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A little Mercedes diesel engine info I found

66K views 17 replies 13 participants last post by  Conelrad 
#1 · (Edited)
Edit: Here's the link to the entire thread. http://www.superturbodiesel.com/std...ice-manuals-and-engine-information-t-214.html The info below was adapted from this link by someone else as I said initially.


First, all M-B engines have a 6-digit model number, similar to the chassis number. The first three digits indicate what "basic" engine it is, with the last three digits indicating what "version" of the engine it is (i.e. is the engine turbocharged, does it have an EGR setup, etc). The model number on an M-B gas engine begins with the letter M ("motor", I think), while the model number on an M-B diesel engine begins with the letters OM ("oel motor"; basically, "oilburner ). I'm limiting this to diesel engines, since I know jack-squat about the gas engines...and I'm going to try and keep this chronological. Again, these are only engines as seen in U.S. models; European models ARE different (for instance, the OM616.912 was only sold in the U.S. until 1983, but was sold until 1985 in Europe). On that same note, keep in mind that there are Euro-market cars floating around in the U.S. that, due to having been originally sold in Europe, may not conform to this list. If you come across a car that does not match anything in this list, you are almost certainly looking at a Euro-market car. Furthermore, I opted to not include the new Common-Rail Direct-Injected engines (CDI's) that are available today, due to a lack of readily available information.

The following are cast-iron block, cast-iron head indirect-injected (IDI) engines. All are single overhead camshaft engines, with a timing chain connecting the crankshaft to the camshaft and to the injector pump drive gear. All have the OHC equivalent of solid lifters, requiring a valve adjustment performed every 15K miles. The OM61x engines listed below are the most common engines you will see in a U.S. M-B diesel, and did a lot to solidify the reputation M-B diesel engines have of lasting forever.
OM636.930 - 1.8l (I think) inline-4 n/a, used between 1953 and 1961. The OM636 and the OM621's are likely the same basic engine block, and are unique compared to other engines.
OM621.910 – 1.9l (I think) inline-4 n/a, used between 1958 and 1961.
OM621.914 - 1.8l (again, I think) inline-4 n/a, used between 1961 and 1962.
OM621.912 - 1.9l inline-4 n/a, 60hp, used between 1962 and 1965.
OM621.918 - 2.0l inline-4 n/a, 60hp, used between 1966 and 1967.
OM615.913 - 2.0l inline-4 n/a, 61hp, unknown age span. The OM615, OM616, and OM617 share a basic block design and construction (although there were many changes, including adding a cylinder in the OM617).
OM615.912 - 2.2l inline-4 n/a, 60hp, used between 1968 and 1973.
OM616.916 - 2.4l inline-4 n/a, 62hp, used between 1973 and 1976.
OM617.910 - 3.0l inline-5 n/a, 88hp, used between 1975 and 1976.
OM616.912 - 2.4l inline-4 n/a, 67hp, used between 1977 and 1983. Oil filter relocated as compared to 616.916, due to different chassis design.
OM617.912 - 3.0l inline-5 n/a, 88hp, used between 1977 and 1981. Oil filter relocated as compared to 617.910, due to different chassis design.
OM617.950 - 3.0l inline-5 turbocharged, 110hp, used between 1978 and 1980. Note that this is the only turbocharged 617 that did NOT have factory EGR equipment until mid 1980 production.
OM617.951 - 3.0l inline-5 turbocharged, 120hp, used between 1981 and 1985. EGR equipment added.
OM617.952 - 3.0l inline-5 turbocharged, 120hp, used between 1981 and 1985. Believed to be identical to 617.951, except for minor differences to accommodate the W123 chassis.

The following are cast-iron block, aluminum head indirect-injected (IDI) engines. Like the cast-iron engines, a timing chain connects a single overhead cam (except for the OM606, which has twin overhead cams and 4 valves per cylinder) and the injector pump drive gear to the crankshaft, but the OHC version of hydraulic lifters are used, eliminating the need for periodic valve adjustments. Some later engines have electronic controls for the EGR, and possibly for pump timing as well. All of the following engines share a basic block design and construction, although like the OM61x engines there were many changes. These engines share very little with prior designs.

