Turbo woes - CLS 219 320 CDI

[pjpbarnes]

I bought a CLS 320 CDI over a month ago, in London. As the usual process post buying a car from a private seller, I took it in for a service and to get a few issues fixed (like front brakes/tyres).

I thought there was an oil leak somewhere, and unfortunately I was right, it was coming from the Turbo. The car is an '06 model, with 80k miles. I thought this was early for it to fail, but bit the bullet and got it replaced at a cost of £750 + VAT. As part of the other repairs, this pushed up to £1750 for this one garage in particular.

In the weeks to follow, short journeys to the shop really, the car drove fine. I didn't use the car to commute in London. Then I drove to Belfast last Friday, moving house. Just after Birmingham, the car went into Limp Mode again, with Engine Management Light. I thought, ok, as long as it makes the ferry across, I'll get it checked again - maybe it's something minor relating to the oil leak from prior turbo issue.

Low and behold, I left it into a Mercedes specialist in Belfast, who have confirmed it's the turbo again - it has failed and is leaking oil due to a faulty seal. My dilemma is, it's not easy to just drive back to London, show the garage and get a refund. I tried to speak to the owner today but he's not back until tomorrow.

My plan of action is the following, do you think it's going to be as simple as this?

1. Post the faulty turbo back to London garage.
2. Demand a refund on that (minus the labour, of course). They can in turn get refund from their supplier.
3. It's within 30 days of the original repair, and the unit shouldn't have failed.
4. Get a new turbo through the Belfast garage.
5. A refund is preferred, as a replacement will take over a week probably, and the new garage will want to source their own version.

Are reconditioned turbos known to fail on occasion?

 

[Lit91]

I think the best solution is to ask the garage (which has replaced the turbo), to arrange the return of your car from Belfast and fix it F.O.C. The turbo should come with a one year guarantee.

 

[pjpbarnes]

Thanks Litcan91.

That actually sounds a great idea. I wouldn't want them to go through with that, as it would mean the car is out of action for ages, but hopefully faced with one option being recovery from Belfast (+ a ferry!), the easiest solution is a simple refund of the part, minus labour. They were great to deal with, so I hope they offer an amicable solution.

This would also be the best option for the current garage it is with, as they don't want to have the car sitting there with no turbo, which makes it very hard to move in and out, especially being close to 2 tonne! Plus they would prefer to use their choice of turbo.

I just want it back on the road! It's been a nuisance in the 5 weeks of ownership, £2.2k spent and still issues remain.

Mo Problems, Mo Money!

 

[jaymanek]

All depends on what turbo was fitted. Plenty cheap recons out there that are just junk.

Also was the intake motor replaced at same time, IT MUST BE as this is what causes the turbo actuators to fail. They have to be done together if the turbo fault is recorded.
Our supplier make it a condition of their warranty that the intake motor is replaced.

I think you need to return it to the garage. If you dont, you open up a can of worms for future potential issues. A turbo should come with 1-2 years warranty normally.

You could push for a refund, but speaking as a garage owner, I would want to inspect the issue for myself first.

 

[pjpbarnes]

Thanks guys, got the Turbo actuator replaced under warranty, with the help of a few couriers. Back running well now so happy again!