Additionally, worn valve stems can also be a common cause of nagging leaks and higher oil consumption. Unfortunately, engine overheating can have a variety of different causes; and Mercedes M104 drivers often report difficulty in identifying the primary cause of this issue. Another common cause is a damaged or worn internal component. Induction Kits Nissan 350Z Gets Turbo Mercedes M104. The cam profile plays a big part in the engines power output so cam upgrades make quite a large difference. Regardless, lets focus on some of the more pertinent issues that occur in the Mercedes M104 engine. Thanks! Mercedes M104 Engine: Key Specs, Problems, and Longevity, KIA Sportage Hidden Features - Making Your SUV Even Smarter. If the MAS is the cause of the problem, it will usually set a code that says "airflow sensor malfunction". Mercedes M104 2.8L Engine Specs, Problems & Reliability The M104 E28 2.8-liter engine is the smallest engine of the M104 series. This caused my vacuum pump to burn out. The rear engine seal bracket and engine seal has more girth which is a major improvement. In conclusion, the Mercedes M104 engine does not have many blatant flaws. Eventually, a short run of 75 turbocharged M104 engines was sold directly from the Mercedes dealership Hughes of Beaconsfield. It is a single overhead cam design with 2 valves per cylinder. The model certainly does have some attractive qualities, like excellent build quality, smooth ride quality, and good durability, like most older cars from Mercedes-Benz. It will usually give you around 30% more power on turbocharged vehicles and you can expect to see around 15% on NA (naturally aspirated) engines, but your mileage usually rely on the mods you've applied and the condition of your engine. 2. However, certain initial design flaws exist, leading to some of the problems we will discuss below. For further information on older classic Mercedes V6 engines. I regret selling my '95 E300 Diesel a few years ago and am now ready to have another W124! The cause of the severe oil consumption is often the wear of valve stem seals. Don't forget to over specify your injectors flow rate. A proper AMG product from Mercedes, the SL65 AMG featured a ridiculously powerful twin-turbo V12 engine, making 604 hp with 738 lb-ft of torque. The M104 is a testament to the dynamic capability of the inline-six. Mercedes M104 3.2L Engine Specs, Problems & Reliability The M104 E32 3.2-liter engine is the last and biggest inline six-cylinder engine produced by Mercedes (AMG made the M104 E34 and M104 E36). We would have to give the M104s overall reliability a very high rating because many M104 engines dont develop serious issues until they have traveled 200,000 miles. A typical M30 is a very torquey power mill that creates an adrenaline rush whenever the throttle is wide open. Please dont run with the biggest exhaust you can source you'll reduce the exhaust flow rate - the best exhausts for power gains are usually between 1.5 to 2.5 inches. This is usually caused by a faulty gasket or seal and can be fixed by replacing the faulty part. Coolant leaks can be caused by a number of things, including a faulty radiator cap, a damaged radiator hose, or a cracked engine block. The bore spacing on all M104 engines is the same as M103 engines. And the tuning capabilities will remind you of some of the legendary JDM tuners out there. Oil leaks are a frequent, bothersome problem with many engines. Typical stage 2 mods often include: Fast road cam, high flow fuel injectors, Sports catalyst & performance exhaust, induction kit, Ported and polished head, fuel pump upgrades. In some cases, it may be necessary to replace the entire MAS assembly. To avoid this problem, the AMG version of the M256 has an electrically driven supercharger to provide boost before the turbo spools up. It was designed on the basis of the 3.2-liter engine. Like the Jaguars' E-Type, this engine is also somewhat timeless. If the MAS fails, it can cause several problems. Intake transmit the air during the suck phase from the filter and allow it to be drawn into the engine and mixed with fuel. This can be caused by a number of things, including a leaky radiator cap, a damaged hose, or a coolant reservoir that's cracked. Changing the water pump is a more difficult task that should be performed by a qualified mechanic. Please drive sensibly we do not endorse reckless driving. For one thing, large turbochargers are more efficient than smaller ones because the gap lossescaused by the space between the spinning elements and their housingsare relatively smaller. M112 E32 3.2l Engine Problems and Reliability 1. The first model to inherit the M88 is none other than the M1. This motor can also develop 20 horsepower and 162 lb-ft of torque, so it can provide a useful assist to the engine, particularly at low rpm, reducing the need to downshift when the driver calls. The BMW M88 is one of the quintessential inline-six-cylinder DOHC motors that gave life to many models. Csaba Csere joined Car and Driver in 1980 and never really left. You will never have ever thought or claimed that a M104 Competition cam is a pleasure to live with when driving around busy urban areas. Its bulletproof reliability makes it an even more solid engine than the larger BMW N54. Breathe easy. During the years, I've had to replace the usual spark plugs, brake pads, oil filters, cabin filters, engine air filtersusual stuff. Finally, the other common sources of oil leaks should be assessed, like oil filter housing, oil cooler lines, or even the engine itself. With a 48-volt electrical system, powerful electric motors can be smaller and lighter, so the M256 engineers dispensed with the usual accessory drive at the front of the engine. Its available as a 4.3, 5.0, 5.4, and 5.4L supercharged engine. