I Bought An ML350 From Salvage Auction With "Undercarriage Damage" But It's Hidding A Big Secret!!!!

[@erasmusvenport8830]

You have the potential for recourse via the auction house since the car was miss-represented, you should certainly contact them and see what they are willing to offer you in compensation since you definitely have a case. The listed undercarriage damage was listed to cover them for the damaged they caused with their poor handling of the car in their yard.

[@danieljwoodhouse]

As Salvage Rebuilds UK have said in the past with snapped cambelts or chains, you will probably need to replace the cams as the could be out by millimetres due to the valves being pushed back into the lobes. They probably listed it as undercarriage due to the suspension being so low. Most of the time, they get no input from the dealer / insurance company as to what the issue is.

[@erasmusvenport8830]

With the cams it depends if they were pressed on (like the ones SRUK changed) or if they are cut from a single billet, you should be able to find out from some engine research 🙂

[@leemilan5693]

what a nightmare, your a brave man best of luck great content.

[@niged]

I'd get back onto the seller and ask for some money back!

[@rhiantaylor3446]

With the cams out, I would be tempted to do a leak down test to quickly confirm all the valves are seating properly when closed and thus confirm they are not bent or broken.

[@karter5351]

You got some sphericals taking on a non runner Merc like this coming off the back of that Audi V8

[@paultaylor9652]

Between this and the Mini you've definitely got your work cut out Phil, good luck whichever route you take.

[@georgedaville4662]

You are definitely not getting a rub of the green are you Phil! I would take the auction for misrepresentation mate. I thought chains lasted forever, but it would seem not! I hope you get a change of luck, no bent valves and just broken rockers. Never seen a Merc V6 being pulled apart - good content 👍😎

[@117077]

worth a chance Phil I've seen other tubers fix cars with snapped chains and belts because the rockers are designed to snap and not damage valves and pistons and they all run perfect when they where fixed

[@cooltools007]

Just had to re subscribe cos my subscription disappeared, I thought you had not put a video out all very strange, congratulations on 20 k and me again 🤣🤣👍

[@Rick-sl7iw]

Go for it Phil will make great content for the channel but I’d definitely try to get cash back from where you got it

[@mikaeljonsson4686]

Great video! Tough about the engine but I'll keeping my fingers crossed that it's not too damaged... 🤞

[@SeriousAboutSalvage]

Thanks Micheal, all good fun 😀

[@alextripp1230]

Hi Phil, a bit of a disappointment, but.. could still be good money in it if it only needs a chain mate. You've got it there so may as well have a go Phil. Cheers, Alex.

[@rsoppy735]

Yes you have a chance. Go for it to everything is fixable.

[@cooltools007]

Get it done mate,.. could of been alot worse really,.. good luck and I look forward to to it

[@trevorking7902]

Will it need new cams phil?, sometimes the lugs on the camshaft move a little,, so then it will be out of time?, just a thought.

[@heavydiesel]

Leak down test with cams out would test valve sealing.

[@pawilson1978]

That sucks. I'd be inclined to rebuild if funds allow. Car prices are nuts so surely some margin to be had. And ofc content for all! 😂👍

[@shanebrookes1878]

Exspensive job either way!! Cars worth nowt without engine, if ya got it cheap well worth getting engine done!!

[@jtjt4382]

That's a big difficult engine to work on ,gearbox etc out to get sump off etc etc ,4 cams to time up on a chain , changed rods on them before proper twat off a job , looking forward to it tho !

[@stephendutton3766]

Cheeky you know what's. Lucky you know the right people. Good luck, and let's hope its the easier option you described of just replacing the chain.

[@markbennett9043]

That air filter looked like a pollen filter. Never worked on one of these though

[@tommytee8387]

Problem is if it’s described as a Non runner you have to assume the very worst case scenario when making a bid..the undercarriage damage is a diversion making you think that it’s possibly just a flat battery issue which is possible when these vehicles have been sitting around for weeks/months..Non runners are a huge gamble..stay well

[@declancaffrey1696]

Yeah go for it Phil might be a good runner with a new chain

[@howardbeer5214]

Its called an INS scam and someone took a back hander to write it off when it was not accident damage !!

[@adrianwilliams717]

Hopefully its like that Astra GTC Phil! 🤞

[@JamesAllen300]

I have seen this a few times on OM642 engines. Some with low mileage and some with 150,000 miles plus. It's normally one of two things. Either the chain guides or the tensioner. The petrol V6 and V8 also had issues with their chains etc but that was more down to wear on the balance shaft sprocket which added more wear to the chain. If it was me, I would put new chains, tensioner and possibly guides too especially as you have no real way of knowing how the car was driven before and looked after. The chains in there don't normally just break. They will make a noise for a while before the inevitable happens so I would imagine that the previous owner just ignored it.

