Any known problem with MB's V6?

[J.HIDALGO]

I know the inline 6 had some problems, during different years, with seals, head gasket, front cover leaks. Are there any known problems with the new V6?what about the "new" transmission?
TIA

[joe p]

Being I'm no longer a dealer line tech, yes.
m112
oil consumption, coked oil rings.
early ones blow apart balncers.
AIR pump passages in the heads pluggin up on occasion.
Had a few with silicone flaking off and plugging the rocker shafts.


722.6
conducter plates both shorting out and leaking from the connecter
front and rear sprag failures
pump leaks from attachment bolts.
shifter interlock boot leaks.
shifter failures
all in all, pretty good unit, especially compared to the junk used by other manufacters.

One thing I say from personal experience CHANGE THE FLUID @ 60k intervals. Use the MB fluid.


BTW, it would seem I might be one of the few Indys that'll working on the .6 but I'll warn you failures are expensive.


Joe

[blackmercedes]

I've heard that the M112 also suffers from a higher incidence of MAS failures, but all new cars are suffering this problem due to the new MAS design.

I know a couple people with higher miles 98 E320 cars with the 3.2 version, and it seems that ignoring the FSS is the key to making the M112 last. They use synthetic oil, and change it much more often than the FSS calls for. I would NOT buy a 98+ MB used car that was "serviced by the book." Much more frequent oil/filter changes are called for.

The 722.6 seems like "luck of the draw" and problems seem to show up early. Both our current 98 models have the five-speed and they have been perfect. I had another 98 C230 that was not so lucky, and the transmission failed completely by 6000 kilometers. My friend Kevin has a 1998 C280 that also had tranny failure. My Dad's 1998 C230 has 70K-kilometers, and no tranny problems whatsoever.

Don't be fooled into thinking this is unique to MB. I know a few Acura owners, and the new TL five-speed auto is HIGHLY failure prone. I rode in a Lexus IS300 a month ago that had a slipping five-speed auto, and this problem seems common over at Lexus.

Were I shopping for a 97/98, I would probably pick the 98, and go for the V-6. As to 722.6 problems, well, I love having five speeds, and will endure teething problems. Changing marques seems to make no difference with transmissions.

[loubapache]

It sounds like the "oil consumption, coked oil rings" is caused by infrequent oil changes in the FSS cars.

The earlier ones were using dino oil for 10 - 15kmi change intervals. This must be one of the best things MB invented for a long time.

The Electronic Control Unit in the transmission was replaced in my 97E320. I have about 59kmi now so I am looking for a fluid change.

[jjrodger]

Mine hasn't missed a beat in 35k miles. It certainly doesn't use any oil, not a drop.

I change the oil every 8k miles and use only Mobil 1. The dealer thinks I'm mad for coming in 4k miles early. He told me that the long service interval is OK because the motor contains 8 litres of oil. I'm not so sure.

The engine was recently likened to a i-4 in a UK publication but in my view it is very sweet, albeit not a BMW i-6. The V-6 was awarded 4th best engine in the world in some US report.

Transmission is a joy to use.

Try this link to a past post for a rave review:

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/showthread.php?threadid=1582&highlight=M112