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  #1  
Old 06-03-2003, 04:07 PM
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More Power from 350SDL and Oil Questions

Is there any way to increase the power in the 3.5L engine...I am going to go ahead and purchase the whole engine in a few days from Mercedes via my mechanic to put in my 91 SDL. Also, once i do get my new engine..which oil do you guys suggest i should start it off with? I was putting in Valvoline Synthethic DuraBlend 20W-50. Should I switch to Mobil 1 Synthetic? I've noticed that they don't have the 20W-50? Thanks in advance.

Ro

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  #2  
Old 06-03-2003, 04:44 PM
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Oil wars - here we go.

At least I get to go first this time. Ask your tech what to use for break-in oil. Synthetic is not usually recommended for that.

After break-in, use Mobil Delvac-1 5W40 or Amsoil Heavy Duty Marine and Diesel 15W40. Uncle David is an Amsoil dealer and can fix you up. Or for a nominal fee you can become a dealer yourself and pick the stuff up at the depot on Silver Star road. Mobil Delvac-1 is harder to find locally, but can be mail ordered here: AvLube
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  #3  
Old 06-03-2003, 05:11 PM
turbodiesel
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I'm pretty sure once you get your new engine you will have no concerns about power. Your old worn out engine was not running to full capacity power-wise.
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  #4  
Old 06-03-2003, 05:39 PM
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I'd use top-quality dino oil for the first 3kmi or so. I'd change the oil & filter at about 500 to 1000 miles, and again at 3kmi, then switch to Delvac-1 and change every 5-15kmi depending on your driving habits (city or freeway).

As to power increase, first see how the new engine runs before trying to boost it. Options for power gain are pretty limited. You can try increasing the boost pressure *slightly* but this DOES NOT always provide a power gain! Adjusting the IP to provide more full-load fuel requires an internal IP adjustment and may be risky. There's also the possibility of a custom intercooler setup, Mossellman Turbo in Holland makes kits for the W124 and W201 turbo OM602/603 cars... they could probably create a custom kit for your W126 if you have enough $$$. But seriously, the new engine may be all the power you need, try it and let us know!

BTW - what's happening with your old engine? I am looking to buy a used 3.5L diesel head, if yours is for sale, I'm interested...


Good luck,
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  #5  
Old 06-03-2003, 05:44 PM
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My mechanic said that he is almost certain that the cylinder head in my car is cracked and that it wouldn't be worth it to open it up to find out the result. Second, he also said that my engine had been worked on before (my uncle owned the car before my dad and I). He said that the rods had been replaced after an accident that my uncle incurred, unfortuantely, Mercedes did not put a warranty on those rods. I'll ask my mechanic more questions tomorrow...I'll be getting my engine hopefully this week or next and i will let you know what i'm gonna do with the old one.

Ro
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Old 06-03-2003, 05:54 PM
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OK - thanks! BTW, what was the symptom of the cracked head, that made the mechanic sure it was toast...?
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  #7  
Old 06-03-2003, 06:02 PM
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Well the biggest thing that I noticed when my car brokedown was that the oil pressure gauge read 0. I had plenty of oil in there to begin with. When I saw that I immediately heard the engine make a screeching noise...almost like metal grinding with metal. I pulled over to check to see if there was oil leaking but there wasn't. I had it towed to my mech. and he told me the bad news that day. From reading the forums and the posts on this website, I have noticed that the biggest symptoms of this problem has been high oil consumption (1 quart every 500 to 750 miles for my car), loss of power (I couldn't even take a chevy astro van off the line), and rough idling. All of those symptoms seem consistent with my car's problems. I'm hoping the new engine will solve the problems...and if i were to have any problems, then the 4 year warranty will cover it.

Ro

P.S. Thank you Rick Miley for the information on which oil i should put in and thanks for Mr. Gray's phone number!
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  #8  
Old 06-03-2003, 06:03 PM
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If you modify the engine, you might void the decent warranty you get from MB. Something like 4 years/50K miles.

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  #9  
Old 06-03-2003, 06:03 PM
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I forgot to add that when my car was at the mechanic's place, they were unable to start the car...at least that was what i was told.

Ro
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  #10  
Old 06-03-2003, 06:17 PM
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Sounds like the usual bottom end failure on the 3.5L. The head may be OK, the 3.5 heads are pretty robust. If you get to keep the engine, I'm interested in the head, assuming it's not cracked... easy to tell once you pull it off the block!

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