Cost of 617 Rebuild - Time required - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

777funk · #1 07-22-2008, 10:33 AM

I don't own a 617 currently but if I buy another car with one I'd consider re-building when needed. There are companies like Metric out there that do this already but wondering on the value of that vs. DIY.

What is a reasonable estimate on time and cost?

I'd think of the following during rebuild time:
-Front and Rear Main Seals
-Bearings for Crank
-Rod Bearings
-New Cylinder Sleeves
-New Rings
-New Valve Seals
-New Timing Chain
-New Chain Tensioner
-New Gaskets
-New Injectors (or nozzles) if needed
-New Turbo Seals

vstech · #2 07-22-2008, 10:54 AM

pistons alone cost nearly 1600.00

777funk · #3 07-22-2008, 11:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vstech

pistons alone cost nearly 1600.00

I've never rebuilt a 617 but are pistons always (or usually) necessary. Forgive me if that's a dumb question.

I've always heard the bottom half of a MB Diesel engine (hard parts besides bearings etc) are not usually in bad shape.

TheDon · #4 07-22-2008, 11:14 AM

sometimes.....

#5 07-22-2008, 11:20 AM

Depends on oil quality (maintenance) and how hard it was run. The pistons have wear limits that can be measured. At their high cost, they should be replaced only as a last option. If they are undamaged you should at least try to save them.

Read through here: http://www.pauldrayton.com/uploadfiles/merc/Service/W123/Index/617Tindex.html

777funk · #6 07-22-2008, 11:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ForcedInduction

Depends on oil quality (maintenance) and how hard it was run. The pistons have wear limits that can be measured. At their high cost, they should be replaced only as a last option. If they are undamaged you should at least try to save them.

Read through here: http://www.pauldrayton.com/uploadfiles/merc/Service/W123/Index/617Tindex.html

That's more of what I was thinking. And $1600 is an expensive part of a rebuild! I wonder if M.M. replaces the pistons.

pawoSD · #7 07-22-2008, 12:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 777funk

That's more of what I was thinking. And $1600 is an expensive part of a rebuild! I wonder if M.M. replaces the pistons.

I think Metric Replaces just about everything, probably why a complete rebuilt 617 from them currently costs like $6995!!!

rrgrassi · #8 07-22-2008, 12:12 PM

MM is a long block, and includes the IP.

Cr from Texas · #9 07-22-2008, 12:56 PM

Your best bet is to buy a car with a strong 617 and not plan on doing a rebuild. Unless you are a very experienced rebuilder, you don't want to start on a 617 as a learning experience. I get a sense from your posts that you are at best an intermediate level mechanic.

barry123400 · #10 07-22-2008, 05:36 PM

Ebay has been listing a set of new aftermarket pistons for 275.00? I have no knowledge of the quality in comparison to the originals or if they have any other problems. These are for the natural aspired 616 and 617s only. They may be fine for all I know.

charmalu · #11 07-22-2008, 05:51 PM

Yes, you do get new pistons with a metric engine.

Basically all components contained between valve cover and oil pan.

I drove down to metric and picked up our new engine almost a year ago.
Aug 8 to be exact. for me it was close to 400 miles. we did it in a day.
now from the middle of Missouri, that`s a long drive.

we spent $6000.00 for the eng. that is a lot of money to spend to install
into a $1500.00 to $3000.00 car. when the timing chain broke it was worth $50.00

.

If I wreck the car, the eng is coming out.

If you want to rebuild the engine for the fun of it, great. but I wanted it
done right w/o corners cut trying to nickle and diming it together.

check out their web site www.mercedesengines.net

charlie

Cervan · #12 07-22-2008, 07:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by charmalu

Yes, you do get new pistons with a metric engine.

Basically all components contained between valve cover and oil pan.

I drove down to metric and picked up our new engine almost a year ago.
Aug 8 to be exact. for me it was close to 400 miles. we did it in a day.
now from the middle of Missouri, that`s a long drive.

we spent $6000.00 for the eng. that is a lot of money to spend to install
into a $1500.00 to $3000.00 car. when the timing chain broke it was worth $50.00

.

If I wreck the car, the eng is coming out.

If you want to rebuild the engine for the fun of it, great. but I wanted it
done right w/o corners cut trying to nickle and diming it together.

check out their web site www.mercedesengines.net

charlie

There is a difference between cutting corners and being smart. I would simply measure the piston OD to make sure that you will have the correct clearances. after that you shouldnt have much of an issue, except for the crankshaft make sure those clearances are correct, mic each journal. Every mercedes 616 engine's bottom ends are bullet proof because mercedes used top of the line materials great engineering and very tight clearances. if you want a bullet proof bottom end, do it the same way mercedes did it.

As for the pistons, if they are deeply scored or something is wrong with them, I would bore it oversized and then throw these in there

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Mercedes-Diesel-Pistons-Rings-8mm-240D-300D-300TD_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ33623QQihZ016QQitemZ260264212231QQrdZ1QQsspagenameZWDVW

Hatterasguy · #13 07-22-2008, 09:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 777funk

That's more of what I was thinking. And $1600 is an expensive part of a rebuild! I wonder if M.M. replaces the pistons.

Yes they do, thats why you pay $7k.

777funk · #14 07-22-2008, 09:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hatterasguy

Yes they do, thats why you pay $7k.

I guess you get what you pay for. But I wonder how the MM rebuild stacks up to the originals. It'll be interesting to see as time goes on if the MM rebuilds will pile up 350k without thinking twice.

vstech · #15 07-22-2008, 10:19 PM

don't forget to inspect the ring lands if you plan to reuse the pistons. pistons with rings that move in the groove are not to be used....