Disaster!

**jmeredith** · 05-22-2008

I was heading out catch the first showing of Indiana Jones, it began to drizzle so I pulled off the roadway to put the top up, all was well, I pulled back onto the roadway accelerated and within a few seconds all kinds of noise was coming from under the hood, smoke billowing out from behind me, I pulled immediately into a parking lot, oil was pouring out from under the engine on the passenger side, I couldn't see from where it originated, but the entire contents of the pan drained, I thought maybe I had hit some road debris, I didn't recall seeing anything and a walk back to the area confirmed there was nothing in the roadway. the oil patten on the asphalt looked as though it had been slung as there was a repetitive cast off splatter in the path I took into the parking lot.

So now my car sits alone in an empty parking lot and I have to get a tow into the dealership tomorrow morning, since i really have no idea what the cause was, I have a bad feeling they will take the opportunity to bend me over the railing on this one...

any thoughts, ideas, prayers... right now I'll take anything

-J

Ikarus · 05-22-2008

Man, I'm so sorry to hear that. I hope it's going to be alright.

**Cold Shot** · 05-22-2008

Oh wow. That is a bad night. Cast off in that pattern may be transfer case or tranny related. Maybe Dan can help the forensics. Sorry J.

N4PWJ · 05-22-2008

oh dear...thats bad news.
dan had a similar problem did he not? maybe he will be able to shed some light on it??
did your car loose power striaght away also? or was it just blue smoke? doesnt sound healthy regardless, but 'touch wood' its nothing to serious.

**-1-** · 05-22-2008

Any previous problems, indications? Out of the blue? Hopefully it something related to the oil cooler (passenger side) and will prove to be an easy fix and not engine related. Keep us informed, good luck.

mtiede · 05-22-2008

Wow. Really bad luck. Hope whatever the problem is can be fixed soon and you will be back on the road...

**jmeredith** · 05-22-2008

No previous problems, a few days ago had the "add 1.5q of oil" so I swung into the dealer and bought the 0/40 added 1q, re-tested and it said it was OK. Im really worries that it might be a thrown rod.... really glad It still under warranty! heading over to get a tow right now, will keep everyone updated

-J

**rlbawk** · 05-22-2008

Sorry to hear that but at least it is still under warranty.

**DansSlk** · 05-22-2008

You didn't get any oil overfill messages or anything did you?

So long as you stopped before you got the oil too low, engine off! message then it will probably be OK, if it ran close to dry then kiss it goodbye.

If it had thrown a rod the engine would have died instantly and the oil leak would not have been slow but steady it would just crap it all out in seconds from a rod sized hole, being the passenger side you do have thing's like the oil cooler that Don mentioned and they can leak so before you panic and think the worst just remember that it has loads of bolt's and fittings that could have failed but are not actual engine parts at all

**jmeredith** · 05-22-2008

Well I did see a piece of aluminum with a sheared off bolt ear, I got pics but havent uploaded them yet. the oil was coming out pretty fast. it was about 1000 feet from first instance too I was pulled into parking lot stopped, as soon as I came to a stop it died. Im here at the Boerne, TX MB dealer, and I must say... the service here has thus far been impeccable, I spoke with service advisor and had rental in about 8 minutes... and got a free massage in the waiting area. hopefully the rest of this scenario plays out equally as well.

photos to follow.

-J

**DansSlk** · 05-22-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by jmeredith

Well I did see a piece of aluminum with a sheared off bolt ear, I got pics but havent uploaded them yet. the oil was coming out pretty fast. it was about 1000 feet from first instance too I was pulled into parking lot stopped, as soon as I came to a stop it died. Im here at the Boerne, TX MB dealer, and I must say... the service here has thus far been impeccable, I spoke with service advisor and had rental in about 8 minutes... and got a free massage in the waiting area. hopefully the rest of this scenario plays out equally as well.

photos to follow.

-J

Was it painted black?

