Mercedes-Benz CLA: Turbo failure from contaminated oil feed line (CLA 45 AMG 2.0 M133 turbo)
Turbo failure from contaminated oil feed line (CLA 45 AMG 2.0 M133 turbo) is a common engine fault on the Mercedes-Benz CLA on the 2013–2015 cars, and we rate it major. Putting it right costs $0 to $9,000 at New Zealand independent workshop rates. Below is what goes wrong, the symptoms to notice on a test drive, where to look, and what to ask the seller before you hand over any money. It is one of 10 documented faults on the Mercedes-Benz CLA.
- Vehicle
- Mercedes-Benz CLA
- Only on
- AMG
- Engine
- 2.0L
- Years
- 2013–2015
- Fuel
- petrol
- System
- Engine
What you are looking at
No photograph available
What goes wrong
On the CLA 45 AMG's 2.0 M133 turbo petrol, the strainer in the turbocharger oil feed line could become contaminated, starving the turbo bearings of oil and wearing them out early. Mercedes ran a service campaign (2014120001, early 2015) on 2014-15 model year cars: dealers measured turbo shaft play and replaced the turbo and oil feed lines where play was too high, with about a quarter of cars needing a new turbo. A car that missed the campaign can still have a worn turbo, so ask a Mercedes dealer whether it was completed on the VIN.
What you would notice
- Whistle or siren noise from the turbo under boost
- Blue or grey smoke from the exhaust
- Loss of power or limp mode
- Oil use between services
How to check it
Where to look. Turbocharger and its oil feed line, on the exhaust side of the transversely mounted engine
Ask for the service history and whether the turbo oil feed line campaign (2014120001) was done or the turbo has been replaced.
On the test drive listen for a whistle or siren sound as boost builds and watch the mirror for smoke on hard acceleration after idling.
Check the dipstick level and ask how much oil it uses between services.
Look for oil around the turbo and intercooler pipes with a torch.
If a workshop inspection is possible: have the turbo shaft axial and radial play measured (the campaign limit was 0.08 mm axial) and the intake pipes checked for oil.
What it costs to put right
$0 to $9,000 at New Zealand independent workshop rates. That is for this job on its own, not for the car.
Ask the seller
- “Has the turbo oil feed line service campaign been done on this car?”
- “Has the turbocharger ever been replaced?”
- “How much oil does it use between services?”
Now check the Mercedes-Benz CLA you are actually looking at
Everything above is true of the model, and it is free. What it does not tell you is whether THIS car has been looked after: its odometer history and whether the reading has ever gone backwards, whether there is still money owing on it, whether it has been reported stolen, how many owners it has had and what it is really worth today. That comes from the official records for that plate. Enter the plate for the free details, or get the full history and a market valuation from $13.49.
Where this comes from
- https://australiancar.reviews/recalls-faults-mercedes-c117-cla-45-amg-2013-19/
- https://www.australiancar.reviews/?p=53883
- Mercedes-Benz USA Service Campaign 2014120001 (January 2015)
Mercedes-Benz CLA buyer questions
Is turbo failure from contaminated oil feed line (cla 45 amg 2.0 m133 turbo) serious on a Mercedes-Benz CLA?
We rate it major and common on the Mercedes-Benz CLA. On the CLA 45 AMG's 2.0 M133 turbo petrol, the strainer in the turbocharger oil feed line could become contaminated, starving the turbo bearings of oil and wearing them out early. Mercedes ran a service campaign (2014120001, early 2015) on 2014-15 model year cars: dealers measured turbo shaft play and replaced the turbo and oil feed lines where play was too high, with about a quarter of cars needing a new turbo. A car that missed the campaign can still have a worn turbo, so ask a Mercedes dealer whether it was completed on the VIN.
How much does it cost to fix on a Mercedes-Benz CLA?
$0 to $9,000 at New Zealand independent workshop rates. That figure is for this job on its own. A car showing the symptoms on this page is usually worth either walking away from or negotiating down by at least the repair figure.
Which Mercedes-Benz CLA years are affected?
Our research records this fault on the 2013–2015 Mercedes-Benz CLA. Build dates move around, especially on imported cars, so treat the range as the years to look hardest at rather than a guarantee either way. The official records tell you the exact build and first registration date for the car in front of you.
How do I check for it before I buy?
Ask for the service history and whether the turbo oil feed line campaign (2014120001) was done or the turbo has been replaced. On the test drive listen for a whistle or siren sound as boost builds and watch the mirror for smoke on hard acceleration after idling. Check the dipstick level and ask how much oil it uses between services. Look for oil around the turbo and intercooler pipes with a torch. If a workshop inspection is possible: have the turbo shaft axial and radial play measured (the campaign limit was 0.08 mm axial) and the intake pipes checked for oil. Look here: Turbocharger and its oil feed line, on the exhaust side of the transversely mounted engine