MERCEDES W204 C63, SIMPLE MISFIRE TURNS INTO SERIOUS PROBLEM. COMMON M156 FAULT! PART 1

[@sprautos]

Hope you all enjoy this one. Been a while since I’ve done a top end strip down. Like & subscribe, Look out for part 2. All the best everyone.

[@RH-xj8hm]

Really enjoyed this episode, loved the one detailed story rather than the week in the garage with little jobs 👍 30 mins is great with a 2nd part. Keep the release cadence consistent and you’ll grow the channel

[@mb-ub2ws]

Engine out is easyer to work and you can put blackserie bukit i think tasos moschatos does that kzbin.info/www/bejne/Y4mWlKmuf8x7a80si=Kpuz5a2raP9taBJj

[@mb-ub2ws]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/Y4mWlKmuf8x7a80si=Kpuz5a2raP9taBJj

[@chrispy104k]

I reckon the length of the video is about right. An hour video would mean that I would probably watch it in two sessions. Keep up the great content.

[@apnovi]

Really good video, with loads of useful information.. but ouch for the car owner :(

[@jeremycarr6915]

Definitely handle an hour. Anyone watching this channel is clearly an enthusiast/engrossed by the expertise so you'll be preaching to the choir. Go for it.

[@mickymarvin3241]

I've owned Mercs for years and been alot of merc specialist but none of them come close to u your honesty and knowledge your garage and staff are brilliant

[@sprautos]

I appreciate that! Thank you 🙏

[@cosmos7492]

It was like watching a top surgeon at work amazing to watch thanks for the video enjoyed it as always

[@sonykroket]

They are open hearthsurgeons, or brainsurgeons. I love every vid, I wish they were in my country.

[@mb-ub2ws]

@@cosmos7492 look for tasos moschatos

[@Millennial_Manc]

Might be a palliative care consultant by part 2!

[@droopyfagash]

An hour video would be great. It's lovely watching a skilled engineer at work. Thank you.

[@PuddingPeep-fs1kw]

There’s people who claim that they’re specialists There’s people who don’t need to say that, because it’s clear when you see them working You’re definitely the latter of the two, Excellent video - A wealth of knowledge Spot on 👌

[@ZBYCHU__]

The best Mercedes Specialist on KZbin.

[@davidhart2979]

Full hour is perfect, your showing what is the process, l am ex airframe and areoengine fitter, your good my friend, top rate, a dieing breed, you youtube will go from strength to strength.

[@sprautos]

Thank you buddy. Appreciate that

[@MrRudolphsmit]

I'm 52 from South Africa. I grew up with Mercs and still own 2. Wish here was someone with your skills and honesty

[@PJ-s]

Loved the format of the one vehicle, and the detail within, definitely room for an hour long video…really like the “while you’re in there” advice.

[@jimross5806]

Again, another brilliant informative video. Fascinating stuff indeed. Personally, I think 45mins per video is about right, but on a job as big and complex as this, an hour is nothing in my opinion. Can’t wait for part2. 👍🚗🚗🚗🚗🚗🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

[@aq7705]

Best part is seeing how you're saving the customer some money with changing parts of parts, instead of whole parts. Far easier to just say "you need a new alternator mate" and charge them an arm n a leg. Your work ethics is much more impressive than your skill as a mechanic. We need more folks like that, especially in the UK.

[@franklee2598]

Yes it's rare that you have a specialist where you can basically say do what you feel needs to be done. That you can have full confidence in him making the judgement call for what is best for the client.

[@sonykroket]

Sam + team, a while ago I asked to for some advice on buying a 2000s SLK, just the basic bitch 1.8 R171 as I didn´t want anymore "sporty stuff" in my life. Because of you I now have a beautiful black one with zero defects, rust or corrosion. Every button works, doors open or closed, 2 keys, all the history and maintenance etc. The roofcabriomechanismbla works like it should etc. I bought it at a good price and I´m in love with it. Thank you for informing me where and what to look at. Never stop!

[@jusnick987]

That would be my worst nightmare. From someone who owns a E63 M156. I'm doing everything I can to keep that engine alive and in great working order. I would like to say thank you for taking us on this journey of bring this great engine back to life.

