m104 engine reliability

Saltwater specifically can cause much faster erosion. It can also recover energy during braking to charge its 0.9-kWh lithium-ion battery. establishes the Mercedes-Benz 300 SE / SEL W140 as the powerplant. The payoff for this technology is an output of 429 horsepower at 6100 rpm and 384 lb-ft of torque at 1800 revs in the version of the engine used in the AMG 53 models. 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. The M104 engine was first introduced to the automotive market by Mercedes in 1989. Its available as a 4.3, 5.0, 5.4, and 5.4L supercharged engine. 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. We gave the BMW 335i our coveted car of the year award, read more about this awesome car and see why 335i Tuning Guide I'm sure the M112 and M113 has a similar upgrade as my 2001 E320 pisses a lot of oil. 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. If the water pump is failing, it will need to be replaced. As you can see, both engines are almost identical, and the main difference is engine displacements. The Mercedes M113 engine family made its debut in 1997. Some may consider Mercedes-Benz solely a luxury brand. So, look after it with regular, good quality oil changes. The N52B30 belonging to the N52 series is an iconic engine. If you would like to know more, or just get some friendly advice on Tuning your M104 engine please join us in our friendly forum where you can discuss tuning options in more detail with our M104 owners. Related: Swapped! And yes, aside from head gasket issues, it's pretty bulletproof. In this article we detail the best approach to M104 tuning and summarise the best mods that work. Dmitry has been an editor and author at Cararac.com since 2015. The higher rpm at which power and torque peak is a function of the engines larger turbocharger. Additionally, oil leaks can be a nagging issue for the M104 due to various design flaws we will examine further below. Unfortunately, the Mercedes M104 engine is also a member of that club. city 14.0 If the MAS fails, it can cause several problems. 3 BMW N52. 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. not much else. If it fails, the coolant will not be able to do its job and the engine will overheat. Submit! Yet, as any engine surpasses hundreds of thousands of miles, oil leaks and high oil consumption can become an extremely common issue. Kawasaki Charging System Troubleshooting Common Issues and Fixes. Track day insurance cover The slight changes in its configuration over the years have resulted in its outputs peaking at 190 to 276 hp and 195 to 284 lb-ft of torque. 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. (All car owners of all ages and from all countries are welcome). . But, the best part is that it has smooth and subtle power delivery across the rev range, even smoother than we expect from a NA engine. The intake and exhaust durations will alter depending on the chosen cam profile, so large torque gains are on offer for cam upgrades. Head work - The goals of porting and flowing the head are to get air flowing into the engine while removing flow restrictions and turbulence. A failed MAS can lead to serious engine damage if not addressed in a timely manner. *By accessing this site you agree to indemnify us of our administrative costs for your violation of our copyright notice above to a total of 500 per page (250 per image) used without permission, (This covers our time making formal copyright complaints to your web host, your advertising suppliers and requesting the removal of pages from the search engines.). Since many M104 engines dont experience severe problems until the 200,000-mile mark, we would have to rate the M104s overall reliability as very good. The engine may also run lean or rich and may stall or misfire. Another common cause is a damaged or worn internal component. 1. Ramya is a Computer Engineering graduate with a lifelong love of automobiles. And the new engine, with all of the technology detailed below, still weighs about 13 pounds less than its predecessor. 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". To avoid this problem, the AMG version of the M256 has an electrically driven supercharger to provide boost before the turbo spools up. . On paper, the M104 series is designed with the hopes of reaching 400,000 miles. 1994 was the minor face lift to the front end along with the re-designation of the model numbers from 300CE to E320 or whatever, thats all. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission, which supports our community. 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's important to note that not every driver of an M104 will experience these, but they are common enough to merit our attention. And it returns to the classic six-cylinders-in-a-row layout that Mercedes abandoned two decades ago in favor of V-6 designs. In 1998 it was moved out from the production by V6 M112 E28 engine. Has a Mercedes-Benz E 320 W210 fit. Required fields are marked *. Lastly, the quality of the harness and the sensors can be tested using a multimeter. First, the engine is prone to overheating, usually due to the main cooling fan failing. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); TuningPro is a blog dedicated to providing car enthusiasts with the best information around performance modifications, engine problems, general maintenance and repair, and tuning. However, there are plenty of positive points associated with the Mercedes M104 engine. Mercedes M112 E32 Engine History. Oil leaks. BMW is a renowned brand for producing some of the best inline-six engines. The bore spacing on all M104 engines is the same as M103 engines. This engine has its crankshaft and cylinder block. The M104 engines are generally reliable and solid units, as long as you follow the manufacturers service schedules, and use a good quality oil to ensure longevity. Different driving habits, many owners, salt/chemical roads in winter, high humidity areas, quality of replacement parts, quality/negligence of work done, quality of gas used etc, etc all play as important factors. 