SM105K's SHO BIBLE/BUILDS/LIFE

[SM105K]

Good news is....I have the factory OEM fuel bowl cap for the F450, and the Banks Cold Air Kit is on the vehicle for delivery. So that is a bright spot.

 

[Junkyard_Mad-Scientist]

I've spent more cumulatively on speeding tickets and lawyers than the cost of any vehicle I've owned. I live in VA though and they love to ticket and charge drivers.

This was my first speeding ticket in 10 years, thought I was slicker than that but the cards were against me. Tried to pass some dik that was playing speed up in passing zones slow down on double yellow. Ended up passing him and the 4 cars ahead of him...and a tractor....and then a truck and trailer, the last being a double yellow and happen to be where the new to the force state trooper was posted up. He said if not for the loud exhaust he wouldn't have looked up from his computer and proceeded to hit me with 2 tickets. Maybe circumstance or im just am idiot but im trading my soundtrack of Ministry for some Kenny G.

 

[kryptto]

I laugh but sorry to hear.... this state is getting more serious with speeding. It's a great revenue generator.

 

[Junkyard_Mad-Scientist]

I laugh but sorry to hear.... this state is getting more serious with speeding. It's a great revenue generator.

It is funny, now. wont be when I shell out the $400 but im laughing about it too. Definetly works to bring in the money, but I tried something new this morning on the drive in. Theres signs that say speed limit all over my commute and I matched my speedo to the number thats in big print while listening to 80/90s country. No tickets and the guy in the civic behind me was absolutely losing his mind, kind of rewarding in itself.

 

[Junkyard_Mad-Scientist]

the Banks Cold Air Kit is on the vehicle for delivery.

Waiting for the UPS man all day

 

[SM105K]

I laugh but sorry to hear.... this state is getting more serious with speeding. It's a great revenue generator.

Road Pirates be Road Pirating!!!!!

 

[SM105K]

This was my first speeding ticket in 10 years, thought I was slicker than that but the cards were against me. Tried to pass some dik that was playing speed up in passing zones slow down on double yellow. Ended up passing him and the 4 cars ahead of him...and a tractor....and then a truck and trailer, the last being a double yellow and happen to be where the new to the force state trooper was posted up. He said if not for the loud exhaust he wouldn't have looked up from his computer and proceeded to hit me with 2 tickets. Maybe circumstance or im just am idiot but im trading my soundtrack of Ministry for some Kenny G.

Kenny G ABSOLUTELY FIRES ME UP!!!!

 

[SM105K]

I have an update. I spoke with my SA and I had him go ahead and replace the OVS's (out of pocket) since they were in there.

I am paying for a routine service (oil, filter, ect), plugs, two coils, and both oil separators + the labor for those items. Plus the two year warranty on parts esp the OVS's is nice.

Alpha is paying for the VCG replacement and reseal. I will let you know the details when I pick the car up.

Scottsdale Mercedes and my SA have always been amazing, and they have always been stand up. They communicate well, and they always put me up in a higher end loaner. I have zero issues with them. I am actually going to request to meet the tech that worked on my car, so I can apologize for my E63 being a c u n t, and give him a tip.

I have mixed feelings about the quality of simple things....like seals and crappy crankcase design. I honestly think MB needs to have a recall and fix this, or someone with deeper pockets than me needs to file class action, because this is a major problem.

 

[Junkyard_Mad-Scientist]

I honestly think MB needs to have a recall and fix this, or someone with deeper pockets than me needs to file class action, because this is a major problem.

Issue is unless it poses a safety issue or catastrophic damage to the vehicle MB wont be required to recall it, It'll just live as a TSB. And a class action will only come from someone who actually keeps the cars longer than the lease, unfortunately most of the wealthy with the means trade up every other year if not sooner don't bother with heavy maintenance and repairs, cars broken buy a new one. It would take a true enthusiast with a relevant model year to make them fix the issue. Could always take the issue to a lawyer in the appropriate field and get their take, I've seen so many expensive TSBs that should have been a recall never make it because its in a gray area and the dealers can soak up the profits from the work so why fix it.