[@stevegrundy9817]

Good call go for it .enjoy ever video you put out .

[@michaelstevens7533]

Another challenge for ya phil. Gonna be fun watching this one

[@garyhockaday8022]

With the work involved .... I would say it’s about the numbers .. I what it’s value would be on sale ...

[@olivers.6420]

You are getting from accident more and more to engine repair, it might be worth to work with an engine rebuilder. I can only agree with others here. These auction houses cause so much more damage to cars as they don't care and don't know how to handle cars. I agree 100% with you, it is worth a try.

[@stuartd920]

Hi Phil. Fingers crossed it will be an easy fix . Bit naughty description from the salvage yard .

[@alanwaters1299]

Good luck with the engine Phil looking forward to the next video

[@nicp5526]

Nice looking motor shame the auction company wasn't a bit more upfront. Have you considered getting a half or full engine?

[@markb5985]

Box it back up and move it on, just a house of pain. Mini too 👍

[@MyMike1946]

Worth the gamble, chain kit and rockers should sort it 👍👍

[@mikejones-uw7rp]

HI phil, so is this merc still a cat car?

[@dennispowell7719]

Good luck with the car Phil well worth repairing tho keep on going mate 👍

[@deniscudahy4549]

Bloody hell,lady luck not shining on you my friend 👍

[@SeriousAboutSalvage]

All good content for the channel mate 👍

[@dord1954]

Ive seen this happen on other engines and rockers and chain has sorted it so I hope it works on this, be interesting for me as I have the same engine in my Merc 👍😀

[@alancampbell1008]

The engine air filters are like that with all the plastic and there are two of them, one for each side of the v. Costs about 100 quid for the 2 of them. Battery position is a pain in the butt. Check the key and immobiliser don't need realigned...mine has needed it twice, once when the key battery ran a bit low and again for no real reason. To check the key battery press any of the buttons and a little red light will flicker on the 'blade' portion. No light means the battery is low and it might have lost it's coding. I chased faults trying to work it out before going to a MB specialist. Mine has AMG alloys and has sometimes shed a wheel bolt even though they are torqued correctly. Selling mine cos it's a complete pain.

[@kevinmills5293]

A leak down test would tell you if there are bent valves. If there are broken rockers, I would think the valves are bent.

[@kennethcroll6972]

hi take the spark plugs out and put a camera to look in side, see if the pistons are ok

[@colinwest9211]

I think some one else has looked at it saw the damage then put it back in the auction that's why that filter housing was off unlucky Phil get rid of it . Put it back into to auction for someone else to sort it out

[@lesbaty8919]

This will make great content, are the cams one piece or the type that have pressed on lobes that move round instead of bending the valve stem

[@Mark...]

It’s disappointing to see the amount of damage caused by these auction houses, I understand they need to move them about easily but there must be a better way than damaging the cars. 😏

[@bendude6748]

I try not to buy non runners for that reason as they tend not to pick up the running cars with the forks

[@davidpitts9414]

Copart are the worst for it, whether a car is running or not. If you’re there to collect the car itself in person they’re a lot more careful but if you’re having it delivered I’ve had nothing but problems. The last 4 deliveries have all had the lower arms crushed where the fork just smashes into the underside to pick them up. All exactly the same marks and places

[@pph4204]

If taking the time to take off the cam covers and extract the cams, would it make sense to take off the head(s) to double check the valves and piston tops?

[@weyayeman4336]

I feel for you phil, your having some bad luck lately with these expensive cars, if i were you id stick to run and drive

[@davep4589]

Phil a chain and rockers might get it to run, I’m sure you will check everything, my only concern would be getting it to run is one thing, but if damage you don’t know about how long will the engine last after it’s been sold, good luck with it mate I’m sure you will do everything you can for longevity

[@marcusjourneaux1008]

Go for it Phil...

[@rajjuttla]

Hi Mate what happen to the Audi RS6 with the seized engine

[@jasonhobbs5611]

I'd be in touch with the auction house and tell them straight it was miss sold. Try and get a couple of hundred quid back as compensation. Let them know you have a You Tube channel where you feature the cars that come from there auctions. You have nothing to lose at this point.

[@GymChess]

What a nightmare for a car. A fortune to buy, a fortune to own and a fortune to repair.

[@warty5007]

Bring it on Phil can’t Waite 👏👏

[@gbbug01]

Great content keep the faith and good luck with the ml

[@daviddominiak7790]

Nice car and it will make great content which should make a lovely car in the end up!