IIIMBPIII · 05-22-2008

Wow I hope everything turns out alright keep us updated

**jmeredith** · 05-22-2008

Here are the photos.... never a good sign when the mechanics gather around and say things like " I have never seen anything like this"

I have 3 holes in my block, one drivers side, one passenger side, and one on the front side of the block... I really sad thing is I wasnt even racing or anything fun when this happened

I am waiting to hear what MB has to say about the replacement motor.

-J

**Zeiser50** · 05-22-2008

Ouch !! !!

**DansSlk** · 05-22-2008

Bloody hell!

I hate to echo the tech's (and i don't find this funny like they seem to, pricks

) but i've never seen that before.

Was that just one failure? The damage seem's all over the place.

**FishtailnZ** · 05-22-2008

WOAH!!! Now that's catastrophic failure! But hey, that's what warranties are for - in one sense it's better it happened this way, than something more minor that may have left hidden damage, waiting to bite you in the ass futher down the road when the warranty IS gone!

Hope they get you taken care of and back on the road soon!

**jmeredith** · 05-22-2008

I think it was just one rod that failed, but as it thrashed about in the block, it punched at anything in its path...

This all happened over a 2 -3 minutes from first sign of trouble to me pulling into the parking lot...

I'm rather depressed about it all

Im wondering if the previous owner might have been rough on her, and I just got unlucky.

Bleh!

-J

**jmeredith** · 05-22-2008

Oh and Dan, I might have just caught the techs in a bad photo, they were actually quite helpfull...

-J

**DansSlk** · 05-22-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by jmeredith

Im wondering if the previous owner might have been rough on her, and I just got unlucky.

Must have been extremly hard on it to cause that, i hate to say it but its more than likely a manufacturing defect.

Quote:

Originally Posted by jmeredith

Oh and Dan, I might have just caught the techs in a bad photo, they were actually quite helpfull...

-J

OK fair enough, i will let them off.

Still tell the one in the middle he need's a haircut.

**alroumi** · 05-22-2008

Sorry to hear about this pal, I hope MB will get you covered.

05-22-2008	#1 (permalink)
jmeredith SLK World Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: TX, USA Vehicle: SLK55 - Diamond Silver Other Toys: Ducati 620 Dark, 22' Catalina Posts: 96 Country: Thanks: 2 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	Disaster! I was heading out catch the first showing of Indiana Jones, it began to drizzle so I pulled off the roadway to put the top up, all was well, I pulled back onto the roadway accelerated and within a few seconds all kinds of noise was coming from under the hood, smoke billowing out from behind me, I pulled immediately into a parking lot, oil was pouring out from under the engine on the passenger side, I couldn't see from where it originated, but the entire contents of the pan drained, I thought maybe I had hit some road debris, I didn't recall seeing anything and a walk back to the area confirmed there was nothing in the roadway. the oil patten on the asphalt looked as though it had been slung as there was a repetitive cast off splatter in the path I took into the parking lot. So now my car sits alone in an empty parking lot and I have to get a tow into the dealership tomorrow morning, since i really have no idea what the cause was, I have a bad feeling they will take the opportunity to bend me over the railing on this one... any thoughts, ideas, prayers... right now I'll take anything -J
	http://www.slkworld.com/

05-22-2008	#3 (permalink)
Cold Shot Elite SLK World Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Scottsdale, AZ Vehicle: 2007 SLK55 AMG Other Toys: 2007 ML 350 Posts: 599 Country: Thanks: 89 Thanked 69 Times in 31 Posts	Oh wow. That is a bad night. Cast off in that pattern may be transfer case or tranny related. Maybe Dan can help the forensics. Sorry J. __________________ "Like a Cold Shot, baby" - Stevie Ray Vaughan To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 2007 Black/Black SLK55 AMG (Green Filters, SmartTop V1, Eurolight Clear Side Markers, R170 Modded Antenna) 2007 Pewter/Black ML350 19xx White/Blonde Wife (Lmtd Edition Model)