For example on a cheaper scale: My wife's Cobalt she had in college had a TSB for the transmission, the TSB read something to the effect that the transmission housing was defective as one of the passages was too narrow to allow for ample fluid passage, the fix: drill out the hole, if transmission fails, replace transmission. That is a fundamental design flaw that effected millions of vehicles, but it wasn't consistent enough, and it wasn't a threat to life, so chevy just kept hitting people with massive bills at the dealer IF they had a transmission guy that could perform the job, if not they referred people out or offered an R and R.

Since then I check the TSBs on most vehicles I buy but its never a solid reference. I didn't check the SHO because I had heard praise for the 3.5 and the transmission, I was schooled 2 weeks into owning it right here. I bought a 5.4 3v knowing its issues, and our fusion has had 10 recalls in 10 years. moral of the story is my philosophy on cars in general. They're all imperfect machines, a bag of nuts and bolts. Find one you like to look at and is comfortable to sit in and deal with the issues as they come what ever they may be. In your MB situation, when you look at your car and see money rather than a feeling of love or excitement, it might be time to send her down the river. Maybe go get M back lol

 

[SM105K]

F450 Update: So I dropped the truck off a shop that does the work I don't want to do. I have no idea when the brakes were serviced, and I have some travel plans for Labor Day weekend with the camper. I wanted a brake inspection done, and I don't have a easy way for removing wheels and tires ect. They were able to tell me the brakes have plenty of life on them so that is good. While Betty was there, I had them replace the door lock actuators. It is super nice to be able use the remote lock remote.

Last week I had a Sony XAV 8500 head unit. It is super nice to have XM radio again and a large screen for Android Auto for Waze ect......

 

[SM105K]

F450 Update: So I worked on Betty this weekend after the shop worked on her.

I installed the Banks Ram Air Kit and performed the Zoodad mod.

Zoodad Mod Before.......

Used a hole saw to make the holes...While I was there I also vacuumed and brushed off the AC condenser. It wasn't that bad, but every little bit helps.

Cleaned up the holes with a death wheel. The
Pulled the factory air box and installed the isolator for the new box. That snorkel leads directly into the front of the Banks kit. So the new air box pulls from the fender, and gets ram air from the open Zoodad Mod straight into that snorkel.

Box installed with battery, filter, and lid. I also loomed all of the wires for the all the added sensors and cleaned that all up.

The Banks kit finished.

The Zoodad mod through the stock grill.


Thoughts on the Banks Ram Air Kit. It works. I noticed my IAT temps were lower, there was way more pronounced turbo whistle, and you can actually hear the surge when you let off the throttle. That alone was worth the price of admission. Overall I am happy with the Mod. Can't wait to drive this truck when it isn't 9 million degrees out.

 

[SM105K]

Just a mental note of what needs to be done still. Looking to get all of these done by Thursday 8/28/25.

Install the Banks Cold Air Intake.
Remove the front grill, and perform the Zoodad mod.
Purchase a New Serpentine Belt.
Install the fuel pressure sensor, and connect it to the CTS 3.
Install the stiffer fuel pressure regulator spring and rebuild fuel bowl.
Install stock OEM Motorcraft Fuel Bowl Cap.
Install the new fuel filter.
Change the oil and oil filter. Changed at 169K.
Install Passenger EGT Probe.

 

[SM105K]

F450 Update: Yesterday I added the stiffer spring to the fuel pressure/fuel poppet. My pressure went from 55 psi to 68 psi. This has increased ICP which I am lead to believe is a good thing. I also drained the fuel bowl, and cleaned it out. There was a bunch of sediment in the bowl itself.


Got everything back to together, added the fuel filter and new cap. Tightened it down, primed it, no leaks. Started it, and after about 12 seconds diesel fuel went everywhere. All along the engine, it hit the hood, the windshield, all over the garage floor, slipped and stepped on the engine cover and cracked it. FFS.

Some idiot, didn't remove the other gasket.......Needless to say after calling myself some colorful language I un-doubled the gasket, and torqued down the fuel bowl cap. Then I started tackling the huge mess of diesel seemingly everywhere. Ethanol cleans diesel up pretty good off the floor. So yeah. GREAT SUCCESS!!!! So my garage has a mix of diesel fuel and Torco T85. But it is clean. Today, I will go and get some foaming engine degreaser and address the engine, and get a new serpentine belt as well.

 

[Junkyard_Mad-Scientist]

slipped and stepped on the engine cover and cracked it. FFS.