OM601.921 - 2.2l inline-4 n/a, 72hp, used between 1984 and 1986.
OM603.961 - 3.0l inline-6 turbocharged, 148hp, used between 1986 and 1987.
OM603.960 - 3.0l inline-6 turbocharged, 148hp, used in 1987.
OM602.911 - 2.5l inline-5 n/a, 93hp, used between 1987 and 1989.
OM602.961 - 2.5l inline-5 turbocharged, 123hp, used in 1987.
OM602.962 - 2.5l inline-5 turbocharged, 123hp, used between 1990 and 1993. Believed to be identical to 602.961 except electronic controls for emissions reasons.
*OM603.970 - 3.5l inline-6 turbocharged, 134hp, used between 1990 and 1991.
*OM603.971 - 3.5l inline-6 turbocharged, 148hp, used between 1992 and 1994.
OM606.910 - 3.0l inline-6 n/a, 134hp, used in 1995
OM606.912 - 3.0l inline-6 n/a, 134hp, used in 1997. Believed to be identical to 606.910 except for minor differences to accommodate a different chassis.
OM606.? - 3.0l inline-6 turbocharged, 174hp, used between 1998 and 1999.

*WARNING FOR THIS ENGINE: There was a defect in the building of many of these 3.5l engines. As the rods begin to fail, they typically make the piston move about in the bore, ovaling out the cylinder to the point where the cylinders can no longer hold compression. For whatever reason, I don't believe simply re-sleeving the cylinders will correct this, so this can only be repaired by replacing the entire shortblock. I believe that some later engines were built with the correct rods after M-B realized that they had this problem, and many cars out there have already had the blocks replaced. But, I do not know of an external method of determining whether the engien has the old or the new connecting rods, so BEWARE when looking at any car powered by one of these engines. This problem is limited to the OM603.97x 3.5l engines.

Based on the sticky from www.oilburners.net and edited to update the information.

Here's some more:

Models (except North America and Japan)

