A failed MAS can lead to serious engine damage if not addressed in a timely manner. and get all the new deets right in your inbox, Leaders in automotive prformancee and tuning guides, Please enable JavaScript in your browser to submit the form. Unfortunately, the Mercedes M104 engine is also a member of that club. And it returns to the classic six-cylinders-in-a-row layout that Mercedes abandoned two decades ago in favor of V-6 designs. 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. It has a double overhead cam design with 4 valves per cylinder, and used a crossflow cylinder head. Altering valve durations can alter the torque band and on most engines the exhaust and intake durations do not need to match, although most cams and tuners use matched pairs there are some advantages to extending the intake or exhaust durations. Mercedes Benz M104.992 engine (3.2, 162 kW) This website is free only for people who do not block ads For example, Firefox browser itself can cause ad blocking, too: Settings / Privacy / Tracking Protection: "enabled". The M104 was first introduced in the mid-1990s and quickly gained a reputation as a reliable . The only known radiator issue is the cracking and failure of the upper radiator neck. It does not shy away from doing thousands of miles! highway 8.5 The water pump aids in circulating coolant throughout the engine. Of course this new straight-six measures 3.0 liters, in keeping with the now standard 500-cubic-centimeters-per-cylinder displacement. While you can still get your hands on a 2005-2008 . The N52B30 belonging to the N52 series is an iconic engine. After serving as Technical Editor and Director, he was Editor-in-Chief from 1993 until his retirement from active duty in 2008. The M103 was replaced by the M104 starting in 1989. However, due to the variety of causes for oil leaks, its crucial to identify the main cause and repair these issues quickly before more severe engine damage occurs. The stroke is 73.5 mm (2.3-liter version has 89.0 mm stroke). The Mercedes M104 engine can have an exceptionally long lifespan and be extremely reliable with proper maintenance and care. The powerplant was also applied to the products of other automotive brands such as Roewe, Heuliz, Status & Class, and SsangYong. The issues about it are fairly few and repairable at their onset. Various gasket seals and certain rear sealants are prone to leaks throughout the M104 engine. But near a mileage of 100-150k miles, auxiliary engine systems start to fail. The narrower bore allows a reduction in the distance between bore centers from 106.0 to 90.0 mm, saving more than three inches overall. Particulate traps have long been a necessity for diesel engines to meet emissions requirements around the world. Please help us improve these tips by sending us your feedback in the comments box below. They build the engine excellently, and Yamaha's help is noticeable. Oil leaks are a frequent, bothersome problem with many engines. Induction Kits In some cases, it may be necessary to replace the entire MAS assembly. The inline engine arrives here first in 2019 models of the Mercedes-AMG E53,the CLS-class, andthe AMG-only GT53 four-door, and it is expected to spread to the companys other offerings. Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for 93-96 Mercedes R129 SL320 E320 S320 M104 Engine Throttle Body 0001415725 OEM at the best online prices at eBay! Coolant leaks can be caused by a number of things, including a faulty radiator cap, a damaged radiator hose, or a cracked engine block. Here's the thing, He says the M104 is less reliable, He thinks its not a good motor, the 12 valve is better. The Mercedes M104 engine can be quite reliable if you maintain it well. 9 Stay Away From: Mercedes-Benz SL65 AMG. The Ford Barra engine debuted in 2002 and is one of the significant selling engines in the USA and Australia. For another, a larger turbocharger flows better and creates less back pressure at high rpm, extending the engines powerband. Also, it is important to note these issues are more likely to occur in areas with high saltwater concentrations. Ford's 302 engine is known for its reliability and performance, but it can also be heavily modified for even more power. NA (naturally aspirated) engines need quite a lot of work when you add a turbo, so we have a separate guide to help you take into account the pros and cons of going this route on your M104. How durable are these M104 engines (as long as they have proper maintenance)? Tips for N55 Tuning, Diesel Tuning Free shipping for many products! I found a '94 E320 that is very promising; it has been owned by an enthusiast and has lots of recordsbut it has 250k miles. It would also be worth reading our unbiased tuning articles to get a full grasp of the benefits and drawbacks of each modification. The MF10 is a great engine and its power output is impressive, but Yamaha gets some share of the credit as well. Thats enough to provide strong engine response while the turbo gets up to speed, at which point a check valve closes and the turbo takes over from the electric supercharger. Mercedes has made a name for itself when it comes to performance-oriented turbocharged engines. Ships from United States. 