[@OGYELLOW]

What are you doing to preserve? I've done injectors, coil packs plugs. Air filters and oil cc. New PCV. Frequent oil change with mos2 and lifter additive. So far so good

[@LionBlu2000]

@@OGYELLOW Camshaft at ~80k miles, engine mounts every ~70k.

[@familieverhoeve7127]

I could easily watch you for an hour rebuilding a C63, no problem. Great video, have a nice day.

[@paulknight1332]

Very sorry for the owner but great to see some open heart surgery on a high performance V8 engine - very engaging content, the minutes just flew by. I did some top end work on my M119 over the Winter and was fortunate it just needed a tappet (bucket) to fix it. Still required cams to be removed but for my first time working on the engine type I was very happy with how it went. The R129 runs brilliantly now, shame the Summer is over!! Please keep it up, your videos are the highlight of my evening KZbin viewing.

[@peterstones3095]

Hi i know nothing about engines,but i tottaley enjoy these videos.

[@sprautos]

Good stuff, well hopefully your picking up a few things watching. 🙏

[@FERRARIlegend1]

I watched the film fully and to be honest if it has been an hour would have still watched the whole thing..Basically i belive people watching this want to see the detail you go into and the challeges faced when repairing these vehicles. The best part is at the end when its finally fixed because we are waiting for the final key start... only down side we arent going to see the out come for a few weeks. Really enjoy the content and love these strip downs brilliant to watch thank you for doing these Regards Mike

[@oj4249]

Just on the alternator regulator bit. A while back our car wasn’t charging the battery. So this one “mechanic” guy told us it needed an alternator. My dad secretly took the alternator to this other shop for a second opinion as it was already stripped and we were gonna have this “mechanic” get us a new one. The shop told us it just needed a new regulator and that was the case! The other guy tried a fast one on us. Appreciate honest mechanics like yourself mate. Keep up the content. Very insightful 🙏🏻🇿🇦.

[@smithyhouses100]

Can`t get enough of this truely engrossing work on engines. I could watch an hour on diagnose and strip and then an hour on the rebuild and testing quite easily,it`s just so interesting.great work SPR.

[@coolcat23]

Great to see the engine being saved, instead of being scrapped. I'd watch an hour-long video but whatever works best for the channel is fine!

[@davidbriggs4323]

Fair play, I wouldn’t know where to start, so fiddly and complex - an absolute science

[@Arcticwolf-UK]

Don’t own or ever have owned a Mercedes but I love watching your content, please keep up the great work

[@travel8033]

Brilliant, knowledgeable, experienced and humble dedicated top engineer,,,,,,,,, Fabulous,,,,,,,,Well done mate, Superb,,,,,,,,,,

[@sprautos]

Thank you very much 🙏

[@chrisgermann6658]

When you found debris in the oil filter, i was almost convinced the rod/bearing had been mullered under shock when the piston made contact. very insightful video as always thanks again.

[@davidoldboy5425]

I personally get transfixed and could watch a full hour no problem as I love your videos.

[@jonathanr6335]

Excellent and informative video. Feel so sorry for the owner - a misfire can turn into a wallet busting fix. Looking forward to the next instalment.

[@tehklevster]

Longer videos are fine, especially for diagnostic and repair work like this. Top work!

[@wolfgangezeh2221]

Yippee!!! Every time you make a video, it’s like the day has dawned for me.

[@Chuckyd26]

Agreed

[@dragonshadow3707]

I like to see the hole job from start to finish but love the videos so thanks

[@gwgrote5]

I am new to your channel. I'm not a mechanic yet find this video fascinating. I am very impressed by your knowledge and expertise. 👍 Thank you for uploading this video.

[@graham6229]

I own a CLK 320 V6 Twin plugs per cylinder 2004 @ 160,000 km and it is an amazing machine. BUT, I also change engine oil each 5000 km and use a Moly addditive. The life blood of an engine.

[@Leo555ZZZ]

M112 and M113 are much more reliable and long lasting than M156. They have no internal component wear issues at all. I think you could easily go 8,000 km between oil changes with no risk .

[@Eryrwen]

My favourite channel on KZbin. I was getting twitchy after two weeks waiting. An hour would be perfect.

