E350 CDI engine blow up

[jdah]

I drive ( or at least did drive ) an E350 cdi Coupe Sport auto. It's only just over 4 months old and I was very happy with it indeed. That was until very recently. I had noticed the symptoms described by others of odd smells from the DPF's but ignored it as 'normal'

My real problem came with a light rattle - above normal diesel clatter. This turned to a heavier rattle, followed by some very strange noises from the engine indeed. All this on the same journey.

Stopping at the roadside did not help, the car shaking like a cement mixer and an engine noise like a bag of marbes in a washing machine. No warning lights on the dash to suggest anything wrong but clearly a serious issue.

Switched off, called 'assistance' and 4 hours later I'm leaving the nearest dealership in a Peugot loan car. The garage eventually called me a couple of days later. No idea what the problem is - 'sounds terminal' - needs a replacemenent engine from Germany. The Peugot estate is not quite the same but I need a car.

Just posting for interest as I'm horrified that this has happened after only 12,000 miles - good job its under warranty but the hassle is a mare - the garage nearest where it happpened is 70 miles from home !

 

[mbenz1]

I drive ( or at least did drive ) an E350 cdi Coupe Sport auto. It's only just over 4 months old and I was very happy with it indeed. That was until very recently. I had noticed the symptoms described by others of odd smells from the DPF's but ignored it as 'normal'

My real problem came with a light rattle - above normal diesel clatter. This turned to a heavier rattle, followed by some very strange noises from the engine indeed. All this on the same journey.

Stopping at the roadside did not help, the car shaking like a cement mixer and an engine noise like a bag of marbes in a washing machine. No warning lights on the dash to suggest anything wrong but clearly a serious issue.

Switched off, called 'assistance' and 4 hours later I'm leaving the nearest dealership in a Peugot loan car. The garage eventually called me a couple of days later. No idea what the problem is - 'sounds terminal' - needs a replacemenent engine from Germany. The Peugot estate is not quite the same but I need a car.

Just posting for interest as I'm horrified that this has happened after only 12,000 miles - good job its under warranty but the hassle is a mare - the garage nearest where it happpened is 70 miles from home !

Not a good start to owning a new E-coupe I suppose... In regard to your engine failure, you are lucky that it was under warranty. I may be wrong here, but I remember that the 350CDI engine had a injector issue/recall which may have applied to your Mercedes ? . But you're getting a totally new engine now - happy days

 

[st4]

Very rare. Sounds with a rattle like that a major bearing has let go, or a piston etc has let go.

 

[Rory]

I wonder why they didn't supply an MB courtesy car?

 

[davidjpowell]

I wonder why they didn't supply an MB courtesy car?

It's managed by Enterprise. From a distant memory it goes something like this.

Mercedes owned - like for like
Mercedes owned - whatever they can get
Enterprise owned - Mercedes
Enterprise owned - suitable car.

If it's going to be a while I'd ask for them to find your way into an MB loan car.

 

[JimboDS]

Wow That's awful.

I hope it's sorted by MB with minimal pain on your side.

 

[ashadam]

That is a nightmare at least it is under warranty, now with regard to the peugeot this should be changed. If dealer not playing ball then try MB UK I presume, If you wanted a peugeot I am sure you would of bought one.

 

[evdok]

Get out that pug asap

 

[ivandraganov]

I wonder why they didn't supply an MB courtesy car?

It would break down,may be!

 

[jdah]

The Pug has gone ( today ! ) swapped out for a 62 plate E250

The only update I have on my ex E350 is that the dealer is trying to locate a 'replacement engine' - not sure where they are looking but I would have started with MB gmbh a couple of weeks ago.

19th Feb initial engine destruction - now 4th March and only a text to say the above.

My tolerance is being tested to the extreme

 

[boxbrownie]

Presumably this is a brand new vehicle, and it is now at a MB main dealer?

If so this should have been a painless (relatively) exercise, with minimal inconvenience to yourself. I cannot believe you are being ar5ed around like this!

 

[ashadam]

The Pug has gone ( today ! ) swapped out for a 62 plate E250

The only update I have on my ex E350 is that the dealer is trying to locate a 'replacement engine' - not sure where they are looking but I would have started with MB gmbh a couple of weeks ago.

19th Feb initial engine destruction - now 4th March and only a text to say the above.

My tolerance is being tested to the extreme

Hopefully you will not have to wait too long for new engine although 4 mths old is it not easier for them to change car.

 

[jdah]

Update on progress - at last, contact from MB


They have located a new engine
It will be fitted this week
I can have my car back

19th feb breakdown to a provisional 14th march return to owner

4 month old 350cdi engine died from a suspected ' big end, piston & crankshaft fault beyond any economic repair' - their words not mine

Cost of new engine £16k + VAT and labour for fitting so will be over £20k to fix , good job its under warranty, but i have lost all confidence in MB

I'll update on how good it all seems after collecting later in the week

Cheers jdah

 

[redbaron]

It happens... my XKR snapped the crankshaft - which was pretty terminal.. had covered 14k at the time - and i ended up in a mondeo hire car.

 

[Dieselman]

Cost of new engine £16k + VAT and labour for fitting so will be over £20k to fix , good job its under warranty, but i have lost all confidence in MB

Best to sell it quick then. I'll give you £15k for it.

 

[Rory]

It happens... my XKR snapped the crankshaft - which was pretty terminal.. had covered 14k at the time - and i ended up in a mondeo hire car.

Happened to my brother-in-law - in a single engined plane! Absolutely unheard of for the crankshaft to snap apparently - the engine is only running a fan blade at 2500RPM.

 

[Dieselman]

Happened to my brother-in-law - in a single engined plane! Absolutely unheard of for the crankshaft to snap apparently - the engine is only running a fan blade at 2500RPM.

Possibly it's had the prop hit the ground on a bad landing and not been documented.

 

[Dieselman]

I had a Vauxhall Cavalier lunch it's engine at 9,000 miles, once.

 

[markjay]

Do you drive 3k miles each month?

 

[Dieselman]

Who's that to?