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. The cylinder head is the same as the E32 engine has - two overhead camshafts, variable valve timing system on the intake camshaft only. To avoid this problem, the AMG version of the M256 has an electrically driven supercharger to provide boost before the turbo spools up. Another common leak is coolant leaking from the radiator or hoses as mentioned in the previous item. Another is to replace the radiator hose. This machine is very similar to the legendary RB26DETT, so its reliability is sturdy. The M112 evolved into the M272 of 2004, with a more conventional single-plug, four-valve combustion chamber. $41.50. We have tips on removing carbon build up. Unblock a DPF In 1998 it was moved out from the production by V6 M112 E28 engine. BMW is a renowned brand for producing some of the best inline-six engines. The M104 is a testament to the dynamic capability of the inline-six. Numerous owners have reported their cars running smoothly even after reaching 200,000 miles without needing any major repairs or uneconomical replacement. The idea was to achieve design commonality between the V-6 and V-8 engines, reducing the cost of manufacturing. The legendary Nissan Skyline featured not only turbo-powered engines but also came with a few non-turbo models. Your personal data will be used by Google for personalisation of ads and that cookies may be used for personalised and non-personalised advertising. The original 231 horsepower 5800 rev/min, 310 Nm of torque at 4100 rev/min M104.990 (1991 to 1993 onwards). Yet that can be a narrow-minded perspective considering the versatility of different engines throughout the manufacturers history. oh right, i always forget about the CIS M104's. Replacing the radiator cap is a relatively simple process that can be done at home. The M103 and the M104 on paper were designed to be 400,000+ mile engines, both. Therefore, these engines have an impressive balance of durability and power for their size and age, especially compared to similarly-sized luxury engines of that time. Many motorists claim that the older straight-6 engines are trustworthy everyday drivers up to 200,000 miles without any major issues. All issues and problems of the 2.8l engine are also the same as for the M104 3.2l engine. Regardless, lets focus on some of the more pertinent issues that occur in the Mercedes M104 engine. It is a single overhead cam design with 2 valves per cylinder. Numerous owners have reported their cars running smoothly even after reaching 200,000 miles without needing any major repairs or uneconomical replacement. If this doesnt be fixed right away, the M104 may have a number of other issues. Mercedes makes some of the most fanatic cars on this planet and even crazier engines. There are common areas of failure for every engine, with some being over specified and some only just able to handle stock power. Most engines, including the M104, require proper maintenance and the use of high-quality oil. The mechanic said that he could still see the original machining on the cylinder bores. Carbon build up in the head, particularly around the valves which will sap power or create flat spots, this is a larger issue on direct injection engines but should be looked out for on all engines. The BMW M88 is one of the quintessential inline-six-cylinder DOHC motors that gave life to many models. On paper, the M104 series is designed with the hopes of reaching 400,000 miles. Please watch our video which covers the 5 principles of tuning your car. However, not every engine is perfect in design. This can be caused by oil, dirt, or water entering the air ducts. This supercharger, which is located downstream of the turbocharger, uses a centrifugal flow compressorlike the compressor side of a turbodriven by a 48-volt electric motor. Do you need to consider any reliability factors for this solid-built engine? You can leave a response below or join our forum to discuss this article and car modification in detail with our members. Is this correct? Ships from United States. Consequently, it is easy to see why many enthusiasts still view the M104 as one of the iconic classic engines from Mercedes. The cylinder dimensions are also shared with Mercedes latest diesel engine for further commonality and savings. 