[@sprautos]

😂 I had a good run of one a week didn’t I

[@leadonsteel]

1 hour, 2 hours, heck 3 hours, I’ll watch whatever length video you guys put out. The info and professionalism is top tier, and I love watching every minute, thank you for all your uploads!!!

[@dbash2004]

I am an idiot. The side axle stand points ( I thought were jacking points) is missing on the rear passenger side. I went ahead to lift the car with the car jack and it so slipped off and bent the wing slightly. Why, I do people take the owners manual. I haven't done repairs for 20 years and I'm a little rusty. I was waiting for a trolley jack to arrive on delivery. Still the rear brake pads replacement on vehicle clk240avantgarde is very easy and I have renewed confidence in actually doing a job and finishing it without any problems. And, yes I wire brushed the pin and copper slicked it for the next time. Most people lack a bit of confidence but thanks for KZbin. Keep up the vlogs and share your pearls of wisdom

[@djwarren5081]

I think that the length of the video was just about right. Looking forward to the next episode. Great work Sam.

[@mikebaker8667]

Well done lads, you have a quality operation, hard to find these days, respect.................

[@oliverlotus]

Very interesting as always. Big job.

[@BrianFaughey]

Excellent. Thanks for sharing knowledge

[@StretchArmstroong]

I was waiting for " customer refused new cams and valves" but authorised a road test 😂

[@Pauleyjh]

...I breathed a sigh of relief for your customer when I saw the piston without any damage !

[@paulmurray750]

Brilliant work, years of experience and knowledge made it sound and look easy. I am into W126s and really lucky to have Ben at Lichtenberg Classics here in Ireland to call upon. Good, honest mechanics, keep up the good work. I like the 2 part format.

[@mattleonard1078]

Properly properly enjoyed this one !! Great to see some in depth engine diagnosis there! And the dedication to fixing head to keep the customer's bill down admirable. Looks a lovely example of a C63 as well! An hour would have me hooked in no sweat at all

[@andrewfwallace4582]

I have to say your workmanship and knowledge is fantastic, such a pleasure to watch you working and explaining what you are doing, its kind of relaxing to watch, I am sure a lot of us Mercedes owners ( clk 320 ) for me would feel privalage to have your team working on our cars. Thank You for taking the time to film and edit, its not easy.

[@r.weaver3769]

Excellent video. Very good explanation of the diag and repair process. Agree with theory of failure.

[@mixedboi]

I'm a car enthusiast, but I've got to be honest, this is ridiculous. The highest possible tier of the C-Class has a worse quality engine than the highest mileage, clapped out D series Civic. The owner must be furious. You did an awesome job 👍👍👍

[@ThreeCoos]

Another great, informative video - thank you.

[@matteotrevana944]

Thanks for this mate (NOT!!!!!). I’m a new owner of an M156 vehicle and a new subscriber. I put this on as a bit of light viewing whilst I made me tea, not reading the full title like a melt. Genuinely had to turn it off half way through as it made my stomach turn 😂 My E63 will be going straight up for sale tomorrow! 😂

[@sprautos]

😂😂 I’ve got an e63 my self with m156 engine. Don’t let it put you off.

[@ChrisShucksmith]

​@@sprautos Ours is a black E63 M156, love driving it, there's a white one local to us but it disappeared last winter. Really enjoy the channel. Is it normal to need a new Varta battery every second winter :-) ?

[@raymonheath1436]

In my 55 years of driving i only bought one car (lotus elan s4 se) where it was a highmaintainance engine and like to have been ragged by previous owners. After that costly experience i never bought an under powered over tuned engine again. I have 3 mercedes now, e350 cabrio, e350 coupe (both diesel ) and R172 slk 350 petrol, all of them are brilliant and veryreliable plus fast enough to break the law in most parts of europe.

[@garybradley6007]

Full hour is perfect, watch them during my lunch🇮🇪

[@mikenygaard8982]

60 mins is fine! love you videos !!!

[@davidbrown6193]

I'm up for a long one! First time here. Very interesting and enjoyable! Cheers1

[@stephensumpton3090]

Loads more interesting than the usual service or common faults. I went looking for part 2. 😂

[@jamesdunican1750]

I as a mechanic Will always go with your opinion As you are great at your job Top man ☘️🇮🇪👍

[@sprautos]

Thank you 🙏

[@alexgamble1683]

Awesome work Sam! I’ll be booking in again soon to have the bits done that you suggested needed doing as part of the injector change (grey c63 video you uploaded). Don’t worry, I’ve not forgotten. Great content, really enjoyable to watch.