Could be worse, could be the 94-98 Powerstroke covers, theyre hens teeth. I think the double gasket has gotten all of us at least once, dont beat yourself up over spilt diesel. Making good progress

 

[SM105K]

Could be worse, could be the 94-98 Powerstroke covers, theyre hens teeth. I think the double gasket has gotten all of us at least once, dont beat yourself up over spilt diesel. Making good progress

I am just glad I didn't break it in half. It is 100% still usable, and a great reminder why I can't have nice things.

 

[SM105K]

E63 Update: This is an updated post from my post on the MB forums. We have RMS fail club thread because it is such an issue. However, since I document this pain in my ass here as well you guys can see the BS too.

Year: 2019
Model: E63S
RMS Failure Mileage: 38K miles
Style/Frequency of Driving: weekend/spirited
Original Owner: No
Failed Before or After Warranty: After
Has it re-leaked after repair: No
Cost to repair: $0
Who repaired it: Indy dealership fixed it while fixing a upper pan oil gasket under warranty. It was a while they were in there type of thing.

I am the second owner. However, I have spoken to the original owner. He said that he babied the car.
I do not drive it easy. Immediately started modding it after purchase to the mods in my signature.

Update: 11 months later and 46k on the clock: Went in for a Flex A, spark plugs, and a logic test for the stock OVS. Ended up needing two coils and valve cover gasket (VCG) R&R and some smaller fixes. The VCG was leaking oil directly into one of the spark plug tubes. Pretty big job, had the VCG job sent to warranty. Warranty covered most of the repair and one OVS. I asked for the other OVS to be changed and I would pay the difference. So now, I have a newish RMS and brand new OVS's on the car. I have also purchased the 63 Motorsports Catch Cans so hopefully that will help the crankcase ventilation, and I can put the OVS and RMS issues to bed. Also, I learned the RMS isn't just the only seal that gets smoked with underperforming OVS. It also effects oil pan seals, and valve cover seals. I had an VCG replacement, and an upper oil pan gasket replacement..........

Anyways...... I have redacted the my personal information and my SA. Like I said, my local MB has always been amazing, my gripe in the other thread is directly at MB and AMG.

I posted the bill for a couple of reasons. First, because this is the dark little secret behind supercars. Yes my E63s is considered a supercar, well technically a super sedan/super saloon. Second, I saved a long time for this car. I kinda knew what I was getting into, and it has been a fist fight. Hopefully this round of repairs will curtail the repair bills. I am also not on planning driving it as many miles like I did this past year. However, if in the near future I get another bill like this, I will sell it. I think a 1986 Buick Grand National will give me the same feeling that this car gives me, and I will actually be able to work on it.

 

[SM105K]

F450 Update: I went to the auto parts store and got a new serpentine belt. The old one is in relative good condition with no cracks. I will keep my eye on it. The new one is tucked into the cubby behind the rear passenger seat.

While I was there, I grabbed some foamy engine degreaser so I could tackle the engine bay that was covered in diesel fuel disaster from the day before. That went pretty well. Sprayed it down with the degreaser, waited 10 mins, used the gentle shower setting on my garden hose and hosed it down. Used my automotive only leaf blower to dry the engine bay and get the big standing water. Then I let it sit in the 108 degree heat for couple hours before starting it. Worked like a charm.

Still have to drill and tap the EGT probe on the passenger side to complete all of the monitor madness. I will try and get that done today.

Also we are taking the whole unit (truck and camper) out this weekend. So I have been getting the camper ready as well. I am super interested to see how this truck drives on the open freeway with all of the upgrades I have done to it over the past couple of months. We are going up North and there are some pretty big steep uphill and downhill spots to where we are going so it should be a good bench mark with the new gears ect.

 

[Texas Marauder]

EPDM belts don't crack. You've got the new belt, use it. You don't want to be on the side of the road changing a belt or worse, repairing the damage from a thrown belt.

 

[SM105K]

EPDM belts don't crack. You've got the new belt, use it. You don't want to be on the side of the road changing a belt or worse, repairing the damage from a thrown belt.

Valid Point. I will change it today.

 

[Junkyard_Mad-Scientist]

F250 update. Helen gets a 460
Now all that's left is distributor (thinking hei) carb rebuild, valve cover repair, alternator, brakes, fluids, radiator, fender, and it might be drivable. Should be ready to race Betty in October 2036