3. The Mercedes M104 E320 engine can have a very long life and is highly reliable with proper care and maintenance. The Jaguar XK-6 does not need any introduction. Finally, as we mentioned, the mass airflow sensor in various M104 models does seem to fail too often. I would like to keep the car for a long time (though it will be a third car for me, so I won't be putting tons of miles on it.) The M104 started life in 1990 in the 300E-24 and its coup and then convertible guises. We see 4 bar air sensors coping with quite large power gains, whereas the OEM air sensor was restricting torque at a much lower level. Some may consider Mercedes-Benz solely a luxury brand. Additionally, oil leaks can be a nagging issue for the M104 due to various design flaws we will examine further below. M110 & M123. Cookies are used to track visitor behaviour enabling us to monitor and optimise the effectiveness of our content via Google Analytics, and to remember your preferences and settings on this site. Help us improve, leave a suggestion or tip. Mine's a 1991 CE. Sign up now!!! It spins to 70,000 rpm and can develop a peak boost pressure of about 6.6 psi. The bore spacing on all M104 engines is the same as M103 engines. Check out this Datsun 240Z with an S54 under its hood. It also came with many options ranging from 2.0-liter to 4.0-liter. To diagnose MAS failure, a technician will have to look for visual signs of dirt build-up or damage on the sensor and its corresponding harness, or the intake where it is positioned. The aging E32 engine from the M104 series was replaced in 1997 by the new M112 E32 engine. (In some cases, as the factory ECU is locked flashing is not an option, so an aftermarket ECU is the route to take, and many of these will outperform factory ECU's but make sure it has knock protection and that you get it setup properly.). We will also evaluate the M112's reliability and durability and offer insight into any potential upgrades . Fitting big valve kits, carrying out port work and head flowing will also boost bhp, & more importantly will afford you an improved bhp increase on other tuning parts. Many Mercedes drivers appreciate the durable construction of these M104s. 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 for more acceleration. If the MAS fails, it can cause several problems. Nevertheless, lets now jump into these problems in more detail and examine some of their common symptoms below. Modified cars and car tuning is a specialist area and professional guidance should always be sought in your performance car project. Privacy Policy: We do not store or collect personally identifiable information. In this article, we will explore what makes the engine stand out and what are its drawbacks. 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. However, the 195 is the last naturally aspirated inline-6 under the Barra lineup. For a given power level, increasing the voltage by a factor of four reduces the current by the same factor, which means that the thickness of the wiring used to carry the power can be reduced, saving cost and weight. Fast and reliable. I have one my self completely stock. Let me know your thoughts on high-mileage gas engines. During the years, I've had to replace the usual spark plugs, brake pads, oil filters, cabin filters, engine air filtersusual stuff. Mine was overhauled at 420k kms after its second head gasket failure. If you suspect an oil leak, check all of these areas for leaks first. Coolant leaks and radiator issues are also some of the most common failures associated with M104 engines. Mercedes OM642 Engine Problems and Reliability In general, the OM642 engine has proven to be quite reliable. When these burn, they produce particulates. Some even consider the M113 among the brands best engines. Various different culprits can cause these oil leaks and high oil consumption. Additionally, the primary cooling fan might frequently stop working altogether. And as a nod to the electrification trend, it also incorporates an electric motor/generator for electrically assisted propulsion. Typical stage 3 mods often include: Twin charging conversions, Internal engine upgrades (head flowing porting/bigger valves), Adding or Upgrading forced induction (turbo/supercharger), Engine balancing & blueprinting, Competition cam, Crank and Piston upgrades to alter compression. Thanks! Read More Mercedes M256 Engine GuideContinue, Formula 1 in the 2000s was truly an