[@fastbandit1250]

I had a clk 55 amg and never any trouble in 8 years, 110 thousand miles ,seems like the 63 is prone to troubles. You got good mechanical knowledge of the 63, can’t wait for part 2 of this rebuild 👍

[@sprautos]

the 55 AMG is 100 times for reliable than the 63. Love a clk aswell lovely car.

[@Usiiboo]

@@sprautos what do you think about the M177 amg 4.0’s?

[@tonyb1184]

Always a pleasure watching your videos. I could easily watch an hour long one. I find them very interesting. Hopefully you get a good result on the valve guide

[@dbash2004]

Kawasaki have the alternator on the end of the crank built in to the engine a great design. Bolted onto the side of the engine block a ring with the windigs on the ring. Save huge amount of weight and no belt to drive it. Broke it sliding down the road and used an ice cream stick to splint it together to get pick ups in place

[@usmaanabdullah9874]

Another great video, keep it up. I bought a water pump from you guys for my c 250 651, fitted it myself and it works a treat no more leaks or loud whining where the bearing was knackered☺️

[@sprautos]

Great to hear! Thanks for the custom

[@jonnygigs21]

I’d happily watch an hour long video! Great content as always!

[@georgepaterson4825]

Well done Mat loving the colour the car looks amazing 👏 👌

[@briansmith2570]

Another fascinating/no nonsense journey. I’m very pleased to have discovered the channel as you make the complex understandable.

[@jacksonbeje]

keep the good work. For me even 3 Hours is good. I get lost watching these videos. Since I work on car as a car lover.. I easily forget to eat while working on cars

[@xmaxbabilo]

Petition for hoodies for people who dont have a monster energry drink and a vape for breakfast. Love the vidz . ❤

[@sprautos]

😂😂😂😂

[@Theoriginalbigbrillo]

Sam you were right about these tyoe of cars. Everything costs about a £ thousand pounds to replace parts lol! Those camshafts new alone must be £1000,s 🫣🫣🫣🫣🫣

[@TheFuneralDirector]

I could watch your channel for an hour, your videos are interesting and informative

[@bluesky4733]

Level of expertise is second to none

[@lukemyall2725]

Brilliant video, really enjoyed watching it and can't wait to see the next part 👍🏼great skill 😁

[@Jason-zh7wo]

Great content. long videos are good for this kind of work being done 👍

[@zakshipley3250]

Been at Mercedes as hgv and van tech for 28 years love the videos m8 keep them coming definitely do hour video my lass said you fix Mercedes vehicles all day now watching someone else work on Mercedes cars at night lol 👍

[@mb-ub2ws]

@@zakshipley3250 look for tasos moschatos

[@phill3144]

I used to work for a jlr specialist of sorts, our engines used to fail because of engine lugging, where the driver has the car driving at very low rpm and guns the accelerator to overtake hills etc, as the oil pump isn't running fast enough to supply the whole engine quick enough with oil pressure whilst the rpms lift from 1200rpm to 2000rpn you get brief oil starvation on the big end bearing carrier bearings etc, this looks like the same sort of issue with the rear of the cams lacking lubrication. Its not even the car being abused that caused our faults, but looks like a similar trait to me, enjoying your channel, it's like being at work without any responsibilitys watching 😁

[@phill3144]

Just a side note, our range rovers etc used to suffer worse when towing heavy loads of fully loaded vehicles would accelerate damage to bearings when driven to carefully, we had to advise customers to drop down a gear and increase engine rpm before heavy acceleration from low rpm

[@franklee2598]

@@phill3144 Thanks for this. I drive an SLK55 but I will adjust my driving style for overtakes i.e. shift down to lower gear and hold in anticipation of overtake when the road clears.

[@NotontheDrive]

As an R129 owner I really enjoy the videos and the dead pan delivery. Video length is good

[@stephenknight-m4y]

I love your videos and you are obviously an expert on Mercs. Well done Boss!

