With good maintenance, how long should a 5 cyl diesel/turbodiesel last before it needs a rebuild? At what mileage, typically, will it need a cyl. head?

Any stories or advice?

my 1985 300d turbo (california) has 349k on the original engine. the cylinder head has never been off. on the 2nd tranny though!
I bought it from a fireman that changed the oil every 3k.
I had another 123 non turbo with all original that needed new pistons and all exhaust valves at 116k miles! so i think its just how you drive and service these engines.

My '85 SD has the original motor and tranny and they have never been rebuilt. My bro-in-law used to own a '82 SD and he beat the hell out of the thing and hardly ever did any maint. (50,000 between valve adjust, tranny slam to chirp tires, etc.) When he sold it, it was hard to start but once running it ran fine. It had 440,000 miles. The only thing that was replaced was the turbo.

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'85 300SD (formerly california emissions)
'08 Chevy Tahoe
'93 Ducati 900 SS
'79 Kawasaki KZ 650
'86 Kawasaki KX 250
'88 Kawasaki KDX200
'71 Hodaka Ace 100
'72 Triumph T100R

With good maintenance, I think the consensus is that they'll last until you either get tired of them or die.

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Rick Miley
2014 Tesla Model S
2018 Tesla Model 3
2017 Nissan LEAF
Former MB: 99 E300, 86 190E 2.3, 87 300E, 80 240D, 82 204D Euro
Chain Elongation References

I'll go with Rick, but I don't know if I'll ever tire of my 83 300TDT. It has 340,000 miles on it and does everything I ask of it. I service the engine regularly. The engine is original, but the trans has been changed. The key to diesel longevity is maintenance and long distance driving. Putzing around town will kill a diesel.

Peter

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Auto Zentral Ltd.

My 303 has 334,000 on it and I actually like driving it more and more as time goes by.....Iafter I did the seats, I feel more comfortable in it than before. The seats looked shotty, although not as bad as some I have seen.

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Enough about me, how are you doing?

I think it is not so much the engine as it is being able to glance over your shoulder after exiting the car, looking back at the gorgeous piece you spent all morning cleaning and waxing and smiling, knowing you have something special.

When people come up to you and tell you your car is in great shape and inquire "how much" you are willing to part with it for. Despite the near 300K miles on the odometer.

Oh, and the occasional smoke-screen effect when the diesel gets a little constipated: The best method ever for getting rid of tailgating SUV's. The smoke rises over the hood, and they think their OWN VEHICLE is on fire, lol.

Keep you car in good appearance, and you will never tire of it.

Keep the valves adjusted properly and use good oil, changed frequently, and 300,000 miles without service isn't impossible. change coolant every other year, too (reminds me that all my cars need fresh coolant!).

It seems to be typical of MB engines to require a valve job around 200,000 miles, at least on the gas engine. Diesels may or may not last longer, depending on mainetenance and service.

The block should go 500,000 with frequent oil changes.


Peter

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1972 220D ?? miles
1988 300E 200,012
1987 300D Turbo killed 9/25/07, 275,000 miles
1985 Volvo 740 GLE Turobodiesel 218,000
1972 280 SE 4.5 165, 000 - It runs!

I agree with Peter. Keep the valves adjusted and use a good brand of oil. Brand doesn't matter. I have 340,000 on the old wagon with whatever brand was on sale as long as it is a known good quality brand. It starts right up in cold weather, doesn't smoke, has plenty of power to climb Carson Pass at 10,000 ft, and doesn't use oil.

Peter

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Auto Zentral Ltd.

Do not use just any old oil. Make sure that you use a diesel oil that is designed to suspend soot, such as delvac, rotella or dello.

300,000 miles without service isn't impossible.

What? We are talking about the 617 here? I would say that 300,000 is ablsolutely to be expected. 5 to 600,000 is realistic. 900,000 to 1 million isn't impossible.

It seems to be typical of MB engines to require a valve job around 200,000 miles, at least on the gas engine. Diesels may or may not last longer, depending on mainetenance and service.

617's absolutley do last longer, and they are not typical MB engines. You can't compare the 617 with any of the gas engines or later diesel engines for that matter. It's an entirely different sweet beast.

Actually, the block on the 2.3L four and the equivalent age six cylinders is quite similar, with shorter stroke and aluminum rather than cast iron head. Crank is probably a bit lighter, but they are HUGE compared to american products of similar vintage.

Benz built them tough in those days, I'm always amazed that people can rebuild them and they don't run forever!

Peter

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1972 220D ?? miles
1988 300E 200,012
1987 300D Turbo killed 9/25/07, 275,000 miles
1985 Volvo 740 GLE Turobodiesel 218,000
1972 280 SE 4.5 165, 000 - It runs!

Peter,
What are you talking about?

Peter

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Auto Zentral Ltd.

for the most part, that depends on you. I bought my mb in may, just did the 3rd oil change this week-end, wow 9k already, keep it looking good, change the oil regularly, and you'll love the car for its quailty, and the looks ya get from others.

chip

It will run until you kill it.

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N. Hodges
1994 S350
1987 300 SDL (for sale)

aluminum rather than cast iron

That makes a world of difference.