Chassis code Years Model Engine Power Torque
W123.020 1976–1981 200 2.0 L M115 I4 94 PS (69 kW; 93 hp) @ 4800 158 N·m (117 lb·ft) @ 3000
W123.220 1979–1985 200 2.0 L M102 I4 109 PS (80 kW; 108 hp) @ 5200 170 N·m (125 lb·ft) @ 3000
W123.280 1980–1985 200T 2.0 L M102 I4 109 PS (80 kW; 108 hp) @ 5200 170 N·m (125 lb·ft) @ 3000
W123.120 1976–1979 200D 2.0 L OM615 I4 Diesel 55 PS (40 kW; 54 hp) @ 4200 113 N·m (83 lb·ft) @ 2400
W123.120 1979–1985 200D 2.0 L OM615 I4 Diesel 60 PS (44 kW; 59 hp) @ 4400 113 N·m (83 lb·ft) @ 2400
W123.126 1976–1979 220D 2.2 L OM615 I4 Diesel 60 PS (44 kW; 59 hp) @ 4200 125 N·m (92 lb·ft) @ 2400
W123.023 1976–1981 230 2.3 L M115 I4 109 PS (80 kW; 108 hp) @ 4800 185 N·m (136 lb·ft) @ 3000
W123.223 1979–1985 230E 2.3 L M102 I4 136 PS (100 kW; 134 hp) @ 5100 201 N·m (148 lb·ft) @ 3500
W123.043 1977–1980 230C 2.3 L M115 I4 109 PS (80 kW; 108 hp) @ 4800 185 N·m (136 lb·ft) @ 3000
W123.243 1980–1985 230CE 2.3 L M102 I4 136 PS (100 kW; 134 hp) @ 5100 201 N·m (148 lb·ft) @ 3500
W123.083 1978–1980 230T 2.3 L M115 I4 109 PS (80 kW; 108 hp) @ 4800 185 N·m (136 lb·ft) @ 3000
W123.283 1980–1985 230TE 2.3 L M102 I4 136 PS (100 kW; 134 hp) @ 5100 201 N·m (148 lb·ft) @ 3500
W123.123 1976–1985 240D 2.4 L OM616 I4 Diesel 65 PS (48 kW; 64 hp) @ 4200
from 02/79 72 PS (53 kW; 71 hp) @ 4400 137 N·m (101 lb·ft) @ 2400
W123.125 1977–1985 240D LWB 2.4 L OM616 I4 Diesel 65 PS (48 kW; 64 hp) @ 4200
from 02/79 72 PS (53 kW; 71 hp) @ 4400 137 N·m (101 lb·ft) @ 2400
W123.183 1978–1986 240TD 2.4 L OM616 I4 Diesel 65 PS (48 kW; 64 hp) @ 4200
from 02/79 72 PS (53 kW; 71 hp) @ 4400 137 N·m (101 lb·ft) @ 2400
W123.026 1976–1985 250 2.5 L M123 I6 129 PS (95 kW; 127 hp) @ 5500
from 09/79 140 PS (100 kW; 140 hp) @ 5500 192 N·m (142 lb·ft) @ 3500
from 09/79 196 N·m (145 lb·ft) @ 3500
W123.028 1977–1985 250 LWB 2.5 L M123 I6 129 PS (95 kW; 127 hp) @ 5500
from 09/79 140 PS (100 kW; 140 hp) @ 5500 192 N·m (142 lb·ft) @ 3500
from 09/79 196 N·m (145 lb·ft) @ 3500
W123.086 1978–1985 250T 2.5 L M123 I6 129 PS (95 kW; 127 hp) @ 5500
from 09/79 140 PS (100 kW; 140 hp) @ 5500 192 N·m (142 lb·ft) @ 3500
from 09/79 196 N·m (145 lb·ft) @ 3500
W123.030 1975–1981 280 2.8 L M110 I6 156 PS (115 kW; 154 hp) @ 5500 222 N·m (164 lb·ft) @ 4000
W123.033 1975–1985 280E 2.8 L M110 I6 177 PS (130 kW; 175 hp) @ 6000
from 1978 185 PS (136 kW; 182 hp) @ 5800 229 N·m (169 lb·ft) @ 4500
from 09/79 235 N·m (173 lb·ft) @ 4500
W123.050 1977–1980 280C 2.8 L M110 I6 156 PS (115 kW; 154 hp) @ 5500 222 N·m (164 lb·ft) @ 4000
W123.053 1977–1985 280CE 2.8 L M110 I6 177 PS (130 kW; 175 hp) @ 6000
from 1978 185 PS (136 kW; 182 hp) @ 5800 229 N·m (169 lb·ft) @ 4500
from 09/79 235 N·m (173 lb·ft) @ 4500
W123.093 1978–1985 280TE 2.8 L M110 I6 177 PS (130 kW; 175 hp) @ 6000
from 1978 185 PS (136 kW; 182 hp) @ 5800 229 N·m (169 lb·ft) @ 4500
from 09/79 235 N·m (173 lb·ft) @ 4500
W123.130 1976–1985 300D 3.0 L OM617 I5 Diesel 80 PS (59 kW; 79 hp) @ 4000
from 09/79 88 PS (65 kW; 87 hp) @ 4400 169 N·m (125 lb·ft) @ 2400
W123.132 1977–1985 300D LWB 3.0 L OM617 I5 Diesel 80 PS (59 kW; 79 hp) @ 4000
from 09/79 88 PS (65 kW; 87 hp) @ 4400 169 N·m (125 lb·ft) @ 2400
W123.133 1981–1985 300D Turbo 3.0 L OM617a I5 Diesel 125 PS (92 kW; 123 hp) @ 4350 245 N·m (181 lb·ft) @ 2400
W123.150 1977–1981 300CD 3.0 L OM617 I5 Diesel 80 PS (59 kW; 79 hp) @ 4000
from 09/79 88 PS (65 kW; 87 hp) @ 4400 169 N·m (125 lb·ft) @ 2400
W123.153 1981–1985 300CD Turbo 3.0 L OM617a I5 Diesel 125 PS (92 kW; 123 hp) @ 4350 245 N·m (181 lb·ft) @ 2400
W123.190 1978–1985 300TD 3.0 L OM617 I5 Diesel 80 PS (59 kW; 79 hp) @ 4000
from 09/79 88 PS (65 kW; 87 hp) @ 4400 169 N·m (125 lb·ft) @ 2400
W123.193 1980–1985 300TD Turbo 3.0 L OM617a I5 Diesel 125 PS (92 kW; 123 hp) @ 4350 245 N·m (181 lb·ft) @ 2400
[edit]North America and Japan