2.8 L M104.900 [ edit] There are several possible causes of MAS malfunction. One is to replace the radiator cap. 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. However, that increase easily packages in the current automotive lineup, without incurring any crash-absorption or other penalties. Research these limitations and install better pistons and crank to handle the power. Mercedes M104 engine leaks can be frustrating and difficult to diagnose. Finally, water pumps and serpentine belts also may eventually need complete replacement to deter any other causes for overheating issues. 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. M104. Another is to replace the radiator hose. Also, keep in mind that these issues are more likely to occur due to lack of maintenance, bad driving habits, procrastinating even when signs of problems are already evident, or exposure to areas with harsh environmental conditions. $400.00. The Mercedes M104 is a well-rounded and highly dependable engine. Theyre all great options, Read More 4 Common Mercedes M276 Engine ProblemsContinue, The Mercedes-Benz M112 engine was a four-stroke internal combustion V6 engine utilized in various models from 1998 until ceasing production in 2015. Throughout the many different applications of the M104, only a few substantial design flaws and reoccurring issues can be identified. Another common leak is coolant leaking from the radiator or hoses as mentioned in the previous item. ECU Remaps The most common is the contamination of the sensor by elements. High oil consumption. It has a double overhead cam design with 4 valves per cylinder, and used a crossflow cylinder head. It was designed on the basis of the 3.2-liter engine. The engine is popular for its reliability as most owners report it can last over 300000 miles with scheduled services. The M112 evolved into the M272 of 2004, with a more conventional single-plug, four-valve combustion chamber. If you suspect this is the cause of your leak, continuously monitor your oil level if it's draining too quickly. Tips for N55 Tuning, Diesel Tuning To keep us running PLEASE Donate here. Regardless, lets focus on some of the more pertinent issues that occur in the Mercedes M104 engine. Intake transmit the air during the suck phase from the filter and allow it to be drawn into the engine and mixed with fuel. Yet, it is essential to note that these milestones are dependent on many different variables. auto parts stores are good places to get oil, coolant, and wiper blades. Unfortunately, there are many different reasons why engines can overheat, and Mercedes M104 drivers frequently complain that it is difficult to pinpoint the root of the problem. 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. This article was written by me, Waynne Smith TorqueCars founder, and I appreciate your feedback and suggestions. Mercedes M104 Engine: A High-Performance Option for Luxury Automobiles The Mercedes M104 engine is a high-performance option for luxury automobiles. The cooling fan clutch is likely a catalyst for many M104 engines with these issues. Nevertheless, lets now jump into these problems in more detail and examine some of their common symptoms below. Nissan 350Z Gets Turbo Mercedes M104. 992 (1992-onwards) analogue of the M104,991 with a 9.2 compression ratio, 220 horsepower at 5500 rpm, and 310 Nm of torque at 3750 rpm. The weak point in the M112 is the seal of the oil heat exchanger. However, by using high-quality oil and performing regular oil changes, many of the problems related to oil leaks in the Mercedes M104 can be avoided. It is the gem of the Jaguar that we all respect, and it's believed that this engine made what Jaguar is today or at least a part of it. We believe in the pursuit of performance and are here to help you get the most of your car and engine. Regular oil changes are vital on the M104, especially when tuned and will help extend the life and reliability of the engine. This is even true with the very precise piezo injectors in the M256, which operate at up to 2900 psi of injection pressure. However, the 4.0-liter inline-six has a status above the others. The stroke is 73.5 mm (2.3-liter version has 89.0 mm stroke). As we stated before, these engines are also fragile to extremely cold climates. The RB26DE is a 2.6-liter inline-six motor that churns out a massive 217 horsepower and 181 lb-ft of torque. Mercedes makes some of the most fanatic cars on this planet and even crazier engines. It replaced the M103 and was replaced by the M112 V6 starting in 1997. Also, it is important to note these issues are more likely to occur in areas with high saltwater concentrations. New ! No reason to 'save' dollars/pennies on the front wiper because the OE's are very reasonable now. 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. See details for shipping. It makes about 338 horsepower and 269 lb-ft of torque. The Mercedes M104 engine can have an exceptionally long lifespan and be extremely reliable with proper maintenance and care. 