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  #1  
Old 12-22-2007, 09:09 AM
240Joe's Avatar
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List your major MB diesel engine failures here

Let's start a list of major diesel engine failures here.

Give us the year, model, mileage, and probable cause.

I've had 3 MB diesels and have had no engine failures.

Then again, I've never had any major engine failure except for a Saab that burnt a valve because the dealership mis-adjusted a lifter...a dreaded maintenance induced failure I used to talk about all the time.

240Joe

PS...my reasoning for this list is to show most failures have absolutely nothing to do with oil change interval...and most are related to overheats, or doing something really stupid...like never checking the oil, or leaving the oil cap off, etc.

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  #2  
Old 12-22-2007, 09:19 AM
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I've seen two 617's throw rods, cyl#1. One turbo and one NA. The first was too destroyed to determine what came apart and the 2nd is still sitting in my garage waiting for disassembly.
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  #3  
Old 12-22-2007, 10:31 AM
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I don't know if one can consider this major. However, for me it was beyond repair. My '84 300D died a slow death: No start below 50F, so I used the block heater year round. Later the engine stalled when put in gear, so I adjusted the idle speed to 1000rpm. Mpgs went way down, so I adjusted the valves. Eventually I did a compression test and there it was: #1 had 240psi, #s 2,3, and 4 had around 300psi and #5 had 160psi. #1-4 went up with oil, #5 stayed the same, so I probably had 1 cyl. with extremely worn or broken rings 3 moderately worn cylinders and 1 broken valve. She still made it into my driveway on her own power before I put her to sleep and parted her out.
Only 271000 miles and probably abused by PO. I had her only for 2 years and 30k miles.
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  #4  
Old 12-22-2007, 11:40 AM
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We might hear from quite a few people whose cars look like this, at least from the back.

Paging Sixto...


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Last edited by VWGuru&BenzFan; 12-22-2007 at 12:59 PM.
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  #5  
Old 12-22-2007, 12:56 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 240Joe View Post

PS...my reasoning for this list is to show most failures have absolutely nothing to do with oil change interval...and most are related to overheats, or doing something really stupid...like never checking the oil, or leaving the oil cap off, etc.
Your logic is flawed, as usual.

The failure to change engine oil on a timely basis will increase wear in the engine. Eventually, the compression will be too low to reliably start. This won't be considered an "engine failure" per-se and it won't appear on your list.

So, although you'll get a few posts regarding various engine failures, the lack of the capability to link those failures to OCI is not meaningful.

And, I'm quite sure you already know this.

Be careful on what you post on this thread...........I won't permit more of your trolling.
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  #6  
Old 12-22-2007, 01:58 PM
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good

Tom W
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[SIGPIC] Diesel loving autocrossing grandpa Architect. 08 Dodge 3/4 ton with Cummins & six speed; I have had about 35 benzes. I have a 39 Studebaker Coupe Express pickup in which I have had installed a 617 turbo and a five speed manual.[SIGPIC]

..I also have a 427 Cobra replica with an aluminum chassis.
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  #7  
Old 12-22-2007, 04:33 PM
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In reading the Forum, I see this

Many of what are considered failures are blunders on the part of the owner. In the three years of steady reading we have heard of the following failures. I'll list them as they pop into my noodle. First, crankshaft nose failure. I suspect if we would really be able to analyze this problem, that in almost every case someone did a botched job of replacing the balancer The second one is lost engine do to fast loss of engine oil. Cooler hose failure. Hose cut off because engine dropped so low that the PS belt sawed the hose. Owners have to check and replace those mounts now and then. Usually that will end an engine. It is unrepairable of course if the rod goes through the block. And number three, though it is not as high on the list, is timing chain failure. Again, in most case we have a chain replaced not too long ago and it takes out an engine. I believe that people are replacing the chain and not properly setting the last link. That is very tragic, but if we as non professionals are going to be working on these cars, we have to be very sure we do it right. I myself believe that the product is so well built that it will serve for an extremely long time. But a stupid move can end it all in a hurry!
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1983 Mercedes W123 240D 4 Speed 285,000 on the road with a 617 turbo, beautiful butter yellow, license plate # 83 240D INDIANA

2003 Jaguar Type X, AWD. beautiful, good mileage,
Mom's car, but I won't let her drive it!
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  #8  
Old 12-22-2007, 04:52 PM
mrhills0146
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I think someone on here lost a 616 due to run-away.

Scary stuff right there!
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  #9  
Old 12-22-2007, 05:10 PM
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I bought an 83' 240D with 117K miles on it. The #1 rod bearing was completely destroyed, knocked horribly. Upon disassembly I noticed that what was left of the rod bearings had "spun" over to one side of the rod. The journal on the crank was completely wasted, almost egg shaped. What caused this? I don't know?
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  #10  
Old 12-22-2007, 05:12 PM
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Fuel leaks, constantly failing since new. In sig.

Oil related? Duh, no!
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  #11  
Old 12-23-2007, 08:47 PM
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Oil related

You maybe don't know, but the PO does. He probably neglected it and ran it out of oil. You evidently bought it with the existing "knock". I hope you knew what you were getting. That is not the engines fault, that is operator error. Owners kill most of these engines because of ignorance.
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Junqueyardjim
Christianity, if false, is of no importance, and if true, of infinite importance. The only thing it cannot be is moderately important. C.S. Lewis



1983 Mercedes W123 240D 4 Speed 285,000 on the road with a 617 turbo, beautiful butter yellow, license plate # 83 240D INDIANA

2003 Jaguar Type X, AWD. beautiful, good mileage,
Mom's car, but I won't let her drive it!
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  #12  
Old 12-23-2007, 09:54 PM
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timing chain failure, my uncles wagon. Loved the thing so much he had the engine rebuilt
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  #13  
Old 12-23-2007, 10:09 PM
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Absolutely none whatsoever!
Proper maintenance and inspection as prescribed by the owners manual along with scheduled oil changes will prevent any premature catastrophic failure.
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84 300D Turbodiesel 190K with 4 speed manual sold in 03/2012
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  #14  
Old 12-23-2007, 10:14 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by mdlwolf View Post
I bought an 83' 240D with 117K miles on it. The #1 rod bearing was completely destroyed, knocked horribly. Upon disassembly I noticed that what was left of the rod bearings had "spun" over to one side of the rod. The journal on the crank was completely wasted, almost egg shaped. What caused this? I don't know?
Your 83 had more like 417k miles...
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  #15  
Old 12-23-2007, 10:16 PM
Craig
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Veggi2Fuel View Post
Your 83 had more like 417k miles...
My '82 has 416K miles and the rod bearings are doing just fine. Of course, I do change my oil every 5000 miles.

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