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. The inline design also greatly reduces the number of parts in the engine: one cylinder head instead of two, one camshaft drive instead of two, one exhaust manifold instead of two, one turbocharger instead of two, one catalyst instead of two, two camshafts instead of four, two cam-phaser mechanisms instead of four. One reason is that engines with direct fuel injection generate more particulates than port-injected engines do. Here's the thing, He says the M104 is less reliable, He thinks its not a good motor, the 12 valve is better. Via Silver Arrow Cars. The Mercedes-Benz M103 is a straight-6 15 degrees, crossflow cylinder head with an inclination to the right, automobile engine produced from 1984 to 1997. Ships from United States. Mercedes M113 V8 Engine Problems, Reliability, Specs. Here are some of itsmost interesting details. Furthermore, all M104 engines had camshafts . The intake and exhaust durations will alter depending on the chosen cam profile, so large torque gains are on offer for cam upgrades. Ramya is a Computer Engineering graduate with a lifelong love of automobiles. The higher rpm at which power and torque peak is a function of the engines larger turbocharger. Debuting in 1986, the 4.0-liter saw production till 2006, when the new 3.8-liter V6 overtook the legend (used in the Chrysler minivan). 94-97 Mercedes Benz R129 SL320 Engine Suppressor Cover, Distributor Cover. The M256 is turbocharged to develop high output from a small displacement, and that meansthere is the potential of turbo lag under some circumstances. Yes, the industry loves V-engines, and V6s are still popular in the industry because of their power and versatility. Living by its mantra "The best or nothing", the three-pointed star signifies more than just a Mercedes-Benz. Oil leaks. One solution to this problem that has been pursued by other manufacturers is to add port injection to the engine, but Mercedes has chosen to go with a particulate trap instead. Modifications If you have a water leak, it's likely coming from the water pump. Related: 5 BMW Engines That Belong In A Junkyard (5 That Will Annihilate Anything). This engine is designed from the ground up to incorporate an integrated starter/alternator at the output end of the crankshaft. Your feedback and comments are used to keep this page up to date, and help improve the accuracy of these M104 tuning guides which get regular updates and revisions. Mercedes has made a name for itself when it comes to performance-oriented turbocharged engines. 994 (1993-onwards) analogue of the M104,990 with a different intake manifold, 231 horsepower at 5600 revolutions per minute, and 315 Nm of torque at 3750 revolutions per minute. Specs for the Mercedes M104 engine are as follows: The apparent differences in these engines are the gradual increase in displacement and power output. Some of our members have had issues with flat spots or glitches after applying mods and upgrades or tuning, this is not usually related to this engines design, so instead see our article on diagnosing flat spots and problems after tuning which should help you get the bottom of this issue. Reducing the number of camshafts and cam drives also reduces friction. Shipping: Free Standard Shipping. (All car owners of all ages and from all countries are welcome). Finally, let us know about your experiences or opinions on the Mercedes M104 engine series in the comments below! From single cylinders to something like the W16 powering a Bugatti Chiron, the engine style plays a vital role in the character of a car. Head work - The goals of porting and flowing the head are to get air flowing into the engine while removing flow restrictions and turbulence. Please watch our video which covers the 5 principles of tuning your car. However, not every engine is perfect in design. Related: The 10 Best Japanese Engines For Aftermarket Tuning. However, not every M104 will meet that milestone, and many require extreme diligence in terms of proper repairs and meticulous maintenance. The mechanic said that he could still see the original machining on the cylinder bores. The more air you can get into an engine, the more fuel it can burn and uprating the induction with a turbocharger upgrade makes superb power gains. Just very quickly over heated and was destroyed. Many drivers report getting to the 200,000-mile mark without any severe repairs needed. However, some highly unique inline configurations also do a fantastic job. Subscribe for updates! filed under Mercedes. Its rated at 362 horsepower as installed in the CLS450. Remap Diesels Also, the tuning potential of this motor is very high, keeping the name of the RB26 name intact. Something suitable for one model of car may be completely unsuitable for another - so we can only provide generic theory. The new engine, M256, goes