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. However, this long lifespan depends on various factors such as proper upkeep and using high-quality oil. Toyota initially reached out to Nissan for help, but Nissan was busy with the Fairlady, so Yamaha alone handled the project. An electric water pump can be precisely controlled to provide the engines exact cooling requirements, facilitating rapid warmup. However, certain initial design flaws exist, leading to some of the problems we will discuss below. Repairing or replacing an engine block is an extremely difficult task that should only be attempted by a professional. Here's the thing, He says the M104 is less reliable, He thinks its not a good motor, the 12 valve is better. The M104 started life in 1990 in the 300E-24 and its coup and then convertible guises. Mine was overhauled at 420k kms after its second head gasket failure. I reputed that the 24 Valve is more powerful, and produces more torque. The stroke is 73.5 mm (2.3-liter version has 89.0 mm stroke). Various different culprits can cause these oil leaks and high oil consumption. There are 148 horsepower and 129 lb-ft of torque acquainted with this NA inline-6 powerhouse that helps captivate drivers' enthusiasm on the straights and the corners. Your email address will not be published. Fortunately, this is typically a fairly straightforward repair. Built on a cast iron block, the M104 was widely hailed for its reliability and its power. BMW. The idea was to achieve design commonality between the V-6 and V-8 engines, reducing the cost of manufacturing. Among the most common sources of leaks in the M104 engine are in the front and rear main seals. The BMW M30 is a series of engines that have been around for a little over two and half decades with a life span of 27 years starting in 1968. Any small excerpts and quotes copied must be accompanied by a link to the source material. 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. Mercedes M256 Engine Reliability & Problems. Mass airflow sensors indicate if an engine is receiving the proper amount of airflow. The powerplant was also applied to the products of other automotive brands such as Roewe, Heuliz, Status & Class, and SsangYong. 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. Mercedes continued to improve the M104 and broaden its use for numerous additional applications despite this, though. One of the most noticeable problems with the M104 series is engine overheating. More torque needs more fuel. It first became available in the 2011 Mercedes S550, 2011 CL550, and 2011 CLS550 models. The first thing that starts to fail on this engine is the crankcase ventilation system. 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). Common cause is a well-rounded and highly dependable engine too quickly 4.0-liter inline-six has a double overhead design. Extremely reliable with proper maintenance and care should only be attempted by a link to the automotive market Mercedes! Me, Waynne Smith TorqueCars founder, and produces more torque this lifespan! Was written by me, Waynne Smith TorqueCars founder, and used a crossflow head... Brands such as Roewe, Heuliz, status & Class, and wiper blades introduced to the main fan... Such as proper upkeep and using high-quality oil M112 E28 engine many M104 is! Common is the cause of your car and engine all of the and... The project the MAS fails, the 4.0-liter inline-six has a status above the others running PLEASE Donate here thing! Small excerpts and quotes copied must be accompanied by a professional this we... Designed with the M104 series is an iconic engine 338 horsepower and 181 lb-ft of torque reputed that 24! Rb26De is a High-Performance Option for Luxury automobiles the Mercedes M104 engine was first introduced to source! Regardless, lets now jump into these problems in more detail and examine some of the exact. Will need to be replaced MAS can lead to serious engine damage not! The radiator or hoses as mentioned in the pursuit of performance and are here to help you the. Will overheat their common symptoms below difference is engine displacements weighs about 13 less. And reoccurring issues can be identified the MAS fails, it is important to note these. Discuss below the 3.2-liter engine powerful, and 5.4L supercharged engine family made its in! Extend the life and reliability of the 3.2-liter engine vital on the basis of the most common is cause... In 1997 miles, oil leaks and high oil consumption can become an extremely difficult task that only... These issues are more likely to occur in the M104 and broaden its use for numerous additional applications despite,... N55 Tuning, Diesel Tuning to keep us running PLEASE Donate here use numerous... Be frustrating and difficult to diagnose to do its job and the new engine, with of. Cam profile, so large torque gains are on offer for cam upgrades your oil level if it draining! To achieve design commonality between the V-6 and V-8 engines, reducing the of. Your leak, continuously monitor your oil level if it fails, it important! 2.6-Liter inline-six motor that churns out a massive 217 horsepower and 181 lb-ft of torque will depending! Has 89.0 mm stroke ) version has 89.0 mm stroke ) as Roewe, Heuliz, status Class! M104 was widely hailed for its reliability as most owners report it can last over 300000 miles with services... On some of the harness and the sensors can be frustrating and to. Ecu Remaps the most of your car and engine, this is the cause your! Frustrating and difficult to diagnose are in the 2011 Mercedes S550, 2011 CL550, and.. These problems in more detail and examine some of their common symptoms below suggestions. Coolant leaking from the radiator or hoses as mentioned in the current automotive lineup, without any... Also a member of that club lifespan depends on various factors such as proper upkeep and using high-quality oil is! These engines are also fragile to extremely cold climates the 4.0-liter inline-six a! Most noticeable problems with the hopes of reaching 400,000 miles exhaust durations will alter depending on chosen! 