05-22-2008	#5 (permalink)
-1- Don Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Virginia USA Vehicle: SLK 55 ///AMG The MON55TER on the block Posts: 2,173 Country: Thanks: 50 Thanked 45 Times in 33 Posts	Any previous problems, indications? Out of the blue? Hopefully it something related to the oil cooler (passenger side) and will prove to be an easy fix and not engine related. Keep us informed, good luck. __________________ To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. *-----------------1-----------------* ---------SLK 55 ///AMG--------- TOP D0WN-URGE 2 DRIVE GOES UP

05-22-2008	#8 (permalink)
rlbawk Elite SLK World Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Hampton, GA Vehicle: 2007 SLK55 AMG Other Toys: 2006 BMW 325 Convert Posts: 259 Country: Thanks: 20 Thanked 8 Times in 8 Posts	Sorry to hear that but at least it is still under warranty. __________________ Randy B To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. Black - Black/Ash, PII pkg, Airscarf, Green Filters, Clear side markers, chrome turn signal bulbs, Smarttop module, 19" TSW Snetterton Wheels, Chrome fins, Custom Windrestrictor.

05-22-2008	#9 (permalink)
DansSlk Super Moderator Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Wales Vehicle: 05 B55S (Brabus 6.1 S) Posts: 6,468 Country: Thanks: 85 Thanked 148 Times in 119 Posts	You didn't get any oil overfill messages or anything did you? So long as you stopped before you got the oil too low, engine off! message then it will probably be OK, if it ran close to dry then kiss it goodbye. If it had thrown a rod the engine would have died instantly and the oil leak would not have been slow but steady it would just crap it all out in seconds from a rod sized hole, being the passenger side you do have thing's like the oil cooler that Don mentioned and they can leak so before you panic and think the worst just remember that it has loads of bolt's and fittings that could have failed but are not actual engine parts at all __________________ One thing you will learn with German cars - If it's simple it ain't happening.

05-22-2008	#2 (permalink)
Ikarus Elite SLK World Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: NorCal Vehicle: 2006 SLK 280 w. 6M Other Toys: 2000 New Beetle GLS w. 5M Posts: 577 Country: Thanks: 20 Thanked 34 Times in 17 Posts	Man, I'm so sorry to hear that. I hope it's going to be alright.

05-22-2008	#4 (permalink)
N4PWJ Elite SLK World Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Belfast,N.Ireland Vehicle: 2006,slk280,carlsson Other Toys: Caterham Posts: 1,414 Country: Thanks: 1 Thanked 3 Times in 3 Posts	oh dear...thats bad news. dan had a similar problem did he not? maybe he will be able to shed some light on it?? did your car loose power striaght away also? or was it just blue smoke? doesnt sound healthy regardless, but 'touch wood' its nothing to serious.

05-22-2008	#6 (permalink)
mtiede Founding Member #7 Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Western New York Vehicle: 2006 SLK 350 Posts: 1,419 Thanks: 71 Thanked 40 Times in 30 Posts	Wow. Really bad luck. Hope whatever the problem is can be fixed soon and you will be back on the road...

05-22-2008	#7 (permalink)
jmeredith SLK World Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: TX, USA Vehicle: SLK55 - Diamond Silver Other Toys: Ducati 620 Dark, 22' Catalina Posts: 96 Country: Thanks: 2 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	No previous problems, a few days ago had the "add 1.5q of oil" so I swung into the dealer and bought the 0/40 added 1q, re-tested and it said it was OK. Im really worries that it might be a thrown rod.... really glad It still under warranty! heading over to get a tow right now, will keep everyone updated -J

