240D motor - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

kolnerspieler · #1 04-22-2009, 07:16 PM

Hi,
i am thinking about buying a 240 motor. The guy claims that the motor has about 140 to 160k on it. It came out of an 84 model. I have an 81 240d. Now would that motor fit into my car(i assume it would). Also the guys claims that the motor has been in storage for several year. Does that matter at all.

leathermang · #2 04-22-2009, 07:45 PM

If a motor has been in storage for some time I would automatically replace the valve springs... because some of them have been in compression all that time...

Shawn T. W. · #3 04-22-2009, 07:45 PM

If it came out of a 84 it has to be a euro model, or he doesn't have the year right, ask him more about the car it came out of.

kolnerspieler · #4 04-22-2009, 11:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by leathermang

If a motor has been in storage for some time I would automatically replace the valve springs... because some of them have been in compression all that time...

how hard would it be to swap the motor. I have never done a swap.

JimmyL · #5 04-23-2009, 12:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kolnerspieler

how hard would it be to swap the motor. I have never done a swap.

It is about as easy as engine swaps go. I put in an engine with over twice that mileage and it does just fine for the most part.....

asnowsquall · #6 04-23-2009, 05:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kolnerspieler

Hi,
i am thinking about buying a 240 motor. The guy claims that the motor has about 140 to 160k on it. It came out of an 84 model. I have an 81 240d. Now would that motor fit into my car(i assume it would). Also the guys claims that the motor has been in storage for several year. Does that matter at all.

That wouldn't happen to come with a standard tranny?

R Leo · #7 04-23-2009, 09:33 AM

IIRC, Euro 240s have a slightly different throttle linkage than the US-spec 240. Could be an issue if those pieces are missing from the Euro engine.

MBJOE · #8 04-23-2009, 10:05 PM

I thought that they quit making the 240D in 1983

lietuviai · #9 04-23-2009, 10:08 PM

MB stopped importing them to the US in 1983. They were still available elsewhere in the world until 1985.

Brandon_SLC · #10 04-23-2009, 11:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lietuviai

MB stopped importing them to the US in 1983. They were still available elsewhere in the world until 1985.

I didn't know that. My local dealer still had brand new 240Ds for sale during spring 1984. I guess they could have been left over 83's. Diesels were still selling well in Seattle at the time, and IIRC US spec 190s were late arriving. I was tempted to buy one, as that was the time period that I had my beautiful, but troublesome w115 280 sedan. I ended up getting a 1980 w116 300sd.

t walgamuth · #11 04-24-2009, 06:09 AM

I would not be concerned about the valve springs. I have resurrected numerous cars which had been sitting for years and never had any issues with valve springs.

leathermang · #12 04-24-2009, 08:49 AM

Tom, I can understand why you would not be concerned about these valve springs. If something happens along the lines of a spring breaking and it causes damage to the piston and valve, requiring that the head be pulled to work on...and maybe a piston replaced... you will not be on the line for the cost...
I am saying that given the knowledge that the engine sat for years... which means some of those springs were in a constant load situation compared to the other ones.. that they may float at a lower rpm than the others....and / or break ... so the question to you is whether or not this design engine, if a valve breaks, has the potential for causing major damage... piston to valve contact.... and the relative cost of simply putting new springs , valve rotators , valve stem seals, and new cap and lock nuts on the valves... like the FSM suggests doing periodically.... compared to the potential for larger damage leaving it and using it after a long rest.
Those things I just mentioned are easy to do when doing a valve stem seal replacement... they are all OFF sitting around anyway... so the only difference in putting it back together is having the news ones to install instead of putting the old ones back in....
Some research into metal fatigue in general would be advisable before making the decision.

moon161 · #13 04-24-2009, 04:24 PM

Fatigue is cycle dependant. Creep may apply here, but not fatigue.

leathermang · #14 04-24-2009, 05:20 PM

I do not know what creep is....
Instead of posting a SA answer which constitutes a distinction without a difference...
How about , if you know so much about metals,say whether my general proposition is correct ( in your opinion ).... ????
....The part about a spring under constant load for years having different working properties ( and failure potential ) than one the same age but not under compression for that same time period.

winmutt · #15 04-24-2009, 05:40 PM

I could swap out a 240d without an engine hoist... almost.

As far as engine swaps go it doesnt get much easier than a 240D in a W123. So much room you can sit in the engine bay and have a tea party for 3. You don't even have to bend over for most of the bolts.