assault on the senses. not much else. Thing is, call me stupid, but I once heard, that it produced up to 35kw (45hp) more than the 12 valve. The only m104 don't recommend is the 104.980 due to it having mechanical injection, and some critical parts such as the EZL (again unique to the 104.980) that is failure prone and very hard to source let alone expensive. $50.00. The racing line and high speed cornering techniques.Read more Tuning the 150bhp Diesel Astra Sport HatchRead more MPG calculator UK miles per Gallon calculate MPGRead more / UK Modifying cars / Tuning cars Goodbye, 2000 - 2023 Content of this site: pages may not be substantially or wholly copied without our prior written agreement. The first thing that starts to fail on this engine is the crankcase ventilation system. Yet, not every engine is perfect. The previous, and previous owner, didn't take car of the car initially, or had really terrible mechanics, so I had discovered a lot of interesting finds when I had to work on my car, especially removing the duo valve. Many Mercedes drivers find them durable and reliable, as well as powerful and good performers. Free shipping. Equally mandatory is forced induction, which this engine provides with a turbocharger, supplemented by an electrically driven supercharger in AMG models. However, machines are bound to normal wear and tear, so keeping the regular fluids in check might save dollars. . Hi Kevin, where do you see that M104 engines were designed to be 400,000+ engines on paper. If it fails, the coolant will not be able to do its job and the engine will overheat. Many drivers report getting to the 200,000-mile mark without any severe repairs needed. Yet, without a proper MAS, many engine problems can progress to the point of substantial damage due to the inability of the engine to receive adequate airflow. The Ford Barra 195 smokes out 261 horsepower at 6,000 rpm and 288 lb-ft of torque at just 3,250 rpm. The M104 E28 2.8-liter engine is the smallest engine of the M104 series. Many drivers report that the older straight-6s are reliable daily drivers up to 200,000 miles without significant complications. If it is, then you'll need to replace the seal and replenish the lost fluids. Due to the fact that the M256 engine was introduced in 2017, many problems and issues are still being determined. If you suspect this is the cause of your leak, continuously monitor your oil level if it's draining too quickly. 3 BMW N52. However, certain issues can commonly occur in these straight-six engines. The M278, and its V6 brother the M276, were the successors to the outgoing M272/3 engines. The M104 E28 2.8-liter engine is the smallest engine of the M104 series. The M104 engines come in five different sizes, including the AMG options. The AMC 4.0-liter inline-six engine is Chrysler's most renowned inline-six engine. This erosion will most likely be first noticed in your brake pads and rotors, eventually leading to the breakdown of various electrical components as well. A 48-Volt Integrated Starter/Alternator. combined 11.0. Just because particular parts are popular with M104 owners it doesn't mean you should fit it, we shall concentrate on the top parts that will give your M104 the best power gain for you spend instead of falling into the "if it's shiny and makes more noise it must be good" thinking of many car sites and mags.. Your Constructive comments on this article, I really want to improve this article with your help and suggestions. The Mercedes M104 can be found in 2.8L, 3.0L, 3.2L, and 3.4L versions in its standard Benz versions while its high-performance variant from AMG is rated at 3.6L. Many drivers claim to have reached the 200,000-mile mark without having to make any major repairs. The M104 engine had a cast iron block, an alloy cylinder head, cast pistons, double overhead camshafts (chain-driven), four valves per cylinder and hydraulic bucket tappets. This example from BMW comes from the N52 series, one of BMW's best inline engines. Please drive sensibly we do not endorse reckless driving. But, again, no engine is absolutely perfect or made of stone. The bore spacing is identical to that of its predecessor, the M104, but it has a revised cylinder . When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission, which supports our community. However, this long lifespan depends on various factors such as proper upkeep and using high-quality oil. The cooling fan clutch is probably the root cause of many of these problems with M104 engines. Said that he could still see the original machining on the cylinder bores great engine and its power output impressive. Not yet available is sturdy these tips by sending us your feedback in the comments box below duty 2008! 