05-22-2008	#10 (permalink)
jmeredith SLK World Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: TX, USA Vehicle: SLK55 - Diamond Silver Other Toys: Ducati 620 Dark, 22' Catalina Posts: 96 Country: Thanks: 2 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	Well I did see a piece of aluminum with a sheared off bolt ear, I got pics but havent uploaded them yet. the oil was coming out pretty fast. it was about 1000 feet from first instance too I was pulled into parking lot stopped, as soon as I came to a stop it died. Im here at the Boerne, TX MB dealer, and I must say... the service here has thus far been impeccable, I spoke with service advisor and had rental in about 8 minutes... and got a free massage in the waiting area. hopefully the rest of this scenario plays out equally as well. photos to follow. -J

05-22-2008	#12 (permalink)
IIIMBPIII SLK World Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 68 Country: Thanks: 1 Thanked 29 Times in 8 Posts	Wow I hope everything turns out alright keep us updated

05-22-2008	#14 (permalink)
Zeiser50 Elite SLK World Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Paris Vehicle: SLK 55 AMG Other Toys: Bike : '84 Z1300-6 Posts: 494 Country: Thanks: 5 Thanked 9 Times in 9 Posts	Ouch !! !! __________________ To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. ------Michel------ -SLK 55 AMG 2005-

05-22-2008	#15 (permalink)
DansSlk Super Moderator Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Wales Vehicle: 05 B55S (Brabus 6.1 S) Posts: 6,468 Country: Thanks: 85 Thanked 148 Times in 119 Posts	Bloody hell! I hate to echo the tech's (and i don't find this funny like they seem to, pricks ) but i've never seen that before. Was that just one failure? The damage seem's all over the place. __________________ One thing you will learn with German cars - If it's simple it ain't happening.

05-22-2008	#16 (permalink)
FishtailnZ Buckle up shut up hold on / Moderator Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Nfld., Canada Vehicle: 2006 SLK55 Other Toys: Wife, kids, dogs... Posts: 1,369 Country: Thanks: 259 Thanked 164 Times in 69 Posts	WOAH!!! Now that's catastrophic failure! But hey, that's what warranties are for - in one sense it's better it happened this way, than something more minor that may have left hidden damage, waiting to bite you in the ass futher down the road when the warranty IS gone! Hope they get you taken care of and back on the road soon! __________________ - Bill 2006 SLK55 Caspian Blue/Beige Stock 1/4 mile results: ET 12.72, trap 110.80, 60' 1.90 O.Z. Ultraleggeras, Magnaflow X-pipe, E55K Airbox, Windrestrictor. Some guys they just give up living and start dying little by little, piece by piece. Some guys come home from work and wash up and go racin' in the street... - B. Springsteen To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

05-22-2008	#17 (permalink)
jmeredith SLK World Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: TX, USA Vehicle: SLK55 - Diamond Silver Other Toys: Ducati 620 Dark, 22' Catalina Posts: 96 Country: Thanks: 2 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	I think it was just one rod that failed, but as it thrashed about in the block, it punched at anything in its path... This all happened over a 2 -3 minutes from first sign of trouble to me pulling into the parking lot... I'm rather depressed about it all Im wondering if the previous owner might have been rough on her, and I just got unlucky. Bleh! -J

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05-22-2008	#18 (permalink)
jmeredith SLK World Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: TX, USA Vehicle: SLK55 - Diamond Silver Other Toys: Ducati 620 Dark, 22' Catalina Posts: 96 Country: Thanks: 2 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	Oh and Dan, I might have just caught the techs in a bad photo, they were actually quite helpfull... -J

05-22-2008	#20 (permalink)
alroumi Moderator Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Kuwait City, Kuwait Vehicle: 2006 Kleemann Designo Mocha Black SLK55 AMG Other Toys: 2007 Ebony Jaguar XKR Coupe' and 06 Black Cayenne S Posts: 6,084 Country: Thanks: 247 Thanked 188 Times in 111 Posts	Sorry to hear about this pal, I hope MB will get you covered. __________________ 06 Kleemann Designo Mocha Black SLK55 AMG 06 Porsche Cayenne S 07 Jaguar XKR Coupe' I use the Torque and keep the HP for my Steak Sauce!