In these markets the following models were offered...[5]:
Model Years Engine Power Torque
230 MY 1977–1978 M115 93.0 hp (69 kW) @ 4800 125 lb·ft (169 N·m) @ 2500
240D MY 1977–1983 OM616.912 62 hp (46 kW) @ 4000
from MY 1981 67 hp (50 kW) @ 4000 97 lb·ft (132 N·m) @ 2400
280E MY 1977–1981 M110 142 hp (106 kW) @ 5750
from MY 1980: 140 hp (104 kW) @ 5500 149 lb·ft (202 N·m) @ 4600
from MY 1980: 145 lb·ft (197 N·m) @ 4600
280CE MY 1978–1981 M110 142 hp (106 kW) @ 5750
from MY 1980: 140 hp (104 kW) @ 5500 149 lb·ft (202 N·m) @ 4600
from MY 1980: 145 lb·ft (197 N·m) @ 4600
300D MY 1977–1981 OM617.912 77 hp (57 kW) @ 4000
from MY 1981: 83 hp (62 kW) @ 4200 115 lb·ft (156 N·m) @ 2400
from MY 1981: 120 lb·ft (163 N·m) @ 2400
300CD MY 1978–1981 OM617.912 77 hp (57 kW) @ 4000
from MY 1981: 83 hp (62 kW) @ 4200 115 lb·ft (156 N·m) @ 2400
from MY 1981: 120 lb·ft (163 N·m) @ 2400
300TD
MY 1979–1980 OM617.912 77 hp (57 kW) @ 4000 115 lb·ft (156 N·m) @ 2400
300TD
MY 1981–1985 OM617.952 125 hp (93 kW) @ 4350 181 lb·ft (245 N·m) @ 2400
300D
MY 1981–1985 OM617.952 125 hp (93 kW) @ 4350 181 lb·ft (245 N·m) @ 2400
300CD
MY 1981–1985 OM617.952 125 hp (93 kW) @ 4350 181 lb·ft (245 N·m) @ 2400
The North American W123s differ from the European W123s due to United States Department of Transportation requirements.
 
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#3 ·
The information you posted looked correct at first glance. I've got an OM636 engine and transmission for sale on ebay. The most durable older engine would be the OM617 --- the cast iron heads --- it's known as the "million mile engine". I've owned several fo the OM603 engines made in the 1986-1987 period ---- nice cars!!!

And if anyone needs any used MB parts, I have tons in my garage.
 
#4 ·
The 603.96X engines are the true million mile engines. The 5 bangers were timing chain eaters and they have to be replaced every 100K or so. My wife's 87' SDL has 265k on it and its just breaking in.. :D No timing chain maintenance needed, ever.

As a side note, the details on the "rod bender" engines are wrong, but the end result is the same. STAY AWAY from those engines unless you can prove that the block has been replaced with the SR 3.5. If it has, you have the best, most durable, highest HP diesel engine MB ever made.
 
#7 ·
Well Jubel, now that you mention that, thank you very much, I was planning to. Plus I was going to add the link. Originally I got this from another source and I just found the original source in my comings and goings. I was debating whether or not just to post the link or copy the whole thing over. I think I'll ask the mod over there what he prefers.
 
#8 ·
I'm considering fitting one of these engines into a '69 Dart (the OM617.952 engine fits the bill).
Thanks for posting this up, once I figured out how the model year correlated with the engine, it made deciding WHICH year and model I wanted to look for that much easier.

Mark.
 
#10 ·
Would I work?

I currently have a om602 in a ssanyong mosso 1995 and its non turbo. I needs to be re sleeved etc. i was wondering if i could upgrade to the om606 without changing the gearbox. could the om606 fit? and what are the parts i will need for the modification
 
#12 ·
I currently have a om602 in a ssanyong mosso 1995 and its non turbo. I needs to be re sleeved etc. i was wondering if i could upgrade to the om606 without changing the gearbox. could the om606 fit? and what are the parts i will need for the modification
maybe a 5-cylinder om605 would be a more reasonable option since it's shorter and then closer to the dimensions of your current engine... btw if your current gearbox is manual it eases the swap since there will be less electronics to deal with... but if you get an automatic transmission already bolted to the 605 it's not a bad idea to retain it...
 
#13 ·
Does anyone have detailed size information for the various OM engines?

I asked someone to measure their OM606, so for that engine I have

OM606 length: 31" height: 27" width: 23"

I'm particularly interested in the OM605, to see how much shorter it is.

Thanks,
-Dan
 
#15 ·
The OM605 would be a great option, though it never came to North America. It's a 606 with one less cylinder, so 2.5 5-cyl. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mercedes-Benz_OM605_engine
You can buy them all day long for $500 in the UK. I'm still trying to find exact dimensions. If you find them, please post here.

-Dan
 
#18 ·
I have two 617 turbo engines in MB cars. One has a rebuilt engine with over 100K , the other is original @ 280K. 5K change interval.

I am aware of the cam chain issue, and have run both exclusively with Mystic synthetic blend multi-viscosity. Neither has any measurable chain wear.

I previous years I ran petro oil, and the chains did wear to 7 degrees @ about 150K.

Just sayin'....it is a lot easier than changing out a chain...or worse, an engine.

DDG
 
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