Replacement engine needed for 2010 E350 CDi

Ductman

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I haven't been on the forum for quite some time but I hope somebody can help please. It isn't for me as both my Mercedes (touch wood) are currently running well, but for a very good friend who seems to have a big problem with his E Class and I'd really like to help if I can.

Background to this is last weekend they were about to start a return journey from a short holiday in Nice, S.France back home to Hampshire and upon starting the engine, they heard a loudish ticking noise. He tells me he didn't do any basic checks like checking oil level etc or calling in to a local MB dealers but, instead, rather inadvisedly decided that as the engine otherwise appeared to be running ok, they would head for home. They proceeded to drive at a continuous and fairly high speed up the autoroute system and he tells me that although the engine was perhaps becoming more noisy and starting to run quite roughly, it didn't appear to lack power and continued to run. I should add at this point that, lovely chap though he is, my friend has absolutely zero mechanical knowledge or empathy! I can't believe it was still running well but as I say, he is a complete mechanical numpty.

Anyhow, they joined the train at the tunnel and back in the UK, they had only been on the road for about 2 miles, doing more than 70, when there was a loud mechanical noise followed by the engine cutting out and they coasted to a halt on the hard shoulder. Again, somewhat inadvisedly, he proceeded to try starting the engine and carried on cranking it, despite the previous mechanical noises! He eventually accepted it wasn't going to start and had the car recovered home.

The following day, he called out his local mobile service guy, thinking he could fix the problem and get him back on the road. Service fella, upon hearing the story, apparently just shook his head and said it sounds like the engine is completely fubared and he will need a replacement engine. Friend then phoned our local MB dealership to be told a replacement engine is c.£14,000 + labour so, out of desperation, and knowing I knew a lot more about cars than him, phoned me yesterday afternoon to ask what he should do. His predicament is exacerbated by the fact he was calling me from the airport before they boarded a plane to China for a 3 week holiday, so he didn't have any time to get anything arranged.

From what he has told me, I very strongly suspect it was a failing turbo causing the initial noise on startup and it finally failed in spectacular fashion, probably with broken turbo components being ingested into the engine. I meant to say the car has completed around 115,000 miles, so a failed turbo is very likely to be the culprit at that mileage, I should imagine.

With the car in good condition, it is probably only worth around £7.5 at best, so depending on cost of repair, it maybe only good for scrap, which is probably what I would opt for, but he wants to keep it and get it repaired as economically as possible. In his absence I've said I will make some enquiries for him with a view to finding a reputable company who could supply and fit either a reconditioned or replacement engine so can anybody please recommend a reputable and reliable company preferably, towards the south of England but will consider anybody who is good? Ideally, he would like a company who could collect the car, to save the problem of getting it recovered to their works.

I have found one company called "Engine-reconditioning Ltd" who seem to be a franchise type operation with 9 workshops dotted about the country the nearest, of which, is in Oxford, I think. Has anybody heard of or experienced this company and can comment at all please? All other recommendations much appreciated too please.

Before anybody says it, I've already told him he's an idiot for just pressing on after hearing the original ticking noise. At that stage, it probably only needed a recon turbo and he'd have been on his way, albeit a day or two late perhaps! I think he now understands the error of his ways.:(
 

John Laidlaw

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Hmm, not good - I’d hazard the lack of oil to begin started and ended the issue. Best bet is a breakers to see if a second hand crash car is around with a donor engine
 

malcolm E53 AMG

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Sorry to hear this and thinking about it I think he would be wise to take your advice and scrap it. There is no easy solution and would need to incur a 5k minimum (donor or recon engine + labour) spend to put things right bearing in mind that a 10 plate e class with 120k miles can be had for circa £6k
 

vtaylor78

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Definitely beyond economical repair, best bet would be to invest the repair costs into a new vehicle.
 
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Ductman

Ductman

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I agree entirely and that is what I would do but logic doesn't always play a part in peoples decisions I'm afraid.
 

umblecumbuz

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With the feeling your friend has for his car, he would probably be more satisfied in the end if a replacement engine - and a garage who is willing to fit it - was found.
I would guess that, even if that was not the cheapest way forward, he would prefer it.
Does that sound a reasonable summary?
 

sonic

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With the feeling your friend has for his car, he would probably be more satisfied in the end if a replacement engine - and a garage who is willing to fit it - was found.
I would guess that, even if that was not the cheapest way forward, he would prefer it.
Does that sound a reasonable summary?
Agreed with your comments.
 