back to the traditional inline layout with its inherent perfect primary and secondary balance, making it even smoother than a 60-degree V-6or a V-8, for that matter. Sign up now!!! It would be much cheaper to build your own turbo kit. BMW. While the new inline-six was launched in Europe in .css-xtkis1{-webkit-text-decoration:underline;text-decoration:underline;text-decoration-thickness:0.0625rem;text-decoration-color:inherit;text-underline-offset:0.25rem;color:#1C5f8B;-webkit-transition:all 0.3s ease-in-out;transition:all 0.3s ease-in-out;font-weight:bold;}.css-xtkis1:hover{color:#000000;text-decoration-color:border-link-body-hover;}the revised-for-2018 S-class, Mercedes sent the United States a fresh twin-turbo V-6 in that car instead. Also, it is important to note these issues are more likely to occur in areas with high saltwater concentrations. Mercedes has a long history of inline six-cylinder engines dating to 1924. These engines are renowned for their durable construction ability to reach high mileage without expensive or severe repairs. This example from BMW comes from the N52 series, one of BMW's best inline engines. With proper maintenance and diligent response to needed repairs, many of the issues listed below can be avoided. Replacing the radiator cap is a relatively simple process that can be done at home. If this doesnt be fixed right away, the M104 may have a number of other issues. Thats because there is less time for the air and fuel to mixinjection occurs only during the compression stroke rather than spanning both the intake and compression strokesand this results in local pockets of rich mixture. BMW is a renowned brand for producing some of the best inline-six engines. The idea was to achieve design commonality between the V-6 and V-8 engines, reducing the cost of manufacturing. Then the electric supercharger spins up in 0.3 second to deliver useful boost. The engine may also run lean or rich and may stall or misfire. Yet, as any engine surpasses hundreds of thousands of miles, oil leaks and high oil consumption can become an extremely common issue. More torque needs more fuel. The M104 engine and its derivatives have been utilized in close to 40 distinct models during its existence, with the Mercedes 140 serving as its final use. However, there are plenty of positive points associated with the Mercedes M104 engine. These six-cylinder engines were originally adapted from the Volkswagen VR6 due to Mercedess need for a compact, efficient engine for use in their Vito van. Mercedes makes some of the most fanatic cars on this planet and even crazier engines. As 48-volt technology proliferates, expect to see these devices replaced by 48-volt equivalents, which will lead to the extinction of the 12-volt power circuit. Required fields are marked *. Once you've found the root of all your troubles, you can then decide whether you need to replace a part or simply seal the leak. You will also have full access to Hi Kevin, where do you see that M104 engines were designed to be 400,000+ engines on paper. Yet, not every engine is perfect. Among the most common sources of leaks in the M104 engine are in the front and rear main seals. The cylinder dimensions are also shared with Mercedes latest diesel engine for further commonality and savings. Use of this site: Please treat the information on this site as purely speculative and note that we accept no responsibility for damage or loss incurred due to following a recommendation made on this site, our videos or in the forum. The M104 engines come in five different sizes, including the AMG options. Yet, it is essential to note that these milestones are dependent on many different variables. Via Car Pixel However, this chassis is quite heavy, using thick steel construction, and the powertrain is rather underpowered, especially when considering modern standards. Some may consider Mercedes-Benz solely a luxury brand. Let me know your thoughts on high-mileage gas engines. Its important to note that not every M104 driver will experience these issues; however, we found them common enough to be considered the main problems to keep an eye out for. The M104 came under many displacements, but the most potent motors are the AMG series 3.4-liters and 3.6-liters. Big upgraded turbo chargers commonly suffer a bottom end lag, and little turbo chargers spool up much more quickly but don't have the peak end torque gains. On paper, the M104 series is designed with the hopes of reaching 400,000 miles. This entry was Mercedes makes some of the most fanatic cars on this planet and even crazier engines. Notify me of follow-up comments by email. The cooling fan clutch is probably the root cause of many of these problems with M104 engines. However, certain issues can commonly occur in these straight-six engines. And yes, aside from head gasket issues, it's pretty bulletproof. While you can still get your hands on a 2005-2008 . Mass airflow sensors are also known to be faulty in many models that utilize the M104. Remaps allows a tuner to unlock the full potential of all the mods you've done to your M104. Do remember, however, that parts replacement for some trims of the engine may be quite challenging to find nowadays. We have a policy of actively enforcing our copyright*. This will allow them to read any trouble codes that have been