Need info on new V6 diesel

[oldnavy]

Hey guys I am in the process of shopping for a Sprinter Motor Home and was wondering if any of the MB tech's here on the forum have been to school on the V6 diesel and if so give me some info as to buy now and stay with the tried & true I5 or wait for the new V6 with all the power. It has 375 ftlbs of torque vs 243 for the I5 and moving a rig like the sprinter that extra 130 ftlbs of torque would be great.

The things that has me undecided is will the V6 have the reliability, will there be a big increase in price for the new '07 with both the engine change and body syle change? If anyone here has an opinion based of actual first hand knowledge please chime in an share with an old squid.

[t walgamuth]

and while were on the subject, anybody know of a picture showing the block on the v6? i have gotten very curious about the bore spacing on it and specifically the space between the cylinders with the discussion of the 3.6 liter 603 motor.

wow, old navy you getting those mileage figures on the jeep by your own calculation? folks here have been knocking the mileage of those... but your figures are impressive.

tom w

[pawoSD]

All I know of about the new V6 diesel is that fleet of 4 E-class models that MB had touring the US a while ago, and they did that 100,000 mile nonstop "endurance race" which they all passed with ease, and then went on to tour the country....so I'd say they are pretty reliable...

[oldnavy]

Originally Posted by t walgamuth

and while were on the subject, anybody know of a picture showing the block on the v6? i have gotten very curious about the bore spacing on it and specifically the space between the cylinders with the discussion of the 3.6 liter 603 motor.

wow, old navy you getting those mileage figures on the jeep by your own calculation? folks here have been knocking the mileage of those... but your figures are impressive.

tom w

This is the only source I have for block picture MB V6 Diesel Block It states 106 mm between cylinders.

For some reason some peole really don't seem to due well on thier mpg's for some reason. My guess is it is a combo of fuel, tire size & driving styles. But like quite a few others on the LOST KJ forum we are getting steady average of 22 city and 30 mpg highway. The little thing in my hands would probably not do well as I like to feel the torque too much and leave V6's and even some V8's wondering what just happened at the light or on the pass up a long grade. How many stock diesel vehicles will squall the tires when the light changes? The CRD will easy leave my Magnum in the dust when the light changes.

[t walgamuth]

there is lots of room between the cylinders for sealing. great! i note that the iron liners are cast in too. looks promising.

is that crd jeep available with the five speed too?

tom w

[oldnavy]

Originally Posted by t walgamuth

there is lots of room between the cylinders for sealing. great! i note that the iron liners are cast in too. looks promising.

is that crd jeep available with the five speed too?

tom w

Currently in US the CRD only available with the 5 spd auto found behind the Hemi powered pick up truck (nor an MB trannny, but very solid trans) and not available with the 6 manual speed tranny like the V6 gasser for some reason.

I guess the cast in liners would help prevent cavation and allow for rebuilding the block, instead of throwing it away.

[t walgamuth]

i dont follow the part about cavatation.

i understood the rest though. no stick...pity.

i think the fiver auto is mb designed.

tom w

[oldnavy]

Originally Posted by t walgamuth

i dont follow the part about cavatation.

i understood the rest though. no stick...pity.

i think the fiver auto is mb designed.

tom w

No they are not using the W5A580 MB tranny in the Liberty, that is used in LX car's & Durango which is a ML series clone using MOPAR engines, the 545R is used from the Dodge PU truck. There may be a manual tranny in '07, but don't hold your breath. The Dakota will have both options, 545R or the 6 spd tranny with the VM 2.8 CRD model and will probablly take all the manual trannys.

[Diesel Giant]

V6 barf! Why in the world other than making the engine shorter for a shorter front end, would they go from a super smooth and heavy duty I-5 to the V6 design. I hate V design engines.

Notice that after several decades, GM has returned to the I-5 and I-6 in many of there trucks.

Inline engines are smoother, have less parts, more main bearing surface area, much less vibration, more torque, 1 head.

They are longer and taller, but so what.

Down with V style engines.

[oldnavy]

Originally Posted by Diesel Giant

V6 barf! Why in the world other than making the engine shorter for a shorter front end, would they go from a super smooth and heavy duty I-5 to the V6 design. I hate V design engines.

Notice that after several decades, GM has returned to the I-5 and I-6 in many of there trucks.

Inline engines are smoother, have less parts, more main bearing surface area, much less vibration, more torque, 1 head.

They are longer and taller, but so what.

Down with V style engines.

It is all about sloped noses that give a good Coefficient of drag, and being able to fit same engine in more cars across the various model lines such as C class.

PS: No more I-6 engine either.

[t walgamuth]

dont understand the cavitation comment.

tom w

[Diesel Giant]

Cavitation is a condition that will happen to engines with replaceable cylinder liners. As the engine runs the liners vibrate at a different frequency than the block, which produces small water bubbles on the coolant side of the liner. The bubbles hammer at the liner until, they make tiny pin holes and the cylinder starts burning coolant. By replaceable I mean you use a tool with an impact wrench to pull them out. No machine shop needed.

Caviation is very avoidable with DCA additive. Conditions the coolant so that the problem never happens. Only on cars with wet type lines will it affect. Ford Powerstroke engines die from this all the time. CLass 8 tractor trailer engines also have this problem. I rebuilt many an engine when I worked at Cummins in Atlanta, that had this problem.

The Mercedes and Cummins 5.9 engine in the Dodge Rams do not have this problem.

[oldnavy]

Originally Posted by t walgamuth

dont understand the cavitation comment.

tom w

Has to do with coolant cabvitation problems in sleeved engines. The sleeve sometimes will rotate out of position when the coolant cavitates and vibrates the engine. This is not really exact but it's close and you can google it for a more detailed discription

[t walgamuth]

thanks, guys.

now i see. i have not been aware of this phenomona before.

tom w

[oldnavy]

Originally Posted by t walgamuth

thanks, guys.

now i see. i have not been aware of this phenomona before.

tom w

That's because you drive a MB.