G'day All!

I've heard heaps about the 603 cyl head cracking but does the 601, 602 othe the later 604, 605, 606 engines ever experience unprevoked cyl head cracking (without overheating) ?

We don't get many of the older diesels in Australia so I haven't seen enough to get an idea on reliability.

I've got a W201 with OM602 manual, I pull a large boat alot but I never sit on full throttle up any long hill, always just a bit back from it (prob 90%) to try and keep the temp down although it never passes 92DegC even with AC in the middle of summer.

I'll never hold full throttle on a hill even if the cyl heads aren't known for cracking............just wonderin........... :p

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Alex.

MB Tech
Sydney, Australia
Volvo 122S
W201 190D 2.5 manual
W202 C240
W203 C32

All the other heads (601, 602, etc) have NO problems with cracking unless they are severely abused (driven in the red zone). The early 603 heads (#14, maybe #15) are the fragile ones. The late 603 heads (#17, #20, #22) are all pretty bulletproof.

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Dave
Boise, ID
Check out my website photos, documents, and movies!

That's what I wanted to hear

Thanks

__________________
Alex.

MB Tech
Sydney, Australia
Volvo 122S
W201 190D 2.5 manual
W202 C240
W203 C32

But watch the chain. Some specific 602s had iffy timing chains. Dave probably knows what years and models. There might have been a recall in the US.

Sixto
95 S420
87 300SDL

Good point. It was a certain range of engine numbers. Full details in this PDF:

http://www.meimann.com/docs/mercedes/OM60x_Timing_Chain_TSB.pdf

Yeah, I went through ALL of the old bullitens at work (none of which were sorted) before I bought this car. My engine doesn't apply for the timing chain but I did need the hydraulic lifters (which i got for a good price ) reverse light switch in one day. Apart from that nothing else applied to it.

__________________
Alex.

MB Tech
Sydney, Australia
Volvo 122S
W201 190D 2.5 manual
W202 C240
W203 C32

I noticed in the PDF, the MB instructions on checking the cam timing said to use the V timing mark on the camshaft, not an indicator on a valve.

It also said to turn the engine by the crankshaft bolt.

So both of the above must be the correct methods.

P E H