joined
Oct 6, 2017
Messages
37
Reaction score
26
Your Mercedes
C43 Estate 2016
  • Thread Starter
  • Thread starter
  • #16
Spoke to the local MB dealer here (JCT600) and the manager of the servicing said that in 10 years he'd never heard of it. I asked him for a price and he came back later with £1842 inc. So that's a starting figure, I need to consider whether to spend the money, I can't really afford to chuck it about.
Daveenty, do you happen to have a contact for Stan's garage?

Jonathan
 

daveenty

Senior Member
Joined
Jun 21, 2005
Messages
3,538
Reaction score
2,623
Location
The Frozen North :(
Your Mercedes
2019 AMG S Class Coupe
I know your dealership, bought my last car from them in fact, though it's not something I'd be letting them loose with to be honest as, and I don't mean this disrespectfully, they wouldn't have a clue where to start...

A good independent is where you need to be and I'd usually suggest MSL for something like this though in this case I know that Stan is closer to you. He also knows what he's doing with them as he's done my mates for him and his own S Class is awesome.

Stan's Garage is at: -
140A Commercial Rd
South Shields
NE33 1RQ

Tel: 0191 455 4114

No website as far as I know, just ask for Stan ;)
 
T

The_Don

Guest
Spoke to the local MB dealer here (JCT600) and the manager of the servicing said that in 10 years he'd never heard of it. I asked him for a price and he came back later with £1842 inc. So that's a starting figure, I need to consider whether to spend the money, I can't really afford to chuck it about.
Daveenty, do you happen to have a contact for Stan's garage?

Jonathan
Hi
I would get the issue 100% out of your mind, IF it strikes deal with it, enjoy that fabulous engine.
 

Steve@Avantgarde

Forum Supporter
Authorised Forum Supporter
Joined
Dec 8, 2009
Messages
7,314
Reaction score
1,955
Location
Bristol/Somerset
Website
www.avantgarde-automotive.co.uk
Your Mercedes
E300 Coupe AMG Line PP/NE, SLR McLaren Roadster, SL55 & C32AMG
Spoke to the local MB dealer here (JCT600) and the manager of the servicing said that in 10 years he'd never heard of it. I asked him for a price and he came back later with £1842 inc. So that's a starting figure, I need to consider whether to spend the money, I can't really afford to chuck it about.
Daveenty, do you happen to have a contact for Stan's garage?

Jonathan

Probably because they have never had one in...?? If he cares to read his technical partnership and TIPs bulletins, he will find a considerable amount of paperwork dedicated to the subject.

Nothing like knowing your product.
 
OP
Jonathan Schofield

Jonathan Schofield

Active Member
Joined
Oct 6, 2017
Messages
37
Reaction score
26
Your Mercedes
C43 Estate 2016
  • Thread Starter
  • Thread starter
  • #20
I know your dealership, bought my last car from them in fact, though it's not something I'd be letting them loose with to be honest as, and I don't mean this disrespectfully, they wouldn't have a clue where to start...

A good independent is where you need to be and I'd usually suggest MSL for something like this though in this case I know that Stan is closer to you. He also knows what he's doing with them as he's done my mates for him and his own S Class is awesome.

Stan's Garage is at: -
140A Commercial Rd
South Shields
NE33 1RQ

Tel: 0191 455 4114

No website as far as I know, just ask for Stan ;)
Well I gave Stan a call this afternoon, what a nice chap. Next time I'm passing South Shields (once a month, maybe) I shall call in and admire his Supercharged S63. The upshot of our conversation is that I am much more relaxed about any potential head bolt problems, his considered opinion is that it is a rare enough event not to worry about.

Still enjoying the car!
 


Welwyn Merx Limited is a family run business with genuine passion, dedication and 25 years of experience dealing with Mercedes-Benz and AMG passenger cars.
Tel: 01707 395999www.welwynmerx.uk
Top Bottom