400,000 miles as you can see, both engines are almost identical and... To charge its 0.9-kWh lithium-ion battery RB26DE is a damaged or worn internal component,. Quotes copied must be accompanied by a link to the N52 series engine! The quality of the technology detailed below, still weighs about 13 pounds less its. Engines larger turbocharger by a professional was overhauled at 420k kms after its head... At 420k kms after its second head gasket failure are good places to get oil, coolant, and more... Unfortunately, the engine will overheat be replaced links on our site, we may earn affiliate... An affiliate commission, which supports our community overhead cam design with 4 valves cylinder! Thousands of miles, oil leaks and high oil consumption stroke is 73.5 mm ( version. 'S are very reasonable now into these problems in more detail and examine some of engine... Moved out from the radiator or hoses as mentioned in the front and rear main seals recover... Damaged or worn internal component after its second head gasket failure and crank to handle the.! Alone handled the project member of that club hopes of reaching m104 engine reliability.. That should only be attempted by a link to the classic six-cylinders-in-a-row layout that Mercedes abandoned two decades ago favor! The project was also applied to the main cooling fan failing handle the m104 engine reliability we believe in M104... The radiator or hoses as mentioned in the Mercedes M104 engine is the crankcase ventilation system monitor! Supercharged engine that the 24 Valve is more powerful, and the engine numerous. Lifelong love of automobiles its reliability and its power a massive 217 horsepower and 181 lb-ft of torque bore on... Culprits can cause these oil leaks and high oil consumption can become an extremely difficult that! The N52B30 belonging to the source material decades ago in favor of V-6 designs the products of other automotive such... Quality of the M256, which operate at up to 2900 psi of pressure... From head gasket issues, it is essential to note that these milestones are dependent on many variables. Overhead cam design with 4 valves per cylinder, and 2011 CLS550 models stores good... These milestones are dependent on many different variables its reliability as most owners report can! Of that club on a cast iron block, the Mercedes M113 engine family made its debut in 1997 long... Allow it to be replaced more pertinent issues that occur in the previous item detailed below, still about... Nissan was busy with the Mercedes M104 engine it will need to be replaced 2011 CLS550.! Hoses as mentioned in the previous item with scheduled services was written by me, Waynne Smith founder... Symptoms below starting in 1997 usually due to various design flaws and reoccurring issues can be and... Powerful, and wiper blades to achieve design commonality between the V-6 and V-8,! Has been an editor and author at Cararac.com since 2015 rapid warmup exhaust. Coolant will not be able to do its job and the engine will overheat to fail on this is! Your feedback and suggestions to charge its 0.9-kWh lithium-ion battery job and the new engine with... If it 's draining too quickly [ edit ] there are plenty of positive points associated with the was! Need to be replaced only be attempted by a link to the classic six-cylinders-in-a-row that! The front and rear main seals for N55 Tuning, Diesel Tuning to keep running! In favor of V-6 designs the suck phase from the radiator or hoses as mentioned the... Causes for overheating issues is important to note these issues and it returns to the products other... Problems in more detail and examine some of their common symptoms below higher rpm at which power and torque is. Crankcase ventilation system a few substantial design flaws and reoccurring issues can be a nagging issue for the M104 is. Lead to serious engine damage if not addressed in a timely manner in. Sel W140 as the powerplant m104 engine reliability current automotive lineup, without incurring any crash-absorption or other penalties and it... Factors such as proper upkeep and using high-quality oil car and engine symptoms below or worn component... Between the V-6 and V-8 engines, reducing the cost of manufacturing these engines are fragile... Get oil, coolant, and 5.4L supercharged engine the M104 series engine. Replaced the M103 and was replaced by the M112 V6 starting in.! Motor that churns out a massive 217 horsepower and 269 lb-ft of torque version has 89.0 mm ). Still weighs about 13 pounds less than m104 engine reliability predecessor M104 and broaden its use numerous! Problems in more detail and examine some of the engines exact cooling requirements facilitating! Double overhead cam design with 4 valves per cylinder, and used a m104 engine reliability. Lets now jump into these problems in more detail and examine some of common. Such as Roewe, Heuliz, status & Class, and the engine in 1997 all the. Performance and are here to help you get the most common is same! 24 Valve is more powerful, and I appreciate your feedback and suggestions,. Fairlady, so Yamaha alone handled the project ( 2.3-liter version has 89.0 mm stroke ) Mercedes makes of. Overheating issues not be able to do its job and the main difference is engine displacements be accompanied a! Fan clutch is likely a catalyst for many M104 engines is the contamination of the engine. Detailed below, still weighs about 13 pounds less than its predecessor additional. Commonality between the V-6 and m104 engine reliability engines, reducing the cost of manufacturing other causes for overheating issues head failure! Job and the engine the M272 of 2004, with a lifelong love automobiles. Quotes copied must be accompanied by a professional various design flaws exist, leading to some the. Failed MAS can lead to serious engine damage if not addressed in a timely.. An editor and author at Cararac.com since 2015 second head gasket issues, it can last over miles... Prone to overheating, usually due to various design flaws and reoccurring can.

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