C220 CDI SportCoupe Engine blowout

[jasew]

Newly registered lurker here ,and I'm in need of some advice.

I bought my 51 plate C220CDI 19 months ago - at the time it was showing 55k. Since then I have added around 40k to it, and had 1 A and 2 B services (as well as brakes all round) ,always on time and always at the same Merc dealer I bought it from.

On Monday I got a rattling noise from the engine, which got incredibly loud, followed by a puff of white smoke from the exhaust and a complete loss of power. The AA took me to the nearest Merc dealer, who had a look and said it seemed pretty serious. They arranged to have it shipped to my original dealer for them to look at.

They have just phoned me to say that it appears the engine is completely kaput - no specific details other than bits of metal fell out of it and if had cracks & holes in! He is going to give me more details later/tomorrow.

Anyway, he informed me that it will need a new engine, at the cost of £4500 for the parts alone, but he will see what Merc are prepared to do for me.

Now the warranty ended in January - it had previously been in when the starter motor failed and was replaced under warranty, so I'm not sure what would be acceptable as an offer from them...hence my asking your advice.

My outlay on the car thus far is: car was £13k plus £2.5k in servicing with the same dealer in the last 19 months. I certainly can't afford to pay £5k for a rebuild.

So, firstly, anyone know if this has happened to anyone else? And is it reasonable that a well serviced Merc diesel engine should die like this after 95k? And what sort of deal would you be looking for/expect to get?

Thanks in advance for your help

 

[Dieselman]

You need to get more details but it does sound fairly bad. I suspect the turbo gave out and sent metal into the engine.

having a replacement 2nd hand engine fitted by a different garage might be the cheapest option if MB don't play ball.

 

[jasew]

He didn't mention the turbo, but that sounds possible in terms of the metal found in the engine. Not being much of a techie, is that something you would expect to happen at 95k? Or would any wear be checked at service?

Apologies for my general ignorance!

 

[Dieselman]

Not something I would expect and neither is a CDI engine going bang at 95K either. The smoke and metal parts bits just fits. Another alternative is the timing chain gave out.
Press Mercedes for a goodwill claim, they may stump up the whole cost given full service history and no evidence of any tampering.

 

[glojo]

Not something I would expect and neither is a CDI engine going bang at 95K either. The smoke and metal parts bits just fits. Another alternative is the timing chain gave out.
Press Mercedes for a goodwill claim, they may stump up the whole cost given full service history and no evidence of any tampering.

It is certainly uncommon and I wonder if there might be an unknown historical event that might be the cause?

Can you prove beyond any reasonable doubt that this engine has not been the victim of a lack of lubricant? I am only asking as you are hoping for a goodwill gesture and I feel your case might be strenghtened if you can prove how the engine was well looked after and always spoilt.

It might have been advantegeous if this was a known weakness, but sadly this engine is extremely reliable and used throughout the whole Mercedes-Benz range. (we have it in our Sprinter) I will cross my fingers and wish you luck.

Regards
John

 

[A210AMG]

Sorry to hear about your problems,


You also have the issue when you come to sell the car though with 'new engine fitted at 95K' I know it may make some people think thats good, but I would be concerned to why?

So extra depreciation maybe?

If mercedes do not may / contribute I would see what a breakers would do you an engine for?

Also bear in mind that actual skills to fix something seems lacking at the stealershios, they only seem able to replace complete bits..

So it may still be wroth having it moved to a independant just for a second opinion.

In any case best wait for their full deognostic?

 

[jasew]

Thanks for your advice - I guess it's now just a case of sitting & waiting for their full diagnosis

Can you prove beyond any reasonable doubt that this engine has not been the victim of a lack of lubricant? I am only asking as you are hoping for a goodwill gesture and I feel your case might be strenghtened if you can prove how the engine was well looked after and always spoilt.

Well the car was serviced regularly at the dealership, and I regularly did the test to check the levels, all of which were seemingly ok. Just rememberd though, a couple of days before the blowout a red warning did come on to say that I should reduce the oil level. This stayed on for about 5 mins, then went off and didn't return. I did an oil check when I stopped and it indicated it was ok. As it had only been serviced the week before I (probably rather stupidly) didn't worry about it. Could that have any bearing?

