New to the forum and have found lots of useful info. Thanks! I bought a 1990 350 SDL last summer and have put more than 24,000 trouble free miles on her. She has a little over 167,000 now. I was just wondering how many others are out there who have had good luck with the 603.970 motor. Again, I appreciate the great support from the forum and look forward to becoming a helpful member.

I have a 1991 350SD with 534,000, bought it 11 months ago with 510,000. The carfax report shows it to be real mileage. Unknown whether it's on its original, replaced, or a rebuilt engine. There are two other people in addition to me with 350 SD's or 350 SDL's on this forum with mileage in excess of 500,000.







'94 SL500 44,000
'91 350SD 534,000
'87 300SDL 236,000

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jcciem
'94 SL5000 60,000
'91 350SDL 545,000
'91 350SD 197,000
'00 E55 AMG 77,000

You can use that Russian VIN website to see if the serial number of the engine in your car is the same as the serial number of the engine your car left Sindelfingen with. Or ask any MB dealer to run a VMI on your VIN. They don't charge for a VMI but I don't think they'll do it over the phone. Primary reason to run a VMI is to determine if there are open recalls.

http://old.mbclub.ru/mb/vin/?lng=eng

Brian doesn't need us to be helpful, he needs us to follow the help request guidelines!

Sixto
87 300D

I'm the original (and proud) owner of a 1991 350SDL with 206K miles on it now, original engine, still going strong, no rod issues, I did change the head gasket at 175K miles, best car I have ever owned.

Mine blew up around 150k, before I owned the car.

-Jason

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1991 350SDL. 230,000 miles (new motor @ 150,000). Blown head gasket

Tesla Model 3. 205,000 miles. Been to 48 states!
Past: A fleet of VW TDIs.... including a V10,a Dieselgate Passat, and 2 ECOdiesels.
2014 Cadillac ELR
2013 Fiat 500E.

If you have one of these on the passenger side of the bellhousing you have a replacement engine:



-J

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1991 350SDL. 230,000 miles (new motor @ 150,000). Blown head gasket

Tesla Model 3. 205,000 miles. Been to 48 states!
Past: A fleet of VW TDIs.... including a V10,a Dieselgate Passat, and 2 ECOdiesels.
2014 Cadillac ELR
2013 Fiat 500E.

That particular engine has had some issues. I forget what the exact problem was, but I would contact a dealer to see if any replacements have been made. I know if the car starts burning a lot of oil, that means you are in trouble and the engine could blow up any day. The factory did do some replacements,on some internal parts of the engine that fixed the problems but i cannot remember. All i know is if you call a dealer they will be able to tell you, and if these replacements have been done, then you should be fine for a long time.

one can only assess the 603.971 motor on a car by car basis. I would go ahead andsay that they are not as bad as we think they are.

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Pierre Hedary 1985 280SEL, 1970 111.026 in progress
Mercedes technical advice hotline: 407 765 2867
[servicing older Mercedes in the state of Florida with competence and passion].

From the standpoint of an honest MB technician, Vegetable oil is a threat to your diesel engine's mechanical integrity.

I got mine 3 months ago, 244000 miles, 1 owner... running strong....well maintained...

But, does it have the original engine? Look for the data plate I posted a picture of on the bellhousing.

-J

Where is exactily this plate located?
It is also in the S350TD W140's with replacement engines?

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Jimmy L.
'05 Acura TL 6MT
2001 ML430 My Spare

Gone:
'95 E300 188K "Batmobile" Texas Unfriendly Black
'85 300TD 235K "The Wagon" Texas Friendly White
'80 240D 154K "China" Scar engine installed
'81 300TD 240K "Smash"
'80 240D 230K "The Squash"
'81 240D 293K"Scar" Rear ended harder than Elton John

Exhaust side of the engine where the block flares into the bell housing. Should be the same tag for 603.970 (W126) and 603.971 (W140).

Sixto
87 300D

Thanks.
I will try to discover it (if it is there).
The car has more or less 220000 miles and it runs great. It is only curiosity.

What is a S350TD?

Do you mean 300SD (92-94 W140) or S350 (95 W140)

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91 350SD
14 F150 Eco
19 Fusion Hybrid
11 GT500