[@peternic1]

Always love the vids Sam. How you remember the torque settings on the bolts on a cam adjuster plate is, frankly, beyond me. Any length video is fine with me as watching them is the highlight of my day. I imagine though, two 30 min videos would probably be better for the channel given what (little) I know of the youtube algorithims.

[@pauloliver7853]

go as long as you like! Its totally engrossing seeing a master at work! the longer the better. Also, please the CLS buyers review.

[@davidgray6232]

Great video. I caught the Merc bug recently when I bough a '12 C204 C350 with the M276. Got a few things I'm needing to do with it so I've been through your videos with a fine tooth comb! I like your theory on the reason for the failure, at such low mileage though it's weird . Argument could be made for a thicker type of oil to be used and a stricter warm up routine.

[@steveclement9815]

As usual, an extremely interesting and educational video Sam. I would certainly like to see hour long videos, the longer the better. Well done.

[@stephenhoran7597]

Great video. Yes I'd watch an hours video I have a 350 e amg 2012 and I love it

[@1234minster]

What a task ...great video, look forward to part two.

[@jamesdunican1750]

Top work from a top man

[@castrolgtx5064]

Thanks for sharing Sam great content as always 🔧

[@laapulsford]

One of the best videos on this channel - sorry you had some bad luck.

[@KnowPorcelain1]

Great content and great advice as usual, a few years ago I bought a pre 2012 C63 and was encouraged to get the Head bolts, Adjuster plates and lifters done as a precautionary measure, glad I did, I believe they were uprated to the black series bolts and lifters, but told they became standard sometime in 2012.

[@IanMonks-f2u]

You've quickly become my favourite car channel on youtube. Very engaging presenting style mixed with fantastic knowledge and experience. Won't be many complaints about 1 hour long videos I bet.

[@warfivevy0neMachines]

rev limited when cold does this (thermal expansion)i like the way you guys cover the body work thats a well looked after C

[@b4tm4nrubin33]

Great video. Two parter please. Build up the anticipation

[@McElhinney65]

Great video Sam, wish I could find a VW specialist like your set up.

[@JohnDavies-ym7wu]

Excellent content again, keep up the good work 👍

[@dominicbarne5218]

Could tell from the initial turn over that it wasn’t well, my dad taught me engines from the second i could walk which has lead me to a life of being upside down in engines and spotting the sounds of mechanical death from a mile away, cheers dad 😂 done many coils on these but had a few with piston deletes as well

[@PitSmok]

Great episode as always, if you put hour long videos, no problem. People watching this, they love it, especially work on this special engine👍

[@nathanjamesprouse2769]

Ex Merc tech and love this dude brilliant work

[@Phil_T86]

Another great video Sam, This is what I was dreading when I dropped mine off with you when it was knocking from the passenger footwell even though it’s had preventative maintenance all it’s life. Thankfully you emailed me that day to put my mind at rest with detailed pictures/description to say the heatsheild had come loose which was hitting the driveshaft. Great attention to detail on everything as always and will continue to only use SPR to look after my car even though it’s a 4 hour round trip.

[@Orwic1]

Great video - very interesting to see the diagnosis and strip down. Looking forward to part 2!

[@NomadJRG]

Great content as always! Injectors are cheap as chips on for the W204 so well worth getting them done to help prevent this issue.

[@stephens9566]

This is a fascinating video what a complicated engine great to watch.

[@51madmitch]

As both top camshafts have the same problem it looks like oil supply problems, I remember I think BMW had to add small pipes to spray oil on Camshaft, because of this problem, interesting post thank you.

[@lliambunter]

If I owned a Mercedes I would travel from Liverpool to have you do it , you seem a very fair and knowledgeable person which is what's lacking these days with most garages ( I only own a vw caddy SDI )

[@franklee2598]

ha! One of his last videos explained how he is now overwhelmed with work from the existing customer list so cannot take any new customers. Just goes to show how good he is.

[@wookiewookster1214]

Another excellent video, many thanks guys really enjoyed this 👍

[@davemitchell8756]

Great work Sam, enjoyed watching the methodical approach to the faulty engine.

[@igigig27]

Fantastic video & your work , Think the camshaft wear could be down to extra long service intervals when the car was new . You cant beat quality oils changed frequently but you need that to be started from day 1 or day 180 LOL