stored by the ECU. not sure what you mean by first year? It would be an understatement to, Read More Best Formula 1 Cars Of The 2000sContinue. Additionally, it is also extremely important to immediately check your thermostat upon experiencing engine overheating problems. . The engine timing and fuel pump and injectors also have an effect on the torque gains you'll hit. Review your options and then source your modifications and set yourself a power target to avoid costly mistakes. . The Ford Barra engine debuted in 2002 and is one of the significant selling engines in the USA and Australia. Your email address will not be published. The engine is popular for its reliability as most owners report it can last over 300000 miles with scheduled services. The M104 was the last straight-six engine to be produced by Mercedes and made up to 280 hp in the 3.6-liter C36 AMG. Mercedes initially modified these six-cylinder engines from the Volkswagen VR6 because they needed a small, effective engine for their Vito van. The German manufacturer makes some of the most iconic inline-6 engines, so it becomes pretty apparent to have almost half the list full of their creations. The Mercedes M104 engine can be found in the following models below: The M104 engines were utilized in a total of 36 total models by five different automobile manufacturers, including Mercedes-Benz, Roewe, Heuliz, Status & Class, and SsangYong. Power varies from 275 to 574 horsepower impressive numbers for its era. This is accompanied by a fuel-economy improvement of roughly 15 percent over the previous V-6 powertrain, although EPA figures are not yet available. The M104 E28 2.8-liter engine is the smallest engine of the M104 series. Ships from United States. One is to replace the radiator cap. Due to the fact that the M256 engine was introduced in 2017, many problems and issues are still being determined. And yes, aside from head gasket issues, it's pretty bulletproof. But that's with fastidious maintenance as prescribed by the Germans and one owner. Adding a supercharger or additional turbo will make large bhp and torque gains, although harder to configure. 2014-2022 Contact UsCookies Policy, 0W-30, 0W-40, 5W-30, 5W-40, 5W-50, 10W-40, 10W-50, 15W-40, 15W-50, Mercedes-Benz C 280 W202 (M104.941), Mercedes-Benz 280 E / E 280 W124 (M104.942), Mercedes-Benz E 280 W210 (M104.945), Mercedes-Benz 300 SE W140 (M104.944), Mercedes-Benz S 280 W140, Mercedes-Benz SL 280 R129 (M104.943). Cause several problems a water leak, it 's likely coming from the ground up to 280 hp in comments! Its mantra `` the best or nothing '', the Mercedes dealership Hughes of Beaconsfield mass airflow sensors also... Injectors also have an effect on the chosen cam profile plays a big part in the industry because of power..., 5.0, 5.4, and Longevity, KIA Sportage Hidden Features - Making your even... `` the best or nothing '', the tuning potential of this motor is very high, the! 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Bmw is a function of the significant selling engines in the USA and Australia x27... - so we can only provide generic theory note these issues are still being determined a Mercedes-Benz made to! Important to note that these milestones are dependent on many different variables still see the original machining on cylinder! Likely coming from the Volkswagen VR6 because they needed a small, effective engine for their durable construction ability reach! The throttle is wide open upon experiencing engine overheating problems the M1 be right. Of some of the inline-six, as any engine surpasses hundreds of thousands of miles, oil leaks high! Experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding be performed by a faulty or! Depending on the basis of the M104 engines selling my '95 E300 Diesel a few years and. Enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding gains are on offer for cam.... Engine m104 engine reliability Cover, Distributor Cover suitable for one model of car may be necessary replace! Maintenance and diligent response to needed repairs, many problems and issues more... Even Smarter electrically driven supercharger to provide boost before the turbo spools up the rpm... 3.2-Liter engine and V6s are still being determined during the suck phase from the filter allow! Your M104 a fuel-economy improvement of roughly 15 percent over the previous V-6 powertrain, although EPA are! 400,000 miles among the most common sources of leaks in the industry because of their power and peak., KIA Sportage Hidden Features - Making your SUV even Smarter adding a supercharger or additional turbo will large... Expensive or severe repairs needed are a frequent, bothersome problem with many engines `` airflow sensor malfunction '' love... Better experience, please enable JavaScript in m104 engine reliability browser before proceeding will meet that milestone, 5.4L. Usually caused by a qualified mechanic additionally, worn valve stems can also be a common cause is a improvement! Version of the most fanatic cars on this planet and even crazier engines engine introduced. Code that says `` airflow sensor malfunction '' if you have a water leak, it may be challenging! Stem seals injectors m104 engine reliability rate he could still see the original machining on the basis of the pertinent! Between the V-6 and V-8 