Some even consider the M113 among the brands best engines. For further information on older classic Mercedes V6 engines, check out our previous guide on the M112 V6. This article was written by me, Waynne Smith TorqueCars founder, and I appreciate your feedback and suggestions. The rear engine seal bracket and engine seal has more girth which is a major improvement. Particulate traps have long been a necessity for diesel engines to meet emissions requirements around the world. Fast and reliable. Finally, the other common sources of oil leaks should be assessed, like oil filter housing, oil cooler lines, or even the engine itself. Mercedes M104 Engine: Key Specs, Problems, and Longevity, KIA Sportage Hidden Features - Making Your SUV Even Smarter. And the smaller valve sizes inherent with the smaller bore dont matter so much with a turbocharger force-feeding air into the combustion chambers. We have tips on removing carbon build up. By this point, the commonality with the V-8s was much diminished. And yes, aside from head gasket issues, it's pretty bulletproof. The M104 came under many displacements, but the most potent motors are the AMG series 3.4-liters and 3.6-liters. See details for shipping. $400.00. But, again, no engine is absolutely perfect or made of stone. To avoid this problem, the AMG version of the M256 has an electrically driven supercharger to provide boost before the turbo spools up. However, a primary factor that you have to consider if you're planning on owning one is the scarcity of its replacement parts. The M104 was first introduced in the mid-1990s and quickly gained a reputation as a reliable . 3 BMW N52. Research these limitations and install better pistons and crank to handle the power. 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. With these two quick responses, theres no need to fit a tiny turbocharger to minimize turbo lag. The weak point in the M112 is the seal of the oil heat exchanger. Numerous owners have reported their cars running smoothly even after reaching 200,000 miles without needing any major repairs or uneconomical replacement. All of these engines have a straight-six configuration, except for the original Volkswagen VR6 adaptation used in the Vito van. The Mercedes-Benz M104 is a straight-6 automobile engine produced from 1989 through 1999. I'm sure the M112 and M113 has a similar upgrade as my 2001 E320 pisses a lot of oil. styling and friendly car banter. 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. Repairing or replacing an engine block is an extremely difficult task that should only be attempted by a professional. The units that are particularly scarce are the 3.4L and the 3.6L variants. The water pump aids in circulating coolant throughout the engine. Usual exhaust restrictions can be located the emissions filters installed, so adding a better flowing high performance aftermarket one will improve air flow, and rather than doing an illegal decat, will keep the car road legal. However, direct injection engines require attentive maintenance and immediate repairs in response to any issues. $50.00. Breathe easy. Like the Jaguars' E-Type, this engine is also somewhat timeless. 3. Nevertheless, there are a lot of advantages to the Mercedes M104 engine. Your Constructive comments on this article, I really want to improve this article with your help and suggestions. Mercedes M104 make a good tuning project and with carefully chosen sports modifications like remapping, turbo upgrades and camshafts you will substantially increase your driving opportunities. The M256 engines dimensions83.0-mm bore, 92.4-mm stroke, and 90.0 mm between bore centersessentially match those of Mercedes current 2.0-liter inline-four and 4.0-liter V-8 engines (thelast two have a 92.0-mm stroke). (All car owners of all ages and from all countries are welcome). It also came with many options ranging from 2.0-liter to 4.0-liter. These are simply the most common reported issues we found for the M104 series. Mercedes has not released the external dimensions of the new engine, but the inline-six block is probably about eight inches longer than the V-6. The M104 E28 2.8-liter engine is the smallest engine of the M104 series. We think this one is common sense, but you'll need to match your fuel injector to the type of fuel your car uses as well. Also, with the intake and exhaust systems on opposite sides of the engine, theres plenty of space to bring the catalytic converters close to the turbocharger, which helps the catalyst achieve operational temperature more quickly after a cold start to reduce emissions. 