Urgent W221 S320 CDI Engine Died - HELP PLEASE!!

[alim]

Dear all

I have a W221 S320 CDI (V6), 2008 model, 56000 miles. Purchased secondhand from Mercedes dealer 2 yrs ago and FMBSH.

Yesterday, I was driving on the motorway at a gentle 70mph, accelerated gently to move lane, experienced a small judder (I didn't hear sounds but had the music on) and the car then started to loose power, engine management light came on. I moved on the hard shoulder and as I came to a stop then engine cut out and would not start again.

Car was recovered and have taken it an independent Mercedes specialist (via a recovery truck). Breakdown service thought it was the fuel pump problem. Merc specialist has taken a quick look and thinks it is more serious than fuel pump problem and thinks crank not turning probably due to a timing chain failure-he is fairly certain the timing chain has come off.

The mechanic says serious engine problem, need to open up the engine to have a look internally, says possibly needs new engine or at the very least an engine rebuild. Mechanic quoting £300 to open engine up and look at cylinders, valves etc. Is this reasonable?

I am a very gentle driver and service the car meticulously and I cannot believe I would develop a serious engine problem at 56,000 miles.

Any ideas what this could be and what the best way to proceed would be

Is this a possible/common issue with the 320 CDI engine (V6)

I would be extremely grateful for any help or advice you can offer

Many thanks

Alim

 

[Xtractorfan]

Front crankshaft bearing on the V6 engine has been known to give problems, but I'd get a second opinion, just to be sure, also not sure what MBs position on this is failure,

 

[Miffy]

you might want to request your post gets moved to the engine forum.

 

[Cole@MBS]

Have heard thro the vine (dealers) of this 642 lump breaking chains, not seen one myself as yet......

 

[GottleibDaimler]

I would seriously consider taking the vehicle to a main dealer as I feel that there would HAVE to be a pretty hefty contribution from MB to this repair based on the age and mileage of the car.

 

[television]

There was 1 post on here in 2007 with a broken chain, many on the jeep that uses this engine

 

[alim]

Already plugged on Star, mechanic says low fuel pressure fault and another fault implying camshaft not moving which implies to him timing chain has gone

I haven't taken to dealer as even if I a significant goodwill contribution from MBUK, the cost is still likely to eye watering. Do you think MBUK would do a 100% goodwill contribution considering age and mileage?

What options do I have in this sort of case? What is the most cost effective option here? People have mentioned engine rebuild to me vs second hand engine vs reconditioned engine. Any suggestions please most gratefully received

 

[toby1]

Does it have main dealer service history?

 

[alim]

Full MB service history, although due a service now. Was serviced a year ago at local MB dealer

 

[toby1]

Should count in your favour for a goodwill claim then

 

[The Pan Man]

I would certainly be speaking to the dealer who carried out the last service before I pay anyone anything.

 

[GottleibDaimler]

I would certainly be speaking to the dealer who carried out the last service before I pay anyone anything.

I can't see that the last service would have much to do with the fault.

 

[yorkshire1]

sale of goods act

I would have thought it to be relevant

the car has to be fit for purpose .... "high end vehicle" 50000+ miles is that a reasonable engine life methinks not ??? chase them

 

[television]

Interesting about picking up these things on a service, lots of complaints out there for a noisy chain at start up on this engine, and the start of this happening

 

[alim]

Here's an update. I have transferred the vehicle to a local MB dealer now. They have looked at it, conclusion is that they say the timing chain is not moving and to investigate the problem further they need to open the engine, this will cost 18hours labour, £2.5k

They cannot raise anything with MB UK until they have diagnosed the problem, they would like me to authorise them to go ahead and open the engine

This is very unfair as clearly an engine at this mileage/age should not be failing like this

I would be grateful for your suggestions/advice

 

[toby1]

18 hours? Are they wearing stetsons?

 

[brandwooddixon]

No way it would take 18 hours to determine that the timing chain had broken surely.

Probably a fixed MB price.

 

[television]

Unless the crankshaft is broken what is there to investigate, if the chain is intact and not broken what else is there

 

[malcolm E53 AMG]

Sorry to hear of your predicament, timing chain, crankshaft or camshaft failure are few and far between thankfully but everyone on this forum knows it will happen occassionally to one of us.

There are options to consider:

1 - Before the work commences on opening the engine discuss with the dealer principal your options and the likelihood of a major contribution form MB

2 - If the dealer won't commit to a mutually agreeable cost re opening the engine, which should be heavily discounted bearing in mind the cars history etc, consider taking the car to a recommended independent, where you will pay half the labour cost for the work per hour.

3 - It might be better to take the car straight to an independent due to the fact that the best option will be to source a secondhand engine from salvage should that be necessary.

4 - See if MB will take the car in part exchange against a used car on their forecourt. bearing in mind your car is probably worth 15k trade-in if it were in A1 condition you may be able to negotiate a deal whereby you achieve a reasonable trade-in price.

Hope this helps!

 

[GottleibDaimler]

I would suggest that you perhaps advise the dealer that you will remove the car, have it stripped down independently and then re-delivered for investigation.

That being said, the book time for replacing an engine is less than you have been quoted. Perhaps it is worth speaking to MBUK - they will raise a 'Compass' case and enter into a three-way dialogue with yourself and the dealer.

Finally, if the job genuinely takes 18 hours, they could charge half their labour rate and still make plenty of dough.