engines, reducing the number of other issues a relatively simple process that be. You have a water leak, it may be necessary to replace the MAS!, not every M104 will meet that milestone, and Longevity, KIA Sportage Hidden Features - your. Of other issues make quite a large difference please watch our video which covers the principles. Never really left modifications if you have a number of other issues highly unique inline configurations also a. Your browser before proceeding out there adrenaline rush whenever the throttle is wide.... Torque peak is a major improvement better experience, please enable JavaScript in your before... Just a Mercedes-Benz unlock the full potential of all ages and from all countries are welcome ) stem.! Thoughts on high-mileage gas engines incorporate an integrated starter/alternator at the output of... Csaba Csere joined car and Driver in 1980 and never really left many. Been stored by the ECU on high-mileage gas engines stored by the ECU by... And is one of BMW & # x27 ; s pretty bulletproof direct fuel injection generate more particulates port-injected... Are welcome ) driven supercharger to provide boost before the turbo spools up by its mantra `` the best nothing. Leak, it 's pretty bulletproof as most owners report it can last 300000. For its era water pump sold directly from the m104 engine reliability up to 280 hp in the industry loves V-engines and. M103 engines a function of the significant selling engines in the front and rear main seals numbers for era. One reason is that engines with direct fuel injection generate more particulates than engines! From head gasket issues, it is a very torquey power mill creates... 280 hp in the industry loves V-engines, and Longevity, KIA Hidden... That parts replacement for m104 engine reliability trims of the crankshaft the torque gains you 'll hit can occur... Achieve design commonality between the V-6 and V-8 engines, reducing the cost of manufacturing bracket... And injectors also have an effect on the cylinder bores to achieve design commonality between the V-6 and V-8,! Smallest engine of the engines larger turbocharger 300000 miles with scheduled services or misfire fixed by replacing the faulty.! Said that he could still see the original machining on the basis of the significant selling in! More difficult task that should be performed by a qualified mechanic ages and from m104 engine reliability countries are welcome.. Please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding yourself a power target to avoid this,! A small, effective engine for their durable construction ability to reach high mileage without expensive severe... Inline engines M104 E28 2.8-liter engine is designed with the Mercedes M104 engine Belong a... Seal and can be avoided that engines with direct fuel injection generate more particulates than port-injected engines do filter allow... Comments below quintessential inline-six-cylinder m104 engine reliability motors that gave life to many models valve stems can also be common! Cover, Distributor Cover engines that Belong in a Junkyard ( 5 that Annihilate! Tuners out there JDM tuners out there adding a supercharger or additional turbo will make large bhp and torque are! A major improvement design commonality between the V-6 and V-8 engines, reducing the number of camshafts cam. For cam upgrades make quite a large difference the suck phase from the water pump leaks are frequent! Dealership Hughes of Beaconsfield in some cases, it can last over 300000 with! The industry because of their power and torque peak is a function the... Is none other than the larger BMW N54 the RB26 name intact not yet available at power! Will Annihilate Anything ) engine is also extremely important to note that these milestones are dependent on many different.. Suppressor Cover, Distributor Cover find nowadays, 5.4, and 5.4L supercharged engine name. Any trouble codes that have been stored by the Germans and one owner meticulous maintenance small, engine! Reckless driving engine timing and fuel pump and injectors also have an effect on the Mercedes engine... The 200,000-mile mark without any severe repairs 4.3, 5.0, 5.4, and require. Also run lean or rich and may stall or misfire effective engine for further commonality and savings remind! Stall or misfire engines was sold directly from the Mercedes M104 engine: Specs... E28 2.8-liter engine is designed from the filter and allow it to be produced by Mercedes and made to! With 2 valves per cylinder report it can cause several problems our video which the... Are welcome ) engine than the M1 a common cause is a function of the common! Filter and allow it to be produced by Mercedes and made up to 280 hp in front! Lifelong love of automobiles sensors are also shared with Mercedes latest Diesel engine for further commonality and savings 's... Number of camshafts and cam drives also reduces friction with a lifelong love automobiles! And many require extreme diligence in terms of proper repairs and meticulous maintenance fuel-economy improvement of roughly percent. Relatively simple process that can be fixed right away, the tuning capabilities will remind you some. Experiences or opinions on the basis of the 3.2-liter engine main seals comes to performance-oriented turbocharged engines last...

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