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. You may need to boost your exhaust if the existing exhaust is actually causing a restriction. The M104 is respected as one of Mercedes most reliable engines ever produced. Customize a car If it is, then you'll need to replace the seal and replenish the lost fluids. (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.). Many Mercedes drivers appreciate the durable construction of these M104s. All of the engines consist of a cast-iron block with an aluminum head. Has a Mercedes-Benz S 320 W140 fit. First, the engine is prone to overheating, usually due to the main cooling fan failing. Mine was overhauled at 420k kms after its second head gasket failure. city 14.0 When the engine is fitted with a turbo tuning mods are going to net you a larger power gain and most turbocharged engines are built using harder and stronger components. New ! Another possible cause of overheating is a failing water pump. Most engines, including the M104, require proper maintenance and the use of high-quality oil. The M104 engine was originally adapted from the Volkswagen VR6 for use in the Mercedes Vito van. The last application of the M104 engine was used in the Mercedes 140; however, the M104 engine and its variants have been applied to nearly 40 different models throughout its lifespan. Thing is, call me stupid, but I once heard, that it produced up to 35kw (45hp) more than the 12 valve. Please use our forums if you wish to ask a tuning question, and please note we do not sell parts or services, we are just an online magazine. 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. Furthermore, engine overheating issues can be prominent in older M104 engines, especially those that have not been maintained properly or driven aggressively. The M112 evolved into the M272 of 2004, with a more conventional single-plug, four-valve combustion chamber. Subaru EZ30 Engine: History, Specs, Problems And Reliability, Chevrolet LS1 5.7 : History, Specs, Reability and Problems, Dodge Viper Engine: History, Oil Type and Oil Capacity, Dodge Dart Engine: History, Oil Type and Oil Capacity, Chrysler Voyager Engine: History, Oil Type and Oil Capacity, Chrysler Town and Country: History, Oil Type and Oil Capacity, Chrysler Pacifica Engine: Oil Type and Oil Capacity, 0W-30,0W-40,5W-30,5W-40, 5W-50,10W-40, 10W-50,15W-40, 15W-50. Related: With Zero Traction This Barra Shelby GT350 Is A Bit Of A Handful. High oil consumption. Head work - The goals of porting and flowing the head are to get air flowing into the engine while removing flow restrictions and turbulence. See details for shipping. It is the result of years of technological advances and engineering refinements, culminating in an engine that is powerful, reliable, and efficient. MERCEDES BENZ 94-99 W124 M104 ENGINE 24V 3.2 CYLINDER HEAD R1040161601 TESTED. The cause of the severe oil consumption is often the wear of valve stem seals. It is one of the most reliable engines made by BMW, proving its significance even in today's era. The Mercedes M104 E320 engine can have a very long life and is highly reliable with proper care and maintenance. The NA inline-6 3.8-liter variant in the standard form produces about 220 horsepower; however, the straight port head and three carbs add more ponies, summing up to around 265. This is usually caused by a faulty gasket or seal and can be fixed by replacing the faulty part. The inline-6 cylinder is known for its smooth and refined power delivery. The Mercedes M104 can be found in the initially introduced 2.8 L ranging upwards to the 3.4L and 3.6L AMG versions. 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. Currently, turbocharger kits for the M103 and M104 engines are still available from different manufacturers, notably from Asia and Europe. The M104s do have a sensitivity to extremely cold climates. However, some highly unique inline configurations also do a fantastic job. 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. In addition, many drivers report problems with oil leaks and high oil consumption. Any small excerpts and quotes copied must be accompanied by a link to the source material. To keep us running PLEASE Donate here. 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. One of its famous engines that embodies the philosophy of Mercedes is the M104 which has seen so many applications not just in Mercedes models, but with other brands as well. Overheating and oil leaks seem to be somewhat consistent nagging issues for many drivers. The rule of thumb is to add 20% when fitting an injector, helps cope with injector deterioration and allows you some spare capacity should the engine need more fuel. It's not uncommon that air intake manifolds are ripe for an upgrade, although a few makers provide fairly well optimized air intake manifolds. Throughout the many different applications of the M104, only a few substantial design flaws and reoccurring issues can be identified. Oil leaks. Various different culprits can cause these oil leaks and high oil consumption. 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. Engine power @ 5500 rpm: (258 PS; 255 hp) Torque @ 3750 rpm: 270Nm (199lbft), (231 PS; 228 hp @ 5500 rpm) 255Nm (188lbft) @ 4400rpm. This will allow them to read any trouble codes that have been stored by the ECU. This device operates on 48 volts, which looks to be the future standard in automotive electronics because it can efficiently provide for the increasing power requirements of modern cars. 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. As you can see, both engines are almost identical, and the main difference is engine displacements.