LostKiwi

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Hmm, not good - I’d hazard the lack of oil to begin started and ended the issue. Best bet is a breakers to see if a second hand crash car is around with a donor engine
I'd agree. The turbo is possibly one of the only things that MAY be salvageable.
Turbos don't tick when they fail - they may screech or whine or make no noise at all.
I'd also suspect the final loud mechanical noise was a con rod deciding it had had enough and it was time to look for another home... If so there will probably be a big hole in the side of the block somewhere.
That being the case a replacement engine will be the only option as reconditioning companies tend to work on exchange basis and want something serviceable to repair
 
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gassed up

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Same thing happened to a good chum with a 100,000 mile S350. Took it for its annual test and as the tester drove it out of the workshop the engine started to race then coughed and died. It had swallowed its turbo. Local Merc man offered to fit a used engine for £6,500 approx. An obvious uneconomic repair he decided against it and sold the carcass for £2,000.
 

EmilysDad

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EXMERCTECH

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A quick search on Ebay = £2700.00 Fitted

Also note the turbo may shot so add another £600+

The following works are carried out as part of service provided:
  • Engine block throughly cleaned & surfaces treated
  • Engine block surfaces machined flat
  • Tolerances checked on wearable items
  • Oil pumps inspected/replaced if necessary
  • Cylinder head skimmed or replaced if necessasry
  • New OEM oil seals installed
  • New OEM valve seals installed
  • Valve seats machined
  • Valve lapped to ensure a tight seal
  • Block cylinders inspected for cracks
  • New cylinder liners fitted
  • Cylinderds machined to factory specification
  • New uprated gas nitride piston rings fitted
  • Connecting rods inspected & machined if necessary
  • Crank shaft crack tested, ground & polished to specifications
  • New OEM big end bearings fitted
  • New OEM main bearings fitted
  • New OEM spec eristic head gasket fitted
  • All bolts torqued to specification in accordance with Autodata
  • Assembled units oil pressure tested
  • Assembled units compression tested



PLEASE NOTE:
All engines are fitted on an EXCHANGE basis. If your existing engine head & block is not serviceable, cracked or damaged beyond repair a SURCHARGE will be applied.
 

Flyinspanner

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Phone a specialist MB breakers.... there are some around, just check that it’s EXACTLY the same engine type or you may have sensor/ECU issues.


If your mate drove it with little oil, it may be catastrophic failure ie crank snapped internal block damage or even holed block if it’s thrown a rod. Block could be scored beyond rebore/ honing limits.... valvetrain....

Hopefully he will become a bit more mechanically sympathetic.... bloomin expensive lesson though - hope it works out ok
 
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Jim2

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Looks like it will need a bit of examination as a first step to see if its salvageable as an exchange unit, ( or what) and take it from there. Be interesting to see how it will work out, I wish him "Good Luck" with it.
 
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Ductman

Ductman

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Phone a specialist MB breakers.... there are some around, just check that it’s EXACTLY the same engine type or you may have sensor/ECU issues.


If your mate drove it with little oil, it may be catastrophic failure ie crank snapped internal block damage or even holed block if it’s thrown a rod. Block could be scored beyond rebore/ honing limits.... valvetrain....

Hopefully he will become a bit more mechanically sympathetic.... bloomin expensive lesson though - hope it works out ok

I think it's a hope too far to imagine he will become more mechanically sympathetic. I've known him for 30 years or so and the depths of his mechanical inability and understanding never cease to amaze me. I'm surprised he even managed to pass his driving test in the first place to be honest.:eek:
 

Taffy7hfa

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I think you have to assume the engine is toast & scrap value only, In my experience "projects" like these almost always become horrendous money pits. I would advise your friend to cut his losses and ebay it.
 

jaymanek

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Unfortunately the later 642 is susceptible to bottom end issues. I can't see what the actual diagnosis is? Is it seized?

I have had several of these shoot a rod through the block. Given that we sell hundreds of 642 engined cars a year, we have only replaced a handful.

They tend to go suddenly with no warning. They generally spin the main bearing cap.

If this is a bottom end issue, avoid those eBay and exchange engine type places. Many of them are scam operations, sourcing engines from car parks in the night.

Your best bet wil be one of the reputable breakers such as dronsfields or prestige all parts.

There are some really shady operations around at the moment specialising in 642 and 651 engines. If its too cheap or too easy, that's usually the give away.

Good luck.
 


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