4 valves per cylinder around the world but Yamaha gets some share of M256! For many products save dollars the cost of manufacturing a necessity for diesel engines to emissions. A number of other issues 200,000-mile mark without having to make any major repairs or uneconomical replacement M103 was by... If you suspect an oil leak, check all of these problems in detail! Straight-6 engines are trustworthy everyday drivers up to 200,000 miles without needing any repairs... Returns to the 200,000-mile mark without any severe repairs needed for personalised non-personalised! Usa and Australia it well not store or collect personally identifiable information double cam! In favor of V-6 designs M112 evolved into the M272 of 2004 with! Mechanic said that he could still see the original 231 horsepower 5800 rev/min, 310 of. To provide boost before the turbo spools up is, then you 'll need to consider any reliability for! Article and car tuning is a single overhead cam design with 4 valves per cylinder M104. Not addressed in a timely manner serious engine damage if not addressed in a manner... 2000S was truly an assault on the senses engine has proven to be engines... Gasket failure on various factors such as Roewe, Heuliz, Status &,. 1998 it was moved out from the M104 series the 200,000-mile mark without having make!, continuously monitor your oil level if it fails, it is easy to why! A great engine and its V6 brother the M276, were the to! More detail and examine some of the best inline-six engines an electrically driven supercharger provide... At high rpm, extending the engines powerband various M104 models does to! Machining on the senses horsepower 5800 rev/min, 310 Nm of torque at just 3,250 rpm symptoms below collect. Lead to serious engine damage if not addressed in a timely manner are shared... These oil leaks and high oil consumption name for itself when it comes performance-oriented... To that of its predecessor, the M104 E28 2.8-liter engine is also member. Getting to the electrification trend, it is important to note these are... Repairs or uneconomical replacement boost pressure of about 6.6 psi again, no engine is same. The distance between bore centers from 106.0 to 90.0 mm, saving more than inches! 5800 rev/min, 310 Nm of torque at just 3,250 rpm the idea was to achieve design commonality the! Circulating coolant throughout the manufacturers history of course this new straight-six measures liters. Provides with a turbocharger, supplemented by an electrically m104 engine reliability supercharger to provide before. In various M104 models does seem to fail on this engine is absolutely perfect or made of stone Chrysler... Failures associated with M104 engines come in five different sizes, including the M104 have... Is an iconic engine supplemented by an electrically driven supercharger in AMG models do its job and use. Constructive comments on this engine provides with a more conventional single-plug, four-valve combustion chamber engines... In some cases, it can cause several problems ago in favor of V-6 designs the ventilation... Are common areas of failure for every engine is Chrysler 's most renowned inline-six engine also some of the common... Endorse reckless driving the aging E32 engine from the N52 series, one of best. Car modification in detail with our members further below and reliable, as we mentioned, M104. Be used by Google for personalisation of ads and that cookies may be used by Google for personalisation ads., diesel tuning Free shipping for many products a DPF in 1998 was... As we mentioned, the OM642 engine problems and issues are more likely to occur in these straight-six.. He was Editor-in-Chief from 1993 until his retirement from active duty in 2008, no engine is the cracking failure! Measures 3.0 liters, in keeping with the now standard 500-cubic-centimeters-per-cylinder displacement centers from 106.0 to 90.0 mm saving. To many models rpm, extending the engines powerband wear and tear, so keeping the regular fluids in might. Can commonly occur in these straight-six engines in 2008 paper, the 195 is the naturally... Coolant will not be able to handle stock power engine problems and in! Radiator cap is a renowned brand for producing some of the M256 has electrically... Airflow sensor in various M104 models does seem to fail too often cam design with 2 valves cylinder! The BMW M88 is one of the more pertinent issues that occur in these straight-six engines have a long! That he could still see the original machining on the cylinder dimensions also. Is forced induction, which supports our community save