That has not been my experience here in Canada. Our regional tech rep is very knowledgeable about all models and has more experience with Benzes of all stripes than anyone here for sure. That has been his job for 20+ years. He is also able to bend the rules with goodwill etc. He arranged for certain repairs to my W210 well out of warranty.

I have no knowledge of MBUSA reps, but if you get to the right person, I am sure they too could be helpful. They won't do the diagnosis, but will hopefully provide guidance. This is not the first one of these engines to seize up. And, it costs ZERO to try them.

Most Indies have no clue when it comes to Bluetec diesels. They may not even be able to change SCN coded parts, so car would have to go to dealer anyway for those.

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Graham
85 300D,72 350SL, 98 E320, Outback 2.5

But with a GL you also have 4matic (unless bypassed/removed in the process) which adds burden on the engine. A huge alternator to power all the gadgets in the car, and a massive A/C system to keep that huge cabin cool, once you subtract all the power needed for those items your not at a 240d anymore, more like a 180d or 200d.

I had a 190e that I converted to an OM601.....72HP in a ~2800lb car. It was borderline dangerously slow. Think about merging onto a busy uphill freeway ramp in a 125HP GL......yeah.....it was stressful enough in the 190d.


A much better swap if your going that route would be an OM606 converted to non-electronic injection control (or keep it if you like making that stuff work properly). Or the real monster....OM648!

__________________
-diesel is not just a fuel, its a way of life-
'15 GLK250 Bluetec 118k - mine - (OC-123,800)
'17 Metris(VITO!) - 37k - wifes (OC-41k)
'09 Sprinter 3500 Winnebago View - 62k (OC - 67k)
'13 ML350 Bluetec - 95k - dad's (OC-98k)
'01 SL500 - 103k(km) - dad's (OC-110,000km)
'16 E400 4matic Sedan - 148k - Brothers (OC-155k)

I was thinking OM616, but only if backed up with an automatic.

I'm surprised an MB owner can actually communicate with a technical rep (phone, e-mail, etc) so you're very fortunate. I can assure you it doesn't work that way in the US. I've been working at the same MB dealership for over 35 years and have met, trained, and travelled with, dozens of "technical reps", whether they be with Field Technical Service, Service Engineering, or regional reps.

MBUSA will simply advise to bring the vehicle to a dealer and open a file with a case number. Once the dealer opens a repair order the system will alert the dealer that the customer has contacted MBUSA. The dealer will be able to see a transcript of the call/e-mail, word-for-word.

Once a determination is made concerning repair cost, the customer can ask for "goodwill". This is usually a 3-way deal between the owner, dealer, and MBUSA. If the owner has been a loyal MB owner and services their vehicle(s) regularly at a dealer, the chances of getting "goodwill" are excellent. The amount is negotiable and is also a 3-way deal. If there is no dealer service history the chances of getting help are next to nothing.

I agree that it doesn't cost a thing to reach out to MBUSA so the owner has nothing to lose, so why not give it a shot?

Second shop also says it is locked up and needs a new engine. Again, not much diagnosis on the actual cause without costing me a pretty penny. Once I receive their quote for engine replacement, I will figure out what to do next. Regarding taking it to the dealer, it has not been serviced by Mercedes since I have owned it, so I wouldn't expect any goodwill. I anticipate selling it as-is unless this other shop is much cheaper than the $15k quoted by the first.

You'd be better off looking for a similar car rear ended on copart and just swapping the engine...

That is a good summary. I have been a loyal MB owner and also have close relationship with dealer. My first contact with the regional rep, he called me! Referred by my dealer. Probably to do with Spring Perches on W210. After that I emailed or called him a couple of times about other issues on other cars. He was always helpful. So I was fortunate and agree, this may not apply to all.

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Graham
85 300D,72 350SL, 98 E320, Outback 2.5

This is true. Are there not sites in USA where you can search for engines in your area or in whole country? I seem to recall 380SL owners needing to do that when timing chains destroyed their engines.!

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Graham
85 300D,72 350SL, 98 E320, Outback 2.5

https://www.car-part.com/


anything from gas tanks for a w126 to engines for a GL350 (I looked it up and the few that are available are ~10k)

Problem is that these engines, like many others, are a $6k proposition just for an engine or a refurbished long block, then all the labor to pull and install, check out, debug, and probably for these new fancy vehicles, fully re-code all the subsystems. Sounds like a mess.

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Current Diesels:
1981 240D (73K)
1982 300CD (169k)
1985 190D (169k)
1991 350SD (116k)
1991 350SD (206k)
1991 300D (228k)
2008 ML320 CDI (199k)
1996 Dodge Ram CTD (442k)
1996 Dodge Ram CTD (267k)

Past Diesels:
1983 300D (228K), 1985 300D (233K), 1993 300D 2.5T (338k), 1993 300SD (291k)

Right. The first place found a company that sells reman engines for the 350 for ~$10k and then labor was quoted at $2,800 + an additional potential $500 in misc. parts + tax would be just under $15k. My concern is that they would do all of that and then realize that it needs some other things to actually get it running and the cost would just continue to skyrocket after that. I am heading towards selling it as-is and cutting my losses as I would rather not spend the money just to continue driving a car I can't trust.

I do not know if you do any mechanical work. I tend to do my own.

I would at least try to establish what the problem is. Broken camshaft or whatever. Some situations will be nasty and some not so much. It just depends. I would at least pull the valve pan or pans. I kind of doubt that a main or rod bearing has locked the engine up at that millage.

Also you might try asking Mercedes what is the typical failure issue with these engines. At low overall millage. They have to know as there are other members reporting knowledge of the issue.

Timing chain issue? At the potential dollars otherwise is concerning. Two reports that engine is locked up are not really that informative. Sometimes a broken cam is really bad and other times not that much.

Personally I would not write that engine off until I knew a lot more.

I don't believe that a seized engine would turn over a few times after seizing a piston in the cylinder.

A broken timing chain may do that by jamming.

__________________
Greg
2012 S350 BlueTEC 4Matic
2007 ML 320 CDI
2007 Leisure Travel Serenity
2006 Sprinter 432k
2005 E320 CDI
1998 SLK230 (teal)
1998 SLK230 (silver)
1996 E300D 99k, 30k on WVO
Previous:
1983 240D, on WVO
1982 300D, on WVO
1983 300CD, on WVO
1986 300SDL 237k, 25k on WVO (Deerslayer)
1991 350SDL 249k, 56k on WVO - Retired to a car spa in Phoenix
1983 380 SEC w/603 diesel, 8k on WVO
1996 E300D 351k, 177k on WVO

I was actually thinking about this last night as well. It didn't seize when she was driving, but only after trying to start it a few times with it turning over.

You are right Barry. I already suggested that a couple of times, but seems no action on that front

I suspect this car would have to go to dealer anyway after an engine swap to recode/set electronic systems.

__________________
Graham
85 300D,72 350SL, 98 E320, Outback 2.5