[@marketmalc]

It would seem that someone has been less than truthful to move it on. Come on mate, you can turn it!!

[@tonyjones7372]

Salvage Yards are dangerous people to deal with. Rather you than me with that engine strip, too complicated for me! But sure you will sort it.

[@tomjohntig]

Send the bigger back to CoPart they miss listed it and should refund you the payment in full. Good luck Phil in whatever yo decide to do. Tom

[@a11csc]

can you not see into misrepresentation on this phil

[@harrynewbrook5103]

!00% insurance scam,Phil if you have sense get rid of it quick and do yourself a favour.That car has a story to tell.

[@simonnormys496]

nice car,, expect someone got a price from merc to do work,, or scammed insurance

[@danbarnes4069]

How comes the chains snap on these after 120~k, is it lack of decent oil servicing? 'long life' oil etc?

[@derekrand5527]

Don't think I could buy from auction after seeing the tricks they pull

[@christopherjohnson6056]

Phil have you got no redress over description of damage?

[@hussainkhan6630]

Big job mate

[@tristanpage6805]

Keep going. It’ll make some great content

[@cass276]

Get onto the auction house regarding a wrongly described vehicle, and see what they say regarding some money back. Clearly the car has been miss-sold.

[@martinfield1484]

Not good news Phil I hope it’s as straight forward job as you think it maybe good luck on this one

[@markfoden765]

Can you not go back to the auction and tell them its not as described and sold and get them to collect it and get your money back,also is this the same auction place that damaged your front bumper on the mini if it is maybe you need to avoid this auction place,do you look at manheim at all,Jason of tyre kickers just bought a Renault that was miss described so long story short he's been compensated by manheim,just a thought, good luck

[@funksteruk2]

fingers crossed Phil

[@robertdiamond172]

Undercarriage must be the new name for Copart

[@weyayeman4336]

Done you up like a kipper on this one. No undercarriage damage whatsoever

[@malcolmpyott3887]

Auction site needs telling see if you can get some compensation back toward your engine fix

[@frankyates7910]

very interesting,hope it runs in the end???? best of luck

[@cmac5110]

Once fixed mate it will be a lovely car

[@muratuman7408]

Lickdown test all the cylinders with the camsafts removed to verify the integrity of the engine and mesure the tdc and bdc before you use the parts canon

[@paulmartin4971]

Hi Phil bad luck mate but sure it will be fine in your capable hands 👐 thanks.

[@richardtaylor2449]

do it Phil 👍🔧🔗

[@muffindell]

Good plan 👍

[@whyldsteve]

Go for it!!!

[@paulb8186]

Think they'd be having the car back!!! Misrepresentation.....or a massive discount.

[@bottletree33]

Stick a 1 liter ecoboost engine in it.

[@mattjones7090]

Did the rs5 go back through auction?

[@nicksjamesnj]

As you bought the car with undercarriage damage (as advertised) and not mechanical can you get your money back plus costs

[@GPSOMG-]

surely you could have some compensation back for mis-sold?

[@bendude6748]

Worth a go doing the chain I think

[@ricky3299]

When will there be an update on the Audi?

[@mark-g8294]

Does the key look new? If so the car will have been through the auction twice. (First buyer got a key made found the problem and stuck it back in to the auction)

[@carchap]

That is pretty bad how they wrongly advertised it.. best of luck repairing if you decide to do it!

[@andypsunshineisle5655]

Strong smell of a marine creature on this one. What does a vehicle check show up? Worth following your plan if the rockers are a known weak point. Damage done by the auctioneers? is there no comeback for their bad working practices

[@stephencahill1840]

Hi Phil fit the chain and see what's damaged

[@andrewmarriott4033]

Guess if they said snapped chain no one would bother with it . undercarriage damage sneaky 🤔

[@patrickb1855]

lovley car i would put the work in to it

[@calvinscardairy7228]

Phil your forgetting the RS5 it’s not a good beginning of year

[@rickyrall1971]

The suspension must have an air leak

[@garethedwards2883]

In this case can't you get a refund from the seller as advertising misrepresentation is against ASA regulations .

[@Irfan-or9sd]

Is this one for the mrs too?

[@kakariki8744]

I would concentrate on this one, rather than the Mini, I am sure you will have more joy with this than the mini. Go for it ,and the best of British💪🥂

[@benfrancis4896]

Mate, this is dead easy..... Whip the cams out and then compression test all the cylinders. With the cams out all the valves should be closed, so easy test to tell you if any valves are bent.