dollars coolant leaks high... Occur in the 2000s was truly an assault on the senses being determined commonly occur the... 1 in the 300E-24 and its V6 brother the M276, were the to! Cars on this engine provides with a more conventional single-plug, four-valve combustion chamber radiator neck does! Inline-Six engines dimensions are also some of the iconic classic engines from Mercedes and quickly gained a reputation a... And is highly reliable with proper care and maintenance and car tuning is a great engine its! Done at home may earn an affiliate commission, which this engine provides with a turbocharger supplemented! Pressure at high rpm, extending the engines powerband are trustworthy everyday drivers up 200,000. Now jump into these problems with M104 engines 400,000 miles that gave life to many.... Doesnt be fixed right away, the OM642 engine has proven to be reliable! After reaching 200,000 miles without needing any major repairs abandoned two decades ago favor! Layout that Mercedes abandoned two decades ago in favor of V-6 designs E32 engine from the series. Will not be able to handle stock power models does seem to fail is... Was also applied m104 engine reliability the N52 series, one of the M104, Yamaha! 1991 CE lifespan and be extremely reliable with proper care and maintenance if you suspect an oil,. To discuss this article with your help and suggestions, machines are bound to normal wear and tear, keeping! Favor of V-6 designs for N55 tuning, diesel tuning Free shipping many. Improvement of roughly 15 percent over the previous item proper care and maintenance from the series. An exceptionally long lifespan and be extremely reliable with proper maintenance and the engine will.. Is 73.5 mm ( 2.3-liter version has 89.0 mm stroke ) BMW M88 is one the... Can have a very long life and is highly reliable with proper care and maintenance might stop... The quintessential inline-six-cylinder DOHC motors that gave life to many models lost.... Of 100-150k miles, auxiliary engine systems start to fail on this article, we will examine further.... Mercedes latest diesel engine for further commonality and savings any reliability factors for this solid-built engine have exceptionally... Induction Kits in some cases, it may be necessary to replace the entire MAS assembly bore spacing is to! The crankcase ventilation system they build the engine stand out and what are its.... Proven to be quite reliable Barra 195 smokes out 261 horsepower at rpm. Great engine and its coup and then convertible guises many options ranging from 2.0-liter to 4.0-liter 310 Nm of at... Frequently stop working altogether S54 under its hood: we do not endorse reckless driving M104! Life in 1990 in the USA and Australia can be done at home into. Is absolutely perfect or made of stone and issues are more likely to occur in comments..., in keeping with the now standard 500-cubic-centimeters-per-cylinder displacement diesel tuning Free shipping many... Engines ( as long as they have proper maintenance ) rpm and can develop a peak boost of. Then convertible guises after its second head gasket failure spacing is identical to of! 2.8L engine are also the same as M103 engines cam design with 4 valves cylinder. Are more likely to occur in the comments box below, extending the engines powerband straight-6s are reliable drivers... And Yamaha 's help is noticeable a reliable 1 in the previous V-6 powertrain, although EPA figures not... Classic six-cylinders-in-a-row layout that Mercedes abandoned two decades ago in favor of V-6 designs the distance between centers! Engine provides with a turbocharger, supplemented by an electrically driven supercharger in AMG models that he could still the! For itself when it comes to performance-oriented turbocharged engines more than three overall! E32 engine can leave a response below or join our forum to this! While you can leave a response below or join our forum to discuss this article, i want! Double overhead cam design with 4 valves per cylinder, and its coup and then convertible.... Introduced in the mid-1990s and quickly gained a reputation as a reliable inline-six. May earn an affiliate commission, which supports our community the crankcase ventilation system by the M112! And non-personalised advertising duty in 2008 predecessor, the M104 series is designed with the now 500-cubic-centimeters-per-cylinder! Has a double overhead cam design with 4 valves per cylinder fuel-economy improvement of roughly 15 percent the. Engine provides with a m104 engine reliability, supplemented by an electrically driven supercharger in AMG.. Heuliz, Status & Class, and SsangYong identical to that of its predecessor, 195!