Just picked up my C55 AMG

[Power_n_Glory]

Will do... Just got to work out how to post them, not done that before on a forum. In the meantime...

I did the spark plugs and gaskets a couple of weekends ago, worth running your fingers around the cover lip before you get going (which is further down than you think particularly the o/s one) to make sure it is really leaking, although it can spray out I understand. Not too bad a job and if your sparks are due, do them now as easier with the covers off. I got my 16 plugs and used NGK Iridiums. The tip on here to replace the breathers at the same time is good, they will be vulcanised and hard as leather by now so order them upfront when you get the gaskets from Germany.

If you do the sparks, I used the cut-down offset 17mm ring spanner trick to make a tool to remove the leads from the plugs and it made the job almost a pleasure!

These cars are not too bad to work on. I was worried and nervous about spannering but have become more confident with the help from good people from this forum.

 

[Power_n_Glory]

Here goes; these are the before and after pics...

 

[Power_n_Glory]

... and some 'during', I missed out one sanding stage.

First one is sanding the coating off, the second is polishing and the third is applying the Ventureshield, a cutting the piece a bit big then carefully trimming with a very new a sharp Stanley knife.

 

[Power_n_Glory]

I should add this is more expensive than the Halfords etc kits, but I could not find one with a convincing tough and semi-permanent protection for the newly exposed acrylic, or whatever it is.

The papers were pennies, the polish a few quid and the Ventureshield about £40.

 

[Grovsie31]

Those headlights look bloomin fantastic, great job. The before pics are exactly what mine look like, they really let the car down IMO.

I've only had the car since Feb its still under warranty from the garage I got it off, so its going back on Tuesday once i've rung him. Not very happy, he has already had it once and said the leak was from the breather hoses being all clogged up causing back pressure or something like that. Well i've wiped away all the oil that was there, and after a few more drives, its back. Can still smell burning oil a little in the cabin, and the engine bay smells of it when you open it.

Do do use a gasket for the covers? I was under the impression it was silicone from MB.

 

[vealige]

The cam covers are gasket the little boxes which also leak are a sealant.

 

[gazz]

I'm sorry for mentioning it again, but my little bit of time with the Gt-R the other week paid off today. I was prepping the car for a customer to run in Goodwood's Spring Sprint event today. We were a little disheartened to discover we were up against Anthony Reid in his Noble M600 in our class. Anyway, at 3PM we had the fastest time of day, and Reid sent his car out to be remapped... After a nail biting finale, we lifted the trophy!! First in class, and fastest time of the day!!!

 

[Grovsie31]

Hmmmm this car is starting to annoy me a little. I love it, but it just seems to have a few niggles.

Ok so its been leaking oil since I got it. Its been back to the garage I got it from twice, first time he fobbed me off and said it was blocked breather hoses, second time his guy has changed 1 side of the top covers on the passenger side, I can tell cause the sealant is a different colour.

Its still leaking. I've just come back from hols where I did a good few miles probably 6-800 in a week and oil has come back. Now it doesn't seem as bad as it was, but its still there, running down the outside of the block near the filler cap. Me old man thought it could be the engine oil cap, and I have googled that some people have had leaks out of this, so I was going to change that, and see. Does anyone know the part number? I assume MB will have these available? Or is an aftermarket one a better idea?

Its due an A service soon, I just want this dam leak sorted properly, and im not convinced the garage that I bought the car from, knows what there doing with this car.

 

[Grovsie31]

Wont let me edit, so heres a pic:

I don't think it is the cap as the pictures show, but it does look like the rubber seal has gone hard in the filler cap.

 

[vealige]

Mine was leaking in a similar place replacing the gaskets is what cured it

 

[Amo]

I think most 55 have leaked from same place at some point of their life. I have mine resealed but think i need to have it redone as the leak is back. Its a lil annoying but dont think too much of it!! these engines hold enough OIL so minor leak will be ok, check your oil level from time to time and get the gasket sorted at your next service.

these are beasts of cars and still very exec for day to day driving.

cloudy Light - i wouldn't spend too much on Halfords kits, you better off getting 1200grit wet dry sand paper (£1 for 2 sheets) and then polish (any paint polish will do) it out. I did the same on my CLS and it came out pretty good but will need to go over it again now as the weather is nicer!

 

[Power_n_Glory]

For such a high performance car these are comparatively simple and that is their joy... although they do have the odd annoying aspect. I think I have had all the classic things needing doing on mine but all relatively simple and cheap to do. I am pleased I didn't lose my wallet to an RS6 or similarly complex Uber estate.

Amo, did you protect the headlights after polishing? I did the same as you but then put a layer of Ventureshield over the top to protect the acrylic from UV.... it also seemed to make good the slight dulness from the polish.

 

[Amo]

No i didnt, although i havent done full restoration as yet. I removed the majority of cloudiness with G3 and polisher, will be doing the wet dry in next few days as its just to remove fine scratches and for that extra shine. Maybe I will try your method of protecting. Do you have a link where you sourced this film please?

 

[Power_n_Glory]

It was from JV Garage on Amazon. I bought a piece of 61x60cm film and that was about right. £32.95 plus postage!

 

[Power_n_Glory]

I should add that there are cheaper 3M films that you can use but Ventureshield seems to offer the best UV protection. I might have over-specked but I reckon my labour is worth the best materials

 

[dan-mb]

Great choice of car! I previously also had a type R (Accord), no more waiting until 4500rpm to go anywhere quickly.
Also +1 for the Meguiar's headlight kit worked a treat just make sure you have a powerful drill or you will be there a while.

 

[Grovsie31]

Mine was leaking in a similar place replacing the gaskets is what cured it

But that's the top covers that's a sealant isn't it?

Well im going to ring him up tomorrow and tell him its still leaking, give him one more chance. Maybe they didn't use the correct sealant or clean it all off properly, who knows.

I also forgot to mention when I was having my tyres fitted, the garage owner managed to pull half of my front bumper off when putting the car on the ramps for wheel alignment, so gotta wait for his insurance to sort that out, which no doubt will take ages. On the plus side iam getting a brand new front bumper lol.

 

[Power_n_Glory]

I believe the Meguirs kit also takes off the surface of the lens without replacing the protective coating, so be prepared to redo it from time to time as the UV does its evil deeds. I read about wipe-on coatings that last a few washes but nothing except the films will offer anything more than a short term.

 

[gazz]

They have used some cheap, poor quality sealant on that breather cover if you ask me. The genuine MB sealant is black, and in my experience is the only stuff that works long-term.

 

[Grovsie31]

Yeah thought so. Well I took it to em today and they said there gonna do both the top smaller covers and the larger ones, ill ring em 2moro and make sure they use MB sealant.

Is there any chance this leak could of found its way to the spark plugs? that's my next concern.