 

[fabes]

Thanks for your advice - I guess it's now just a case of sitting & waiting for their full diagnosis



" As it had only been serviced the week before I (probably rather stupidly) didn't worry about it. Could that have any bearing?

"

The fact it was only serviced the week before it let go is a more interesting / concerning point, no?

You may need an independent second opinion - where are you - one of the members here maybe able to assist

 

[glojo]

Well the car was serviced regularly at the dealership, and I regularly did the test to check the levels, all of which were seemingly ok. Just rememberd though, a couple of days before the blowout a red warning did come on to say that I should reduce the oil level. This stayed on for about 5 mins, then went off and didn't return. I did an oil check when I stopped and it indicated it was ok. As it had only been serviced the week before I (probably rather stupidly) didn't worry about it. Could that have any bearing?

Olly is our resident expert and i am wondering if this warning would have been logged somewhere within the car's little black box?

We once had an issue with a 220CDI which needed the engineers to come down from Milton Keynes. These folks connected a diagnostic computer to the vehicle which quite literally printed out reams of paper documenting the history of the engine. I'm sure it would even say the name of the person that drilled for the oil that was eventually poured into the engine. (joke)

There was quite literally hundreds of sheets of paper which displayed a very interesting history of engine??

It would be easy to suggest that Mercedes-Benz might be interested in getting their hands on this engine to perhaps learn from it, but in the real World they might just say 'Tough!'

If the technicians overfilled the engine with oil, then that is not good, but if the light did not stay on then could this have just been a marginal error? I would not have been a happy bunny, but that is history.

Regards
John

 

[jasew]

"

The fact it was only serviced the week before it let go is a more interesting / concerning point, no?

You may need an independent second opinion - where are you - one of the members here maybe able to assist

I live in York - the car broke down near Leicester, but has since been lifted back to the dealer in York.

 

[fabes]

I live in York - the car broke down near Leicester, but has since been lifted back to the dealer in York.

Ah

that would be a bit of a drive for Olly

 

[jasew]

Well I have just spoken to the dealer, who says that Merc have rejected the inital approach to sort it free of charge, or for a contribition towards it - and that the cost would be £6.5k in total!

Having had a look through the Warranty Owner's Handbook I got with the car, I would have been covered under Tier 1 (less than 60k at purchase). In the blurb it makes no mention whatsoever of a 12 moth period, just that claims would be declined if the mileage had exceeded 100k, which it hasn't.

As it doesn't mention 12 months anywhere in the book (I've checked & double checked!), do you think I have a valid case for persuing this?

 

[nick mercedes]

So, firstly, anyone know if this has happened to anyone else? And is it reasonable that a well serviced Merc diesel engine should die like this after 95k? And what sort of deal would you be looking for/expect to get?

Thanks in advance for your help

Some last for ever, some die young.

If you get no joy from MB, get an indi to fit a used engine.

 

[imadoofus]

do you think I have a valid case for persuing this?

I'd have said that if there's a chance of saving you some money, then yes, it's worth pursuing. Might be useful to find out exactly what went wrong though.

 

[jasew]

Just had them on again - Merc won't make any contribution under warranty, so he's going to the goodwill department (?) to see what they can do.

They also say that, as it was nothing to do with the recent service (though I guess they would say that), they won't strip the engine down to see what caused it unless Merc authorise it or I pay for it. They did say they didnt think it was the timing chain, as the damage appears to be at the bottom of the engine, rather than the top.

Will keep you posted

 

[davidjpowell]

Given that is has happened just after a service and they are denying any liability I would seriously consider getting an engineers opinion before letting the dealer strip it down in any case. It's different than if they say hands up guv!

In my experience MB goodwill department can be quite generous so it may be worth waiting to see what compromise they come up with.

Regards

David

 

[fabes]

Dealer playing the white man is to be expected, but if his guys serviced it only a week before, he'll be feeling worried on the inside.

Agree the advice given, await the 'goodwill' dept (they replaced my turbo just out of warranty), but don't let that garage go at it before getting a record / photos and a (recommended) independent look at it if not.

I don't know who is close enough to you here to be of help (from a trade business whose authority would be recognised if the dealer is at fault) or who would want to get involved as it would get messy

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