What is involved in putting a 617 in a '91 350SDL - Page 3 - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

compu_85 · #31 11-16-2014, 05:55 PM

There was never a rod campaign. Some cars got replacements under the new car warranty, or as a goodwill gesture by MBUSA.

Some cars also never had trouble with the original parts.

-J

barry12345 · #32 11-16-2014, 11:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GJEMD

I've owned a 1990 350 SDL for 16 yrs and 115,000 Interstate miles after factory rod and head gasket campaign. 190,000 on the odometer. Not any issues. uses a quart every 2000 miles at 85 mph no more or less for 16 years. Strong as new rope.

Interstate driving primarily may be a better service environment for that engine. If you compare the thickness of material between cylinders. There is not much metal there compared to the 3 liter block at all. Some engineers where overruled or Mercedes was desperate when they overbored the 3 litre block. Remember this was to be a north American engine only. The north American dealers where screaming for more power in the model to sell it.. It was a quick corporate decision to do what they did I suspect.

The pistons are larger in diameter with less skirt support than the 3 liter as well. There are many diesels like my 9 liter international engine was. Those will last well at reasonable revolutions but tend to self destruct over time under too much loading or even no loading at low revolutions.

The dealers mechanics used to advise me to avoid idleing it for periods of time. I never did and that engine was still as good as new when I eventually sold the truck. If I had used it in cities very much . I doubt the end result would have been the same for the same accumulated miles. Personally if I owned a 3.5 Mercedes and drove eighty percent city I would make the transmission shift points a little later. That should reduce stress on the engine a little at least.

GJEMD · #33 11-17-2014, 11:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by compu_85

There was never a rod campaign. Some cars got replacements under the new car warranty, or as a goodwill gesture by MBUSA.

Some cars also never had trouble with the original parts.

-J

I hate to correct you, but I have the paper work from the Mercedes Dealer in Athens GA with labor and parts list. connecting rods, bearings and head gasket all replaced @ 75,000 miles in 1997. $4300 all on the Factory tab

compu_85 · #34 11-17-2014, 04:32 PM

Right, the dealer covered it for you. It wasn't something that every 350SDL owner could just bring their car in for and have the work done for free, the carhad to be showing symptoms and it was done on a case by case basis.

Did they install the cylinder liners too?

-J

GJEMD · #35 11-17-2014, 07:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by compu_85

Right, the dealer covered it for you. It wasn't something that every 350SDL owner could just bring their car in for and have the work done for free, the carhad to be showing symptoms and it was done on a case by case basis.

Did they install the cylinder liners too?

-J

I bought the 350 in 1998 from the original owner. It actually broke a rod suddenly at low speed from fatigue at 75,000 miles. I spoke with the service manager before buying the car. Parts and labor , Mercedes paid because of Public relation issues not the dealer. This car has given me no trouble in 16 years. I have driven it hard.

compu_85 · #36 11-17-2014, 08:53 PM

Good to hear!

I'd love to know more of the back story on my car, I believe I'm the 3rd or 4th owner.

Question for you: Does your SDL have the original exhaust still? Does it have a catalyst?

-J

ROLLGUY · #37 11-17-2014, 09:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by compu_85

Good to hear!

I'd love to know more of the back story on my car, I believe I'm the 3rd or 4th owner.

Question for you: Does your SDL have the original exhaust still? Does it have a catalyst?

-J

Are you asking me or GJEMD?

compu_85 · #38 11-17-2014, 10:08 PM

Well either really. My car had an aftermarket exhaust on it when I got it and the EPC isn't clear.

-J

ROLLGUY · #39 11-17-2014, 11:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by compu_85

Well either really. My car had an aftermarket exhaust on it when I got it and the EPC isn't clear.

-J

Mine does not have a cat, and is all original.

GJEMD · #40 11-18-2014, 05:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by compu_85

Good to hear!

I'd love to know more of the back story on my car, I believe I'm the 3rd or 4th owner.

Question for you: Does your SDL have the original exhaust still? Does it have a catalyst?

-J

original exhaust

krwsenior · #41 11-18-2014, 01:08 PM

No cat on mine either, and its original.

compu_85 · #42 11-18-2014, 02:26 PM

Thanks for the info guys!

Guess the angled injection really worked considering the 87s needed a cat.

-J

ROLLGUY · #43 11-18-2014, 03:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by compu_85

Thanks for the info guys!

Guess the angled injection really worked considering the 87s needed a cat.

-J

The need for a cat may have been for the CA models, but then again MB might have made all the earlier cars 50 state emissions compliant. With more computer controls, the later engines may not have needed a cat, even in CA (just speculation). However, my car was originally sold in Florida, so it would have been considered a 49 state car if the CA cars had a cat (I don't know this for sure for all '91 D's).

compu_85 · #44 11-18-2014, 05:27 PM

Only Cali 86 300SDLs